Rethink Goal Setting: Do It Your Way
A fresh take on goal setting for side hustle success — without the pressure, guilt, or outdated rules.
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Recently, I left a comment on a post from
, a member of our Substack community about goal setting. She asked me if I’d ever written a post on the topic.The short answer? Yes, I have.
I actually like setting goals (more on that in a minute), and I’ve written quite a bit about it — though until now, mostly for my German-speaking community. (If that’s you, feel free to join us [here]!)
But the more I thought about it, the more I realized: goal setting for side hustle success is something I absolutely want to share with this community, too.
Because goal setting doesn’t have to feel rigid or overwhelming.
In fact, when done intentionally, it can help you shift from constant hustle to building something with purpose and direction.
Goal setting for side hustle success isn’t about doing more — it’s about aligning your time and energy with the life you’re working toward.
And before you roll your eyes and think “Oh no, another SMART goals post,” — I get it.
But this one’s different.
So I invite you to read on, and then decide if this approach is something you want to try.
Deal?
And as a little extra, I’m sharing my intentional goal for the second half of 2025 — something I’ve never done before. But now, you’re officially my accountability buddies. 😊
Because that’s what goal setting for side hustle success is all about: clarity, commitment, and community.
The Shift from Generic Goals to Intentional Goals
Before I learned how to set goals with intention, I was the kind of person who did set goals — personal, financial, even business-related — but rarely achieved them.
That changed when I discovered a simple mindset shift.
It was a true game changer, and something I believe everyone should start with before setting any goal:
Love your past. Don’t try to fix it.
You are not defined by what you did or didn’t do before.
Love yourself and your present, regardless of what came before.
This shift changed everything for me.
Now, I set goals not because I believe life will magically be better once I achieve them, but because I already love the life I’m building — and I want to keep growing.
Goal setting for side hustle success isn’t about chasing something because you feel like you’re behind.
It’s about gaining clarity and focus on what you want your business and life to look like — and showing up for that vision consistently.
It’s not about comparing yourself to others or competing with other businesses.
It’s about making intentional decisions for yourself.
And when you approach your goals this way, you avoid burnout, overwhelm, and distraction — because everything you do is rooted in purpose.
Why Traditional Goal Setting Doesn’t Work for Side Hustlers
Most goal-setting advice assumes you have endless time and energy — but side hustlers know that’s not the case.
You’re building something meaningful in the margins of your life: early mornings, late nights, and weekends. Add in work, family, and rest, and it’s clear your goals need to match your real life — not an ideal version of it.
If they don’t, you’ll end up feeling behind or burned out.
That’s why you need a different approach: goal setting for side hustle success.
It’s not about doing more — it’s about staying intentional and choosing progress over perfection.
Let’s explore what that looks like in real life.
The 6-Part Framework: Goal Setting for Side Hustle Success
Step 1: Decide What You’re Building — and Why
What is an intentional goal when it comes to your side hustle?
It’s a goal you truly want — one that feels aligned with your vision of freedom, purpose, or financial independence.
It’s not a goal that someone else expects from you (unless it also lights you up).
If it doesn’t come from within, you’ll constantly feel resistance, procrastination, or burnout.
And that’s not the energy your side hustle needs.
So ask yourself honestly:
What do you want to build?
Why does it matter to you?
Your goal can take two forms — and both are valid:
🔹 Identity-Based Goals
These are about who you want to become as a side hustler.
For example:
“I want to become someone who consistently creates and publishes weekly content.”
“I want to show up confidently and stop second-guessing myself.”
These goals shift your habits and mindset — and while they’re not always easy to measure, they’re powerful drivers of long-term success.
🔹 Outcome-Based Goals
These are tangible, measurable results.
For example:
“I want to earn my first €1,000 from digital products.”
“I want to grow my email list to 500 subscribers in the next 3 months.”
These are great for tracking progress and breaking down into actionable steps.
👉 Take a moment to get clear:
What’s your goal right now?
Is it about who you want to become — or what you want to achieve?
Both are valid, and both belong in your side hustle strategy.
Step 2: Commit Like It’s a Real Business (Because It Is)
Once you’ve set your side hustle goal, it’s time to commit — really commit.
That means choosing a time frame (30 days, 90 days, 6 months) and deciding:
“No matter how messy or hard it gets, I’m sticking with this.”
Think of it like a business launch, not a hobby.
You’re not testing if it “works” after a week — you’re showing up with consistency and resilience.
This kind of commitment helps you stay focused and gives you enough time to see real progress before you pivot.
Step 3: Visualize Success — Then Work Backwards
Don’t just imagine your side hustle taking off — get specific.
Ask yourself:
What does it feel like to hit that income goal or grow that audience?
What did I do to get there?
Who did I become in the process?
What habits or actions made the difference?
This future version of you already knows the path — tap into that energy now.
When you visualize clearly, you don’t just dream bigger.
You start showing up like the version of you who gets it done.
Step 4: Take Focused Action
This is where your side hustle starts to move from idea to income.
Once you know what it takes to reach your goal, break it down into clear, doable steps.
Prioritize them, schedule them, and take action — consistently.
For example, if your goal is to earn $1,200 from your newsletter, your action steps might include:
Defining your offer
Creating a landing page
Posting weekly content
Sending 3 sales emails
Big goals happen through small, repeated actions.
