Setting Goals and Achieving Dreams

How many of you make New Year’s resolutions? Or set performance goals at the start of each year at work? How many of you start off strong, only for the enthusiasm to wane after a couple of weeks?

Motivation is often temporary and without purpose, most of our goals drift into the ether.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, yet expecting different results. So why then, do we make resolutions each year? False promises of a new diet, going to the gym, or quitting a bad habit like drinking or smoking.

Why? Because simply writing down a goal is not enough. Here are three things that can help you set goals and actually achieve them:

1.      Discover your ‘why’. Why is that the goal? Why is it important? And what would it mean to you or others if you were to achieve it?

2.      Create an action plan. Writing down you goal or goals is just one step in the process. You need a plan of action; specific things you can and will do to turn your goal into reality.

3.      Be Patient. We live in a right now society, where whenever we want something, we have to have it “right now”. This leads to giving up before even micro results can be seen.

Discovering Your Why

Most goals are set at the beginning of a year and why not, starting a new year is about renewal and fresh starts. Simply starting a goal or resolution just because the day or year changed, is not enough to last. When I decided to run a marathon after having a kidney transplant, I asked myself three questions:

1.      Why is that the goal? I wanted something beyond my perceived capabilities and considering I had never run a race of any distance, setting my sights on a marathon would test how strong my mindset was.

2.      Why is it important? This wasn’t just a goal that you go out and do one day. It would require months of dedication, discipline, and resilience. It would require me to train even when I did not feel like it. Setting such a challenging goal, would require me to test myself in nearly every aspect of my life, and that seemed like a worthy cause.

3.      What would it mean if I were to achieve it? For me, it would prove to myself that I can do hard things. That I can set a goal, stick to the plan, and persevere even when things got super hard. To others, it would be a living example of what is possible when you have purpose and use it to drive you to achieve your goals. It would demonstrate to others that our limitations are self-imposed and we have the power to write a new narrative for ourselves.

Creating an Action Plan

Cool. You have written down your goal. Now what? Wish or hope it magically comes true? That’s not how goals work. They require effort, attention, and discipline. But they also need a plan; a set of actions that when completed result in accomplishing a task or goal.

Here are three things to consider when creating your plan”

1.      Break your goal into consumable chunks. Don’t try to do everything at once. Decompose your goal into smaller pieces.

2.      Create a reasonable timeline. If you are going to run a marathon for the first time, don’t make your deadline in two weeks, it’s not reasonable. Set a target that is right on the edge of achievable and challenging enough to push you to show up. Too much time can be as bad as too little time.

3.      Celebrate the small wins. By breaking your goal into smaller pieces with a timeline, you now have inchstones and milestones along the way to your main objective. Each time you can check another item off the list or you stayed consistent for another week, take time to acknowledge and reward yourself – No this does not mean with a bucket of cake and ice cream.

Being Patient

The old cliché is “Rome wasn’t built in a day” is still used because it’s true. Reaching your goal will take time. If it doesn’t, then was it a challenging enough of a goal?

As you work towards your goal, you will need to trust the process. Know that what you are doing is making a difference, even if they are only micro shifts. Make that 1% daily change and over time it will begin to add up.

There will be road bumps along the way, you will need to be resilient and believe in yourself. This can be challenging, difficult, and often disheartening. But believe me, it will only make your victory that much sweeter in the end.

So, are you ready to achieve your goals? This week’s challenge is to pick a goal, come up with a plan, and take action. You can do this.

Celebrate Yourself More

When was the last time you told yourself, “Good job”? Not for perfection. Not for being the best. But just for showing up. Trying. Beginning again.

Let’s be honest, if you spoke to your friends the way you speak to yourself, would you still be friends?

A question hit me like a brick wall this week as I was scrolling through Instagram. It asked:
“Name three people you love.”
Then it followed with:
“Did you include yourself?”

Oof.

That moment made me stop in my tracks. Because I hadn’t and that seems like a problem.

The Truth Is, We’re Often Our Own Worst Critics

This week, I caught myself spiraling just a bit. I was thinking, “You’re not doing enough. You’re not making progress. You’re failing.” ---  But then I paused and took inventory.

And realized I had accomplished far more than I gave myself credit for. I’m building something that matters, moving forward. Just maybe not as fast as my ego wants.

I had to remind myself: Progress doesn’t have to be loud to be real.

There’s a Difference Between Critical and Cruel

Being critical is rooted in care. It’s you saying: I know I’m capable of more. That’s healthy. That’s growth. It’s the positive fuel you need.

But being mean to yourself? That’s sabotage. There’s no badge of honor in bullying yourself into success. And honestly, that kind of sabotage will not lead to success.

We live in a world where we applaud others for their first 5k, their 10-pound loss, their 9th Spartan Trifecta... But turn around and beat ourselves up for walking a mile or “only” losing 5 pounds.

Let me tell you this right now:
If you laced up your shoes and moved today, you’re a champion.
If you made one better choice, you’re a fighter.
If you got up and tried again, you’re winning.

This Week’s Challenge: Hype Yourself Up

This week, I want you to shift your inner voice. Instead of punishing yourself for what you didn’t do, praise yourself for what you did.

