Have a big goal but don’t know where to start? Sometimes, our dreams feel so far away that taking the first step can seem overwhelming.
In this conversation with Adeline, Alex Lombardi introduces the concept of The ONE Thing, a goal-setting approach from Gary Keller’s book. She explains how breaking a big goal into smaller steps can help make it more manageable and how becoming the person who achieves your goals starts with the actions you take every day.
📖 Start With Your Five-Year Goal
Alex explains that the first step is to look at where you want to be in five years.
Instead of focusing only on the big picture, ask yourself:
🎯 What do I want to accomplish in five years?
🧩 What is the one thing I need to do in the next three years to make that possible?
📅 What do I need to accomplish this year?
📝 What can I work on this quarter, this month, this week, and today?
The idea is to break a big goal into smaller, more manageable steps.
And this approach isn’t just for entrepreneurs or people who want to build a million-dollar business. Alex points out that you can apply it to many areas of life, including motherhood, personal growth, and other goals that matter to you.
🪜 Break Big Goals Into Smaller Steps
A five-year goal can feel intimidating when you look at everything you need to accomplish.
But when you divide it into smaller steps, you can focus on what needs your attention right now.
For example:
🌟 Five years: Identify what you ultimately want to achieve.
📆 Three years: Decide what progress will help make that goal possible.
🗓️ One year: Set a meaningful milestone.
📌 Quarterly and monthly: Identify smaller priorities.
🎯 Weekly and daily: Choose actions you can take today.
You don’t have to figure out every detail at once. Focus on the next step and keep moving forward.
🧠 Become the Person Who Achieves Your Goals
Alex shares another important part of The ONE Thing approach.
She encourages people to ask:
“What does the person who has the things I desire do in each given moment?”
This shifts the focus from simply wanting a result to thinking about the habits and qualities that help you work toward it.
During the conversation, Alex identifies consistency and discipline as the qualities Adeline wants to develop.
Adeline agrees and shares that she can sometimes become too hedonistic, explaining that it’s easy to do because our brains already have so much to overcome each day.
This opens up an important point: achieving goals isn’t only about deciding what you want. It’s also about developing daily habits that support the person you want to become.
💗 Making Goal Setting TBI-Friendly
For people living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), working toward goals may require additional planning, patience, and flexibility.
Some days, concentration and energy may be limited. A large to-do list can feel overwhelming, especially when several tasks compete for your attention.
Here are a few gentle ways to apply this goal-setting approach:
📝 Write down your long-term goal so you don’t have to rely on memory.
🎯 Choose one priority instead of trying to do everything at once.
🪜 Break larger tasks into smaller steps.
⏰ Set realistic expectations based on your available energy.
😌 Include rest periods in your daily plan.
💗 Celebrate small accomplishments, even when progress feels slow.
Your goals should support your life, not push you beyond your limits. Adjust your plans when necessary and remember that taking a smaller step is still progress.
💗 Love Love Brain Thoughts
Big dreams don’t have to be accomplished all at once.
Alex’s explanation of The ONE Thing reminds us to look beyond the goal itself and focus on the small actions that move us toward it.
You don’t need to have everything figured out today. Think about where you want to be, identify the next step, and ask yourself what you can do right now.
Consistency doesn’t mean being perfect every day. It means continuing to show up in ways that are realistic and meaningful to you.
Big goals are built through small, intentional actions. One goal. One step. One day at a time. 💗
💬 We’d Love to Hear From You
What is one goal you are currently working toward?
What small action can you take today to move closer to it?
Share your thoughts in the comments. Your experience may inspire someone else to take their next step! 💕
🎥 Watch the Video
🎯 How do you turn big dreams into achievable goals? Watch Alex Lombardi explain The ONE Thing approach and how small, consistent actions can help you move toward the life you want. 💗
📚 Learn More About Alex Lombardi
Alex’s Book Title:
What You Build From Here
Alex’s Website:
Alex Lombardi Official
Alex’s Instagram:
@alexlombardiofficial
Alex’s Facebook:
Alex Marie Lombardi
Alex’s Podcast:
Explore Enriched with Alex Lombardi on Apple Podcasts.
Book Review:
What You Build From Here
Get the Book on Amazon:
What You Build From Here
Visit Alex’s website to learn more about her work, speaking opportunities, and The Brain Edit™.
If you enjoyed this interview, consider exploring Alex’s book and following her work for more ideas on intentional living, personal development, building sustainable habits, and creating a life aligned with your goals.
Affiliate disclosure: Love Love Brain may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through the Amazon affiliate link, at no additional cost to you.
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