Even if it feels messy or slow at first, start now and build momentum as you go.
Progress beats perfection every time.
Step 5: Persevere with Self-Trust and Grit
Action is just the beginning — sticking with it is what creates results.
Hold yourself accountable.
Follow through on the tasks you’ve planned.
This builds confidence and trust in yourself — two things every side hustler needs.
If you miss a day or hit a roadblock, don’t spiral. Reflect, reset, and keep moving.
The goal isn’t perfection — it’s consistency and resilience.
Also, think bigger than expected:
If you think you need 10 actions to reach your goal, take 30.
Show up like someone who’s going to make it happen — no matter what.
That’s the mindset that takes you from idea to independence.
Step 6: Review What’s Working — and What’s Not
One of the most underrated tools in your side hustle toolkit is regular evaluation.
It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing what actually works.
Here’s the simple (but powerful) process:
1. Try a strategy
2. Evaluate the results
3. Adjust and try again
Many people skip this step — or assume they’ve “tried everything” after three attempts.
But real growth comes from reviewing your actions, learning from the data, and making small, smart shifts.
This is how you build a business that works for you — not just one that keeps you busy.
💡 My Goal for the Second Half of 2025
This one’s personal — and I’m bringing you along.
It’s all about my German community, and what I’m committed to building next.
Step 1: I Decide What I’m Building — and Why
My goal is to grow my email list to 5,000 subscribers, with 100 paying members by the end of 2025.
Why?
Because I want to create my own income and live life on my terms.
And more importantly, I want to inspire and support as many women as possible to take control of their finances, feel confident with money, and build the life they truly want — no matter where they’re starting from.
Step 2: I Commit Like It’s a Real Business
No matter how messy or hard it gets, I’m committed to reaching this goal by December 31, 2025.
This isn’t just a dream — it’s a decision.
Step 3: I Visualize Success — Then Work Backwards
How will it feel to reach this goal?
Incredible. Empowering. Like proof that I didn’t give up — even when it was hard.
I’ll feel:
✨ Confident
✨ Energized
✨ Loving
✨ Powerful
How will I have shown up?
I’ll show up with love for my business and my community.
I’ll deliver real value — helping women get out of debt, save, invest, and feel at peace with their money.
And I’ll follow through on what I promise — step by step, week by week.
Who do I need to become?
✅ Someone who plans ahead — and follows through.
✅ Someone who sets priorities and sticks to them.
✅ Someone who regularly reviews what’s working — and adjusts.
✅ Someone who isn’t afraid to feel uncomfortable or try something new.
What will I do differently?
I’ll finish the courses I started and implement what I learn.
I’ll stay focused — no more getting lost in busywork.
I’ll follow a clear strategy and adjust when needed.
I’ll let go of what doesn’t work.
And most of all: I won’t quit. I’ll keep going until it works.
What Actions Did I Take?
I repositioned my brand clearly around personal finance for women.
I created a strategy and followed a real plan.
I focused on one content platform — Substack — to build a meaningful community.
I planned content with intention and clarity.
I recorded videos, hosted live workshops, and started using Substack Live sessions.
I developed a new product.
I invited existing customers to try a mini-course.
I regularly took time to reflect on how I could make it even easier for readers to take action and get results faster.
Step 4: I Take Focused Action
Here’s what I’ll continue doing to stay aligned with my goal:
Watch and finish the “How to Win on Substack 2025” course — and apply what I learn
Join The Lemon Tree Mindset and get coached as a founding member
Complete a course on social media to develop a strategy for reaching new readers
My consistent content plan:
1 blog post per week
1 video per week
2 newsletters per week (1 free, 1 for paid subscribers)
Daily Notes
1 live workshop per month for paid subscribers
Substack Chat for connecting with my community
Live video recordings
My new course creation plan:
Research the topic
Create course outline
Develop modules and lessons
Write content
Record videos
Design worksheets and supporting materials
Launch the course
Create a sales page
Invite test users
Step 5: I Persevere with Self-Trust and Grit
For me, perseverance means not giving up — no matter how long it takes. I stay focused on the work that moves the needle.
Instead of spending time on busywork, I put my energy into what creates real results and generates revenue.
Step 6: I Review What’s Working — and What’s Not
Every Monday, I schedule a short self-review session to reflect on what’s working, what’s not, and how I can adjust.
This weekly check-in helps me stay on track and make smart decisions without burning out.
That’s my goal — simple, specific, and intentional.
I hope it inspires you to think big and take action too.
Because goal setting for side hustle success really does start with one decision.
Let’s Make This Your Year of Progress
So — what’s your vision?
What would building a successful side hustle mean for your life, your freedom, your future?
You don’t have to approach it the same way I do.
But if something here inspires you, take what resonates — and make it your own. 😉
Take a moment to reflect.
👉 Now it’s your turn! What’s your #1 goal for the next 6 months?
Hit reply or leave a comment — I’d love to cheer you on!
✨ Build your Substack—without burnout.
These two resources will help you stay consistent, clear, and confident:
📘 How to Win on Substack – Build a purposeful publication that attracts loyal readers.
🕓 The 4-Hour Creator – My simple weekly workflow to plan, write, and grow your Substack in just one focused morning.