• Ran/walked a mile? 🔥

• Ate clean all day? 🔥

• Started something you’ve been putting off? 🔥

CELEBRATE – IT – ALL

• Give yourself the same grace you give to others.

• Speak to yourself like someone you love.

• Because you should.

The Power of Others

One of the hardest things you’ll ever do? Ask for help. Trust me — I know because I’ve struggled with it my entire life.

 Why do we so often go it alone?

• Fear of rejection

• Fear of being disappointed

• Fear of being a burden

• Lack of trust

But here’s the truth: you were never meant to do this life alone.

We are wired to be stronger together. Sometimes, you have to swallow your pride, open up, and let people into your fight. And here’s the surprising part: people want to help. More often than not, you’ll be amazed at how willing they are to lift you up and share whatever weight you’re carrying.

When I was younger, I played team sports, and I relied on my teammates just as much as they relied on me. We sweated together, we fought together, and we celebrated victory together.

But off the ice? I was a lone wolf. I convinced myself I could, and should, do everything alone. Sure, I achieved a lot that way. But when I look back, every major breakthrough had one or two key people helping me along the way.

My most powerful example?
When I needed a kidney donor, I had to let my guard down in the biggest, most vulnerable way. I shared my story with the world, putting it out on social media.

Within less than a month, the hospital called… I had three donor matches and several more people stepping forward to get tested. Strangers were lining up to save my life.

That moment blew my mind!

It reminded me, and it should remind you… YOU are never alone.

You are not alone in your struggles. You are not alone in your dreams. You are not alone in your mission. Friends, family, online communities — there are so many people ready to stand in your corner if you just open the door.

My dream with Maselli Mindset and my social platforms (@markmaselli on Instagram) is to create that community for you — a space where we help, uplift, and inspire one another.

Because together, we rise.

There Are Levels to This Game of Life

What really stops us from going after the things we want? It’s not just fear…      It’s our ego.

A few weeks ago, I shared about completing the Spartan DEKA event. Recently, I leveled up again by taking on the Spartan Super in Big Bear, California:

·       A grueling 10K

·       25 brutal obstacles

·       All set on the steep slopes of Snow Summit Ski Resort

It’s tough enough to push yourself through the obstacles of mud, walls, and barbed wire. But add a mountain, altitude, and exhaustion, and it becomes a whole new beast. As I stood at the starting line, I looked around, the crowd was packed with fit, fierce athletes who looked ready to sprint up the mountain like gazelles. For a moment, I felt it: intimidation.

Then I noticed something else…  I was in better shape than some people there and they were probably looking at me, thinking the same thing.

That’s when it hit me: THERE ARE LEVELS TO THIS!!!

Everyone is at a different Level, and we are all at different points on our journey. At different levels. On different challenges.

Whether it’s a Spartan race, a marathon, a local 5K, or just starting something new, you’ll find people at all levels:
✔ Some are advanced.
✔ Some are beginners.
✔ Everyone is struggling with something.

And here’s the most beautiful part: At these events, people cheer for each other, help each other, and push each other because we’re all here to test our own personal limits.

Your ego wants to keep you small, keeping you from even starting! Your ego plants seeds to make you afraid to look slow. Afraid to look weak. Afraid to look like a beginner.

But here’s the truth… Everyone who’s ahead of you was once where you are now. The only way to level up is to show up again, and again, and again.

— This Week’s Challenge to YOU —

Do the thing you’ve been avoiding.

• Go to the gym.

• Sign up for that 5K.

• Hit the open mic.

• Try karaoke.

• Write that poem.

• Start that side project.

Whatever it is — drop the ego. Be proud of your level. And know you’re not alone on the path.

Final Reminder: Your ego wants you to stay small. Your soul wants you to GROW.

So… What are you going to choose this week?

Perseverance Requires Perspiration

Think back to when you were a kid.
Do you remember trying something again and again, failing every time — until one day, you finally got it?

Maybe it was landing a backflip in gymnastics, solving a Rubik’s cube, learning a new language, driving a car, or memorizing your multiplication tables.
Whatever it was, it felt impossible at first. But something inside you refused to quit. You kept showing up. You kept pushing.

And when you finally nailed it — it felt amazing, didn’t it?
You felt powerful. Capable. Alive.

So now let me ask you this:
When was the last time you practiced that kind of perseverance?
When was the last time you stuck with something — not because it was required, but because you wanted to conquer it?

And no — pushing through an entire season on Netflix or finishing a pint of ice cream doesn’t count.

As adults, we get jaded. Busy. Cynical. We convince ourselves we don’t have time or energy to pursue new challenges. We stop stretching. We stop chasing. We stop growing.

But that fire? That ability to persist? It’s still in you.
You’ve just got to wake it up.

This week, I want to challenge you:

• Choose something that will stretch you.
  A puzzle. A new yoga move. Jogging a mile. Something just beyond your current ability, but doable within a week.

• Commit 20 minutes a day.
  No excuses. Miss no more than two days.

• Crush it. Celebrate. Then level up.
  Find a new challenge that pushes you further.

Practicing perseverance builds mental stamina. It strengthens the part of you that doesn’t quit when things get hard. Like any muscle, perseverance grows through repetition and resistance.

Start small. Build momentum.
Before long, you’ll be taking on the things you once thought were out of reach — writing that book, training for that race, launching that dream.

One small victory at a time.