Yes, every one else is saying to have big, BIG goals.

But I’m saying your goals are TOO BIG if. . .

. . . if you are not achieving these goals.

Let me give you an example. Here’s what happens to me.

I have these BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals). And they look good on paper. And they sound impressive to friends.

(And maybe that’s one reason I have these BHAGs – to impress other people.)

Here’s one BHAG of mine. I want to hike the Appalachian Trail – 2,190 miles – a humongous 4 or 5 month journey. A great opportunity to video blog and LIVE stream on social media. And a significant spiritual journey.

On my BHAG list, this has a high (10+) coolness rating. But it does not motivate me EVERY day even though I have a 4-foot map of the entire Appalachian Trail mounted on the wall in my bedroom.

And I see it every morning and every evening.

This goal is big enough to be a talking point with friends. But TOO BIG to be a DAILY motivation that creates action EVERY day.

TOO BIG. And the completion date is too far in the future. There is no immediate pressure or sense of urgency to this goal.

On the other hand, a smaller health and fitness goal I have is to fit into a newly purchased bright yellow fitness shirt. It’s intentionally tight. And I want to look really good wearing it. A simple vanity goal.

Right now I look pretty awful in it. Even embarrassing.

So I take a picture in it EVERY week, sometimes every day. And post it in a folder on my computer. A simple and quick daily reminder of my goal just “to look good in a yellow fitness shirt.”

In fact, just looked at it again. BEFORE I eat lunch. You get the idea.

It’s a simple goal within my reach. And I’m tracking my daily progress. It’s not a BHAG, but it keeps me on track daily. It (the yellow fitness shirt hanging in my bedroom) is a clear visual reminder and keeps me tracking what I eat daily in my 30 day Optavia Guide and food journal. And this simple goal keeps me connected weekly to my Transformation Coach, Kristti.

I understand the psychology behind the failure of BIG goals. These enticing BHAGs excite us occasionally. And are impressive to share with friends. But they are too long-term (too distant) to motivate us into daily action which is what you need to reach your goals.

You’re smart.

And I’m sure you already knew this. But you and I have been seduced by the “10+ coolness factor” of the BIG GOAL.

And we have forgotten about the simple and boring and unexciting daily small goals (those micro-habits and micro-goals).

Those micro-habits that create the needed motivation for daily micro-actions that eventually get us to our BHAGs.

BIG GOALS have their place. So keep your BHAG list. And grow it.

Yes, have an exciting Bucket List. And share it with others.

But do not forget the little guys. Remember to feed your small goals. Daily.

Just like feeding your gold fish. And watering your plant.

Don’t be seduced by those BIG GOALS.

Instead, feed those little guys. Daily. They will take you to your BHAGs.