Start Small, Win Big — The Power of Realistic Goals

Start Small, Win Big — The Power of Realistic Goals

May 07, 20253 min read

home

blog

Let me hit you with a hard truth: you’re not failing because you’re lazy or undisciplined.

You’re failing because you keep setting yourself up to fail with goals that are way too big, too fast.

Sound familiar? You decide this is the week you’ll overhaul your entire life—work out 6 days, eat only “clean” foods, hit 10k steps, meditate, journal, cook every meal, and read a damn self-help book too. Day two hits and… you’re overwhelmed, exhausted, and back on the couch with Netflix and a bag of chips wondering why you “have no willpower.”

Here’s the deal: setting unrealistic goals doesn’t make you ambitious—it makes you frustrated.

And guess what?

When you never experience what success feels like, you never build the confidence to keep going.

Want to change that? You’ve got to stack small wins. Here's how:

eat more fiber

🔹 1. Shrink the goal until it’s laughably doable.

If your goal is “work out 5x a week,” try “move my body for 10 minutes, 3 times this week.” Doesn’t sound like much? GOOD. You’re more likely to do it, which means you’ll win. And success breeds more success

🔹 2. Choose “add” over “restrict.”

Stop asking what to cut. Ask what you can add. Leslie, one of our members in the Girl Gang Headquarters says it best:
"My favorite trick is to eat what I want but add what I need! If I’m craving a big scoop of PB, I try to make sure I add an apple!"

Simple. Sustainable. That’s how you build momentum.

🔹 3. Track your wins, not your slip-ups.

Get a sticky note, a calendar, a journal—whatever. Every time you follow through on a habit, put a check mark, sticker, or smiley face. Watch that streak grow. You’ll be amazed how motivating it is to SEE your consistency stack up.

🔹 4. Ask yourself: “What’s the next right step?”

Not the perfect step. Not the biggest step. The NEXT one. Drink some water. Go for a walk. Put your phone down and go to bed on time. One tiny choice at a time is how you change your entire life.

🔹 5. Get support from people who get it.

Trying to do this alone is a recipe for burnout. In the Girl Gang Headquarters, you’re surrounded by women doing the same work—showing up, setting realistic goals, and cheering each other on through every win.


support your local girl gang

In my coaching program, Girl Gang Headquarters, we do things differently. Inside the GGHQ is the Momentum Blueprint where you don’t force yourself into a one-size-fits-nobody plan. You choose your own goal based on where you are, not where you wish you were.

The Momentum Blueprint is made up of six simple steps—each one a healthy habit built around the idea of MORE:

More protein. More sleep. More steps. More strength. More joy. More wins.

Because change should feel empowering, not like punishment.

So let me ask you this: Are you ready to stop chasing unrealistic goals and start winning the day instead?

Because that is how confident, badass women are built.


👉👉👉Looking for more support in your health journey? The Girl Gang has room for more! Check out my coaching services page to learn more and hit the button for a free consultation if you've got more questions!

Coach Kristin Petrony is a personal trainer in Nashville, TN. She believes in female empowerment through strength training and fueling women's bodies to do incredible things.

Coach Kristin Petrony

Coach Kristin Petrony is a personal trainer in Nashville, TN. She believes in female empowerment through strength training and fueling women's bodies to do incredible things.

Instagram logo icon
Youtube logo icon
Back to Blog