How to Use Journaling to Set & Achieve Your Goals

Ever feel like no matter how hard you try, your goals always seem just out of reach? You’re putting in the effort, staying busy, yet somehow progress feels slow—or worse, non-existent. The good news? You’re not alone, and there’s a simple solution you might be overlooking. It’s not another to-do list or a new productivity hack—it’s journaling!

Yes, you read that right. Journaling can be the game-changing tool you need to turn your goals into reality. Whether you’re working on a personal dream or a career milestone, putting pen to paper can help you gain clarity, focus, and momentum. Today, I’m going to walk you through how journaling can take you from feeling stuck to achieving your goals faster than you thought possible. Ready to crush some goals? Keep reading!

Step 1: Get Clear on What Really Matters to You

The first step in using journaling for goal-setting is figuring out what truly matters to you. Sit down with your journal and ask yourself, "What is my biggest goal right now?" Take a moment to reflect and write it down. This is your space to dream as big as you want. Once it’s written on paper, your goal will feel more real and attainable.

And here's a little insider tip: when you write it down, it’s like you’re telling the universe you’re serious. You’re making your goals a priority. And trust me, once they’re a priority, you’re halfway there!

Step 2: Break It Down Into Bite-Sized Pieces

Big dreams are exciting, but let’s be honest—they can also feel overwhelming. That’s why the next step is to break your goal down into smaller, manageable steps. Think of it as creating a personal roadmap. Write down a few small actions you can take today, this week, or even this month. Each action, no matter how small, brings you closer to achieving that big goal.

For example, if your goal is to launch a new business, a small step might be researching a business name or setting up a website. Write it down and get excited—it’s the start of something amazing! If your goal is to get in better shape, start small by committing to a 10-minute daily walk or swapping sugary drinks for water. These tiny adjustments can build momentum toward bigger fitness goals, like running a 5K or joining a gym.

Or maybe you’ve always wanted to learn a new skill, like cooking. Begin by trying one new recipe each week or watching a 10-minute tutorial online. As you gain confidence, you can start experimenting with more complex dishes or even take a local cooking class. Breaking your goals into small, manageable steps makes achieving them feel more doable and exciting!

Step 3: Track Your Progress

Here’s where the real magic happens—tracking your progress. Use your journal to jot down the steps you’ve taken, what’s working, and where you might need to adjust. Reflect on this regularly, maybe once a week or month. Not only does this help hold you accountable, but it also gives you a chance to celebrate each small win. Yes, every step forward counts! And those little wins? They add up fast!

Step 4: Visualize Your Success

Let’s take a moment to dream. Visualizing yourself achieving your goal is a powerful technique that keeps you connected to your vision, even when the journey feels tough. Close your eyes and picture what your life will look like once you’ve reached your goal. How do you feel? What has changed for the better? Now, write it down in your journal as if it’s already happened. You’ll be surprised how much this boosts your motivation to keep going.

Step 5: Celebrate Every Win—Big or Small

Every step forward is worth celebrating, no matter how minor it may seem. Use your journal to record your victories and reflect on how far you’ve come. Whether it’s hitting a milestone or completing a task you’ve been putting off, take a moment to appreciate it. You deserve it!

Let’s Achieve Our Goals Together

Whether you're working toward personal or professional goals, journaling is a powerful tool to help you gain clarity, stay focused, and track your progress. It allows you to break down big dreams into manageable steps and celebrate each win along the way. The best part? Journaling is something you can start today, no matter where you are in your journey.

If you’re ready to take your goal-setting to the next level, I highly recommend checking out my Unstoppable journal. It’s designed to inspire and motivate you as you pursue your dreams. With simple empowering messages on each page, you’ll have a daily reminder that you can achieve anything you set your mind to. You can find it on my website —let’s make your goals a reality, one page at a time.

And if you're new to journaling or looking for a little extra guidance, grab my free journal prompts for Achieving Goals. You can also head over to my Journaling for Beginners playlist on YouTube and check that out. It's full of helpful tips and inspiration to kick-start your journaling journey and keep you motivated along the way. Let’s make your journaling practice the foundation for an unstoppable future!