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.