How to Set a Practical North Star Goal for 2024

Achieving your biggest goals doesn’t have to feel impossible. You just need the right approach to get there. The secret? Setting a North Star goal that defines your focus, then creating a clear, actionable plan to reach it. Most people hope for success but lack a blueprint. Let’s change that.

Here’s how to set practical goals and turn them into life-changing results.

What Is a North Star Goal?

A North Star goal is your single most important objective. It’s the ultimate outcome you want to achieve within a given time frame. Think of it as your guiding light.

But here’s the catch: to make progress, your North Star goal needs two qualities. First, it should feel challenging yet doable. Second, it must have a meaningful impact on your life. There’s no point chasing something unless it truly matters.

For example, doubling your income, finding a fulfilling relationship, or achieving peak fitness could all serve as transformative goals.

The ideal timeline for a North Star goal is anywhere between six months and five years. Six months is enough to see real progress, while five years lets you completely reset your life if necessary. Anything beyond five years? Life’s too unpredictable for that.

So, what’s the one outcome you want to achieve in the next six months, one year, or five years?

Push Yourself Without Overestimating

Here’s the truth: most people either don’t dream big enough or expect too much too soon.

If you’re underestimating what you can do, stretch yourself. You might be holding back out of fear or self-doubt. On the other hand, if you’re naturally a “big dreamer” but haven’t followed through on much, it’s time to recalibrate.

The key to success is self-awareness. Be honest about where you’re starting from and what you’re willing to do to move forward. Don’t know where to start? Ask for feedback from someone who knows you well.

Break Your Goal Down

Let’s use an example: you want to go from earning $2,000 a month to $10,000 a month as a freelancer in six months. A huge leap, right? Here’s how to do it without feeling overwhelmed.

1. Split the Goal into Milestones
   Achieving $10,000 a month overnight isn’t realistic, so break it into smaller steps:

   • Month 1: $3,000
   • Month 2: $4,000
   • Month 3: $5,000
   • Month 4: $6,000
   • Month 5: $8,000
   • Month 6: $10,000

   The point isn’t perfection. It’s about having benchmarks to track your progress.

2. Focus on Inputs, Not Just Outcomes
   Goals like “make $10,000 a month” depend on factors outside your control, like client decisions. That’s why you need to identify the inputs—the actions entirely within your control—that will lead to that result.

   For freelancers, the most important input might be the number of pitches sent. More pitches equal more opportunities, which increases your chance of hitting financial targets.

3. Turn Monthly Goals Into Daily Habits
   Let’s say you decide to send 200 pitches in your first month. That’s 50 per week or 10 per day if you’re working five days a week. Breaking it down like this makes the work feel manageable and removes decision fatigue.

   Each day, your first task should be sending those 10 pitches. Before working on anything else—content creation, branding, or social media—send your pitches. Hit this target first, then focus on other tasks.

Daily habits build momentum. Momentum builds success.

Analyze and Optimize

Tracking progress isn’t glamorous, but it’s essential. At the end of each month, ask two key questions:

1. Did I Reach My Input Target?
   If you said you’d send 200 pitches, did you actually do it? Most people fail here. They set targets and then find endless excuses for falling short. Don’t be that person. If you didn’t hit your input goal, figure out why. Was it unrealistic? Was your time poorly managed? Adjust and move forward.

2. Did My Inputs Lead to the Desired Outcome?
   If you sent 200 pitches but didn’t earn $3,000, look deeper. Was your pitch ineffective? Were you targeting the wrong clients? Identify bottlenecks and tweak your approach.

If your pitch isn’t converting, experiment with different messaging. If your emails aren’t getting responses, consider a new platform like LinkedIn.

Struggling to spot the issue? Reach out to an expert for insight. Most experienced professionals are happy to help when they see you’ve put in the effort.

The difference between success and failure often comes down to this step: recognizing what’s working, fixing what’s not, and staying consistent.

The Power of Consistency

Consistency isn’t glamorous, but it’s everything. Whether it’s sending pitches, going to the gym, or saving money, small daily actions compound over time.

Yes, life will get in the way. You’ll mess up. But don’t let one bad day derail you. Adjust your environment, schedule, or goals if needed. The key is resetting quickly and staying on track.

Here’s a simple truth: most people fail because they give up too soon. They expect progress to come faster than it does. But meaningful change takes time. Stay consistent, and you’ll be amazed at what’s possible.

Don’t Waste Your Effort

Here’s one more lesson: if you find you’re not following through, it’s better to shift gears than waste years pretending.

If hitting your North Star goal requires something you just won’t or can’t do, pick a new goal that excites you. Life’s too short to chase things that don’t align with your actions and values.

Conclusion

Goal-setting doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by identifying one meaningful North Star goal. Break it into steps, focus on inputs you control, and commit to consistent action.

When things don’t go as planned, evaluate why, adjust, and keep moving forward. This approach turns dreams into practical outcomes, one daily habit at a time.

Whatever your goal is—financial freedom, better health, stronger relationships—you can make it happen. But you have to start.

What’s your North Star for 2024? Get clear on it today, and let it guide everything you do.