Six Stages of Big-Ass Goals

Daily Boost Podcast Show Notes

Six Stages of Big-Ass Goals

April 3, 2025 | Episode 5064

Host: Scott Smith

Episode Description

What happens after you set that ambitious goal you can barely believe you'll achieve? In this no-nonsense episode, Scott breaks down the six-stage process that follows every big goal-setting moment. Sparked by his grandson's innocent question about "big-ass goals," Scott delivers a practical roadmap for navigating the psychological journey from contemplation to habit formation. If you've ever set a significant goal but struggled to follow through, this episode reveals precisely why—and what to do about it.

Featured Story

Scott kicks off with a humorous story about his 12-year-old grandson overhearing him record a podcast and asking, "G-Pa, what's a big-ass goal?" This candid moment leads Scott to reflect on how we approach ambitious goals and why most people get stuck at certain predictable stages. Drawing on Winston Churchill's wisdom that "to improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often," Scott reveals how change is not something to fear but to embrace as the essence of growth.

Key Takeaways

The most effective goals are so ambitious they seem almost unattainable, yet still possible with dedicated effort—that's what makes them "big-ass goals."

When setting ambitious goals, you'll naturally progress through six stages: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and termination.

Optimism isn't just a pleasant attitude—it's a practical approach to life because, as Churchill noted, "it does not seem to be much use being anything else."

Memorable Quotes

"New level, new devil—if you think you're going to get away from every problem you have today by making a change, it's not true. You'll escape today's problems, but life will give you new ones."

"For myself, I am an optimist. It does not seem to be much use being anything else."

"If you can stand up, take a step, repeat, and keep doing that until you get what you want, that is the world's simplest success recipe."

Scott's Three-Step Approach

Set goals so ambitious that others might doubt you can achieve them—this creates the focus and motivation needed for fundamental transformation.

Please be sure to know which of the six stages of change you're in (pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, or termination) and take the appropriate steps for that stage.

Approach life's inevitable challenges with optimism, seeing obstacles not as roadblocks but as opportunities to grow stronger and more capable.

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