The power of setting micro goals
Your plans don't need to be huge to make a difference
Gary Bloomer | SHAKING THE TREE # 302
The power of the small win: why micro goals are your secret weapon
If you’re obsessed with “crushing it,” “scaling big,” and “10x-ing” everything you touch and you’re not seeing results, I urge you to slow down, stop, and take stock.
The truth that all the high performer don’t tell you in the high-performance seminars is that big goals are terrifying. In fact, they are often the very thing paralyzing your progress. When you stare at a mountain, your brain doesn’t see a path; it sees a reason to stay in the tent.
If you’re feeling stuck, it’s likely because your goals are too heavy to lift. It’s time to stop chasing the horizon and start looking at your feet. It’s time for the micro goal.
Understand that ambition can be an anchor
We’ve been conditioned to think that if a goal isn’t “BHAG” (Big Hairy Audacious Goal), it isn’t worth pursuing. But massive goals often lead to massive procrastination. When the gap between where you are and where you want to be is a canyon, your survival instinct kicks in and tells you to play it safe. Micro goals bridge that canyon. They turn a daunting marathon into a series of manageable sprints, removing the intimidation factor that keeps you glued to your chair.
Shrink the timeline to increase the urgency
A goal that needs to be finished by the end of the month is a goal that won’t get started until the 28th. A micro goal, however, lives in the “now.” Instead of saying, “I’m going to write a white paper this week,” try, “I’m going to outline the first three bullet points before I get my next cup of coffee.” By shrinking the timeline, you eliminate the luxury of “doing it later.” You create a sense of immediate consequence and, more importantly, immediate reward.
Focus on the dopamine of the done list
There is a profound psychological shift that happens when you cross something off a list. Every time you complete a task—no matter how small—your brain releases a hit of dopamine. This isn’t just about feeling good; it’s about fuel. When you set and hit five micro goals in an hour, you build a “success momentum” that makes the sixth task feel inevitable. You aren’t just working; you’re winning. And winning is addictive.
Lower the bar to get over the hump
If you’re struggling to start, your bar is too high. If you can’t write a page, write a paragraph. If you can’t write a paragraph, write a sentence. If you can’t write a sentence, open the document and type the title. The goal of a micro goal isn’t the output itself—it’s the act of overcoming inertia. Once you set up systems and processes to keep you on track, it become easier to keep moving forward.
The hardest part of any journey is the first six inches of movement.
The Gary Bloomer takeaway: Stop waiting for the “big break” or the “grand opening.” Success isn’t a singular event; it’s the accumulated interest on a thousand tiny, boring, well-executed moments.
What is one thing you can finish in the next ten minutes? Do that. Then do it again.
As always, thanks for reading.
—Gary
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Next time on Shaking the Tree: The bar is lower than you think!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Originally from the U.K., Gary Bloomer is a writer, branding advocate, marketing specialist, and an award-winning graphic designer.
His design work has been included in Creative Review (one of the UK’s largest design magazines). Since 2009, he has answered over 5,000 marketing and business questions in the Know-How Exchange of MarketingProfs.com, placing him among the top 3% of contributors. He lives in Wilmington, Delaware, USA.