Moving Beyond Stuck: Three Honest Questions and Small Steps Lead to Big Purpose

Why SMART Goals Aren't Enough to Unleash Your Potential

Recently, I spoke to a room full of ambitious women at an entrepreneurial conference  about purpose, potential, and goals. The energy in that room was electric—there’s  nothing quite like being surrounded by people buzzing with big ideas and dreams. It  reminded me of my own journey, especially the inner tug-of-war I felt for years between  playing it safe and leaning into what truly called me. 

I used to think goals needed to be “SMART” (specific, measurable, achievable,  relevant, and time-bound). And while that structure does help build momentum, it can  also shrink your dreams if you’re not careful. For years, I was stuck on what was  realistic, never daring to reach beyond what felt safe. It made my life... well, just okay.  But okay isn’t what any of us truly want. 

Finding My Purpose: The Moment I Decided to Stop Playing It Safe  

It took me some time—and plenty of trial and error—to realize that goals need to feel  bold and a little scary. If your goals don’t give you butterflies and make you slightly  nervous, you’re probably not stretching far enough. It’s only when we have skin in the  game—when achieving something actually means something to us—that we awaken  our true potential. 

What struck me at that entrepreneurial conference wasn’t just the number of big  dreamers, but how many felt stuck by a lack of clarity. The real issue wasn’t ambition; it  was uncovering what truly mattered to them and believing they were worthy of it. I saw  it in myself years ago—afraid to articulate what I wanted because it felt selfish,  unrealistic, or simply too risky. Instead, I focused on what I didn’t want, and not  surprisingly, I just kept getting more of that. 

For a long time, I ignored that quiet nudge in my heart, the one that whispered there’s  “more” for me, more than just performing well at a job that didn’t light me up. It  eventually became a dull ache, reminding me that I was off track. When that ache gets  too loud to ignore, that’s your purpose calling. 

Three Honest Questions Revealing Purpose  

So, I started to ask myself some hard questions: 

• Can I really be content living safe but never feeling fully alive? 

• How would my life look if I truly knew I was on the right path?

• What would I choose today if I had full clarity about who I’m here to be? 

The answers weren’t about money or status—they were about feelings. Freedom.  Energetic days, excitement, genuine joy from helping others. Slowly, opportunities  began to appear: I was invited to train sales teams, speak at conferences, and produce  events. One step led to another, even if the path wasn’t always clear. 

Purpose isn’t about a single destination. It evolves as you evolve. It’s about  reconnecting to the dreams you buried under busy schedules and responsibilities and  finally giving them air to breathe. 

The Five-Step Process to Move Beyond Stuck  

If you’re feeling stuck, try this five-step process that became my roadmap: 

1. Cultivate a desire to live more fully. Let yourself want more. Desire sparks  decisions, and every change starts with making a new choice. 

2. Be ready to take action. Even small, imperfect steps lead to clarity and  progress. Don’t wait for the whole path to light up. 

3. Find a mentor or guide. You don’t have to do this alone. Seek out community,  support, and feedback. 

4. Stay open and adjust as you go. Your purpose isn’t set in stone—it grows as  you do. Allow yourself to update your path. 

5. Start living it today. Tiny changes in how you spend your time or who you  surround yourself with create big shifts over time. 

You don’t have to see the whole staircase—just take the first step. That nudge you  feel? It’s not random. It’s your soul calling you to something bigger. 

Promise yourself to take one small action today. From where I stand, on the other side  of “just okay,” I can tell you: It’s more than worth it.

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