Set a Goal to Completely Stop Doing Something That Doesn’t Serve You

Sometimes the fastest way to accelerate your personal growth isn’t by adding something new — it’s by removing something that’s holding you back.

For some, that might mean quitting alcohol completely. For others, it might mean cutting out sugar, fast food, or late-night social media scrolling. For me, I set a goal to completely stop watching TV or movies at home — unless it was a planned date night.  There’s nothing wrong with watching TV or movies, per se. For me, this goal made a lot of sense because I found that it increased my energy and allowed me to spend more time talking with friends, working out, and listening to audiobooks which were all much more rewarding for me. 

Picking a goal of completely removing something not serving you from your life is one of the most powerful examples of personal development goals because it’s decisive. You’re not negotiating with yourself every day. You’ve drawn a line, and now your energy can be redirected toward activities that fuel growth.

Pro Tip: When you stop doing something, replace it with a positive habit. If you quit TV, you might spend that time reading, learning a new skill, or starting a fitness program.

Set a Goal to Limit Something to a Specific Frequency

Some self improvement goals work best when you limit rather than eliminate. Instead of saying, “I’ll never drink wine again,” I decided I would only have wine on special occasions.

This type of goal strengthens your self-discipline and helps you develop a growth mindset. You’re proving to yourself that you can enjoy something in moderation without letting it control you.

That said, if a habit is truly harmful or addictive, complete elimination may be the better choice. But for many behaviors, creating boundaries can restore balance without extremes.

Set a Goal For Regular Movement / Working Out

Physical health is the foundation for all other personal development goals. When your body is strong and energized, you think more clearly, work more effectively, and feel more confident.   To that end, set a goal that’s achievable and realistic for you related to regular movement or workouts. 

For me, that means strength training at least three days a week and doing pool training once a week. You might prefer yoga, cycling, running, or dancing.

Best Practice: Set specific, measurable goals rather than vague intentions. Instead of “get fit,” try “do 30 minutes of strength training three times a week.” These are the kinds of self improvement goals that stick because they’re clear and trackable.

See my guide to building a fitness system that works

Set a Goal To Do A Certain Beneficial Activity Every Single Day

Some habits are so valuable they deserve a daily commitment. There is a lot of power in picking something that’s so important to you that you do it every single day.  You don’t have to remember if today is the day you need to execute that goal. It’s just something you’re going to do every single day, no matter what.  For me, that goal is walking every day — it helps me think, relax, and maintain a healthy weight.

Other great examples of personal development goals you can do daily include:

• Meditating for 10 minutes

   

• Writing in a gratitude journal

   

• Reading for 20 minutes

   

• Practicing a musical instrument

   

When you commit to a daily personal growth habit, the compounding effect over time is massive.  

Here’s how I use my morning smoothie habit to create big life changes

Set a Big, Challenging Achievement Goal

Growth happens when you push beyond your comfort zone. A powerful self improvement goal is to choose something that feels ambitious — maybe even intimidating — and commit to achieving it.  Set a goal to do something that is going to challenge you. Picking something very unique that you choose to do over a longer period of time is more powerful than something which is very easy but done more frequently. For example, you might pick a challenge growth goal that you are going to execute during the calendar year. 

For me, that meant a multi-day hike in the Grand Canyon with extreme elevation changes and unpredictable weather. It required months of training and preparation but left me with an incredible sense of accomplishment.

Your challenge could be:

• Running a marathon

   

• Giving a TEDx talk

   

• Writing a book

   

• Learning a new language

   

Why getting uncomfortable at a wellness retreat is one of the fastest way to grow

Set A Goal Around Investing in Relationships

Your personal development goals shouldn’t only be about you — they should also include nurturing the relationships that matter most.  Investing time and energy in others ultimately strengthens relationships, karma makes you happy, karma improves your emotional health, and is going to help you achieve your own goals as well. 

One of my goals this year was to write 10 handwritten notes to friends and colleagues every month. This small gesture can deepen connections in a way that texts and emails rarely do.

Whether it’s scheduling regular calls, hosting small gatherings, or mentoring someone, the best growth mindset goals often involve lifting others up.

How to deepen relationships through intentional connection at a mental health wellness retreat

Set A Goal To Show Up for People You Care About

Beyond keeping in touch, there’s the power of physically showing up. For me, that meant flying to visit family more often than usual.

Showing up can mean attending milestones, offering help in person, or simply spending uninterrupted time together. These are the moments that strengthen bonds — and they’re worth building into your personal growth plan.

Learn a New Skill That Benefits Your Future

One of the best goals for personal development is continuous learning. This year, you might:

• Learn a professional skill to advance your career

   

• Take up cooking for healthier eating

   

• Develop financial literacy to better manage money

   

Pick a skill that excites you and aligns with where you want to be in the next 1–5 years. When you build skills intentionally, you’re investing in your future self.

Set A Goal to Improve Your Morning or Evening Routine

Your daily routines set the tone for your personal growth journey.

Some examples of personal development goals in this area include:

• Waking up 30 minutes earlier to focus on a passion project

   

• Journaling before bed to reflect and unwind

   

• Replacing late-night scrolling with reading

   

These small changes in your routines often create a ripple effect, improving productivity, focus, and overall life satisfaction.

Set A Goal to Practice Gratitude Consistently

Gratitude is one of the simplest but most transformative self improvement goals you can set. It shifts your mindset toward positivity and resilience.  I find it’s easiest for me to incorporate gratitude daily when I’m journaling and also during my weekly yoga practice. 

You might:

• Write down three things you’re grateful for each night

   

• Verbally express appreciation to someone each day

   

• Keep a weekly gratitude journal

   

With consistent practice, gratitude reshapes your perspective and strengthens your emotional well-being.

How to Make These Goals Stick

To succeed with your personal development goals, follow these steps:

1. Be Specific – Vague goals fail; clarity wins.

    

2. Start Small – Build momentum with manageable steps.

    

3. Track Progress – Use a journal or app to see your improvements.

    

4. Celebrate Wins – Recognize small victories along the way.

    

5. Stay Flexible – Adjust your approach without abandoning your goals.

    

Final Thoughts

Personal development isn’t about perfection — it’s about intentional progress. You don’t have to tackle all 10 of these personal development goals at once. Start with one or two that resonate most with your life right now, and commit to them fully.

Over time, these changes don’t just improve what you do — they transform who you are.

See all my personal development articles here