Want a New Way to Set Goals? Try Good/Better/Best!
When it comes to setting goals, many of us feel pressure to choose the perfect target. But what if I told you there’s another way to approach goal-setting—one that helps you find balance between achievable milestones and inspiring stretch goals? That’s where the Good/Better/Best method comes in. 🎯
What is Good/Better/Best?
I first learned about this approach from Kelsa Dickey, and it has been a game-changer both for my clients and for my own business. Here’s how it works:
Good ✅: A goal you feel confident you can meet, even if things don’t go perfectly. It’s achievable and realistic.
Better 💪: This goal pushes you a bit further. You’ll need a solid plan to reach it, but it’s within reach if things go smoothly.
Best 🚀: This is the “dream” goal—the one that feels scary to even think about. It might feel out of reach, but it’s the goal that can motivate you to think bigger.
Applying This to My Own Business
To show you how this framework works in practice, let me share how I applied it to a recent goal of mine. I initially set a target of having 100 conversations about my business in three months—whether with potential clients, referral partners, friends, or anyone who might help me serve more clients.
100 conversations felt exciting at first, but quickly became more overwhelming than motivating. So, I turned to the Good/Better/Best framework to reframe my goal.
Best 🚀: I realized that 100 conversations was my “Best” goal—it seemed pretty terrifying to even put out there.
Better 💪: I set 75 conversations as my “Better” goal. It still pushes me, but it feels more attainable than 100.
Good ✅: Finally, I set 50 conversations as my “Good” goal—something I felt was very achievable, even if things got busy.
Suddenly, my target shifted from a pass/fail approach to a range of success! Now, if I have anywhere between 50 and 100 conversations, I’ll have made significant progress and achieved my goal!
Why Good/Better/Best Works
Using this method has helped me set goals that motivate me, instead of overwhelm me. As a recovering perfectionist, I sometimes feel that if I don't reach my goal, that equals failure. But this framework takes away that pressure and the pass/fail mentality. Now I can focus on having quality conversations with people, as opposed to worrying that I'm not going to succeed in my goal.
Applying Good/Better/Best to Your Personal Finances 💸
This same strategy works for personal financial goals too! Here is an example:
Saving for your dream vacation ✈️🏖️:
Good ✅: Save $500 in three months
Better 💪: Save $1,000
Best 🚀: Save $2,000
By setting a range, you’ll feel a sense of achievement at each level, and you’ll stay motivated even as you strive toward your “Best” goal.
Conclusion
The Good/Better/Best framework takes the pressure off of setting the “perfect” goal and replaces it with a system that celebrates a range of success. By setting goals that are achievable (Good), challenging (Better), and terrifyingly ambitious (Best), you’ll stay motivated, feel a sense of accomplishment, and keep moving forward.
Whether you’re saving for a dream vacation or paying off debt, this method can help you stay on track and avoid the trap of all-or-nothing thinking.
If paying off debt is one of your goals, I’ve also created a FREE resource to help you get started: Your Personalized Debt Action Plan. This guide will walk you through assessing your debt, choosing the right payoff strategy, and tracking your progress.
👉 Click here to download your FREE Debt Action Plan.
Whatever goals you’re working toward, remember: progress over perfection.
