Now that we are in 2025, it is a great time to set yourself some goals. At any time of the year, you can and should set new goals and refine old ones as needed. Let’s learn about the different types of goals.

 

Your Why

 

Firstly, I think it is very important to think about your reasons why.

 

Ask yourself:

 

“How will this improve my life?”

 

“What is important to me?”

 

“What type of person do I want to be?”

 

This is because our actions should be an extension of our values and character. If we set goals which do not fit who we are, they are likely to fail. Secondly, by understanding the importance of our goals, this will help us to have the discipline to continue when we are challenged. We like to set ambitious goals for ourselves, but if we set them without considering why they are important, we are likely to give up when things get difficult, or we start to doubt if we can achieve them. Our actions define us, so we need to believe that they will be worth the hard work and sacrifice!

 

Outcome Goals

 

Outcome goals focus on the result you want to achieve. They are typically external and measurable.

 

Examples: “Win a powerlifting competition” or “Increase my squat by 20kg by March” or “Lose 10kg of fat in 5 months”

 

The advantage of outcome goals is that the end-result is often very motivating. However, your success often depends on factors that are outside of your control such as genetics. If you reach a point where you no longer believe these goals can be completed, then you will lose a lot of this motivation.

 

Process Goals

 

Process goals are actions or behaviours required to achieve a desired outcome.

 

Examples: “Go to the gym and train hard 3 days per week” or “Eat 150g of protein per day” or “Complete MyFitnessPal food diary every day”

 

These emphasise daily habits that are within your control. The disadvantage is that these goals can often seem mundane and unexciting. However, you should see them as necessary steps to achieve your outcome goals. If outcome goals are the destination, then process goals are the journey planner app that directs you there!

 

Do Your Best Goals

 

These are general and lack clear measures of success, allowing you to try your hardest without pressure to achieve specific outcomes.

 

Examples: “Do your best to improve your squat technique over the next 3 months” or “Do your best to eat more high protein and natural foods.”

 

These lower stress but lacks specific goals and steps that can guide your actions. They can be useful when you are a beginner or unsure of how much you can progress. There are many things you can’t control, but you can always control the effort you put in!

 

Open Goals

 

Open goals emphasise exploration, enjoyments and adaptability, without a predefined target. They allow flexibility and discovery during the process.

 

Example: “See how far I can progress with my strength training or fat loss over the next year.”

 

These encourage creativity and can be motivating. But they can lack the structure of outcome or process goals. They can be ideal for reducing pressure or avoiding burnout.

 

It can be tempting to dismiss Do Your Best and Open goals, especially if you are used to SMART goals. However, research has shown that all types of goals can be effective, depending on the individual and situation, they are all tools that can be used at the right time.

 

Short Term Goals

 

Short term goals are objectives that can be achieved in a relatively short period, such as days, weeks or months. They act as stepping stones towards long-term goals.

 

Example: “Increase my bench press by 2.5kg next week” or “Lose 1kg of fat in 3 weeks” or “Eat less than 1700kcal today”

 

These can be ideal for breaking up your long-term goals, building momentum and making them feel more manageable. This is like the proverb: ‘The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.’

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By understanding the different types of goals, you can set yourself up for success in 2025 and beyond.

 

I wish you all success with your goals this year!