Why one-year goals aren’t always the answer
Setting goals is great. It gives you direction, structure, and a solid excuse to buy a new planner that you’ll forget about in a month. But what if I told you that all those big one-year goals might actually be doing more harm than good? What if that “perfect plan” is actually holding you back?
The illusion of control
A year seems like plenty of time to achieve anything. “In twelve months, I’ll be landing double loops, growing my business, and probably learning a new language.” But reality? Windless weeks, injuries, life throwing curveballs. One-year goals assume a smooth, predictable path—when in reality, life is just one chaotic kite session. Sometimes you fly, sometimes you crash hard.
The "all or nothing" trap
The pressure to achieve something within a year can be paralyzing. Let’s say you want to become an insanely good kitesurfer. But six months in, you're still struggling with your first clean backroll. Instead of celebrating progress, you think, “Damn, I’m behind.” And that’s where long-term goals often fail. If the end goal feels too big or too far away, motivation takes a hit.
Small, flexible goals win every time
So what actually works? Small, adaptable goals. Things you can focus on tomorrow. For example: “This week, I’ll practice my pop five times per session.” Or, “I’ll analyze my crashes and adjust one thing.” These kinds of goals are achievable, give quick wins, and keep progress flowing.
Why falling in love with the process changes everything
If your goal is just about the finish line, you’ll miss out on how fun the journey can be. The best kitesurfers (and entrepreneurs, and athletes) are the ones who get addicted to the process. Not to some distant goal in the future, but to the small steps, the learning curves, and the moments when things finally click.
Don’t dismiss the one-year goal just yet
Even though I just trashed one-year goals, they do serve a purpose. They provide structure, direction, and a reason to push yourself a little further than you normally would. Sometimes, setting an insane goal is better than having no goal at all. The trick is to not get too attached to the timeline. If you treat your one-year goal as a flexible vision rather than a rigid deadline, it can help you stay focused while still allowing for setbacks, detours, and unexpected opportunities. It’s not about where you are in exactly twelve months—it’s about how much progress you’ve made along the way.
Focus on now
One-year goals sound impressive, but real progress happens in what you do today. So instead of stressing about where you need to be in a year, ask yourself: what can I do right now to get better?
Speaking of which… I’m heading out for a session.
xox Berit