It’s not too late to turn your year around – here’s how to set goals for the rest of the year and stick to them

With the final third of the year racing towards us, it can be easy to feel defeated when it comes to goal-setting – especially if the year hasn’t turned out how you’d hoped. While it might be tempting to wait for New Years Eve to set new goals and start afresh, it’s never too late to turn your year around and finish on a high. But there are some key mistakes to avoid when setting goals for the rest of the year.

Once we pass the mid-point of the year, the rest of it seems to come hurtling towards us full speed ahead. If things haven’t panned out in your favour this year, it can be easy to see the whole year as a write-off and wait until the new year to kick new plans into motion. But rather than giving up, there is still time to turn things around and transform the next few months into a time of possibility and potential.

‘Passing the middle of the year can be a wake-up call for many people, when they realize their goals have slipped down the priority list,’ comments Elizabeth Brody, a goal-setting and mindset expert and founder of Vistara Board. ‘But abandoning a goal halfway through the year is just a sign that the goal wasn’t designed in a way that supported lasting change.’

‘People wait for the perfect moment or a sudden surge of motivation, but real transformation comes from creating alignment between what you want and the actions you take every day,’ she continues. ‘Now is the perfect time for reconnecting with your intentions, learning what hasn’t worked, and building a realistic path forward that makes progress feel achievable.’

5 mistakes to avoid when setting goals for the rest of the year

1. Don’t set goals without defining the steps to get there

‘One of the biggest reasons people lose momentum is that they set goals based only on the end result,’ Elizabeth explains. ‘They focus on what they want to achieve but don’t define what they actually need to do consistently to make it happen. A goal like “get promoted,” “lose weight,” “start a business,” or “save more money” doesn’t tell you what actions need to happen this week or today. Without clear steps, it’s easy to feel like you’re making no progress because the finish line feels too far away.’

‘Successful goal-setting starts with creating a system that helps you move forward regularly,’ she continues. ‘A person who wants to get promoted, for example, might need to build relationships with key people at work, improve specific skills, or take on projects that increase their visibility. The goal becomes much easier to achieve when it’s connected to repeatable behaviors rather than just a wish.’

What to do now: ‘Turn your big goal into smaller actions that you can repeat every week,’ Elizabeth suggests. ‘Instead of saying “I want to get promoted,” decide what measurable steps will move you closer, such as having two conversations with key colleagues or stakeholders each week, completing a training course by a certain date, or asking your manager for feedback once a month.’

‘Ask yourself: “What would someone who has already achieved this goal do regularly?”, then build those actions into your schedule,’ she adds. ‘The goal should have a clear outcome, but your focus should be on the daily and weekly habits that make that outcome more likely.’

2. Avoid planning too far ahead without creating checkpoints

‘Many people set goals with a deadline that feels too distant, such as “I’ll achieve this by December,” and then assume they have plenty of time to make progress,’ Elizabeth comments. ‘The problem is that a long timeline can make goals feel less urgent, which makes it easier to put off taking action. When there are no checkpoints along the way, you can go months without realizing that your plan isn’t working. By the time you notice you’ve fallen behind, the goal can feel overwhelming, and people give up completely.’

What to do now: ‘Break your next few months into smaller goals with clear milestones along the way,’ Elizabeth suggests. ‘Instead of waiting until the end of the year to see if you’ve succeeded, create checkpoints every two weeks where you review what’s working, what needs changing, and what actions you need to prioritize next. At each checkpoint, ask yourself: “Am I closer to my goal than I was two weeks ago?” If the answer is no, don’t see it as a failure. Use it as information that helps you adjust your approach before you lose more time.’

3. Don’t treat setbacks as proof you aren’t disciplined enough

‘A common reason people abandon their goals is that they mistake a setback for a sign that they aren’t capable of achieving what they want,’ says Elizabeth. ‘They miss a few workouts, fall behind on a project, or have a week where they don’t follow their plan, then decide they’ve failed.’

‘Setbacks are a normal part of any meaningful goal,’ she continues. ‘Busy periods at work, travel, illness, family commitments, stress, and low-energy days are all predictable parts of life. The problem isn’t that obstacles happen; it’s that many people don’t have a plan for what they’ll do when they appear.’

What to do now: ‘Build a fall-back plan before you need one,’ Elizabeth suggests. ‘If you’re trying to exercise regularly, decide in advance what your “minimum version” looks like during busy weeks. It could be a 20-minute workout instead of an hour at the gym, or a short walk instead of skipping movement completely. The same approach works for any goal. Create a backup routine that keeps you connected to the habit, even when life gets difficult. Progress doesn’t require perfection, but it does require consistency and the ability to get back on track.’

4. Avoid trying to achieve goals alone without accountability

‘Many people keep their goals private because they believe success depends entirely on personal motivation, but trying to stay committed without any outside support can make it much easier to lose focus, especially when motivation naturally dips,’ Elizabeth explains. ‘Having someone to share the journey with creates accountability and makes the process feel less isolating. That person doesn’t need to have the same goal as you, they simply need to be working toward something meaningful themselves and willing to check in regularly.’

What to do now: ‘Find an accountability partner who also has a goal they’re working toward, even if it’s completely different from yours,’ Elizabeth recommends. ‘Set up a specific conversation where you both define what you’re trying to achieve, what success looks like and the timeframe you’re working toward. Remember, a goal needs a measurable outcome and a deadline. “I want to get healthier” is a wish, but “I want to run a 5K by October and train three times a week” gives you something concrete to work toward.

‘After that,’ she adds, ‘schedule a check-in every two weeks, either in person or virtually, to discuss progress, challenges, and next steps. Having someone who can encourage you, challenge you, and celebrate your wins can make a huge difference.’

5. Visualize the goal – and actually believe it’s achievable

‘Visualization can sometimes be dismissed as unrealistic or just positive thinking, but creating a clear mental picture of what you’re working toward can be a powerful part of staying motivated,’ Elizabeth tells us. ‘When people can imagine themselves achieving a goal, it becomes easier to connect their everyday actions with the future they want. A lack of belief is one of the biggest barriers to progress. If someone secretly believes their goal is unrealistic, they’re far more likely to avoid the actions needed to achieve it or give up when challenges appear.’

What to do now: ‘Spend time regularly visualizing what achieving your goal will look like,’ Elizabeth suggests. ‘Think about the details: how you’ll feel, what your daily life will look like, what changes you’ll notice, and what you’ll be able to do that you can’t do now. Then connect that vision to your actions. Each week, ask yourself what small steps will move you closer to that future version of yourself.’

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