When I was younger, I was the kind of person who set a goal and fixated on it daily, laser-focused on achieving that one thing. Every step I took had to be in service of that goal, or it felt like I was wasting time. While this drive might sound admirable, the truth is, I made myself miserable. I measured every day by how close I was to the outcome, and I was never fully satisfied. The irony? By obsessing over the outcome, I was missing out on the beauty of the journey itself.

Years later, I’ve learned an important lesson: setting a goal is essential, but fixating on it is not. In fact, focusing too much on the result can rob you of the joy, growth, and unexpected opportunities that unfold when you’re determinedly moving toward an outcome while enjoying the process. It’s a shift that can change not just your business, but your whole life.

The Trap of Fixating on Goals
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that success is all about hitting your targets. You think, "When I achieve X, then I’ll be happy," or "Once I reach Y, everything will fall into place." I know because I’ve been there. I would set ambitious goals, and then day after day, I would measure my progress against that distant dream. It didn’t matter if I was making strides in my business or learning valuable lessons along the way—if I wasn’t there yet, I wasn’t satisfied.

It wasn’t until much later that I realized that this mentality had a major flaw. By focusing so intensely on the end goal, I was constantly overlooking the small wins and learning opportunities that were happening in the moment. I wasn’t enjoying the process because I was too busy stressing about the outcome.

My Turning Point: Learning to Let Go
About six years ago, I had a turning point. I came across an online business coach who was living the kind of freedom-filled workday I wanted. She worked with clients from anywhere in the world, creating a business on her own terms. As a traditionally trained personal stylist, I had always thought that kind of lifestyle was out of reach for me. Could I really run a global business in a field like styling?

Still, I set the goal. I decided that was the lifestyle I wanted, and then, strangely enough, I let it go. I didn’t obsess over it like I had with previous goals. Instead, I shifted my focus to enjoying what I was doing—working with clients, refining my skills, and building my business. I didn’t spend every waking moment thinking about whether I was getting closer to my dream day. I trusted that if I kept moving forward, doing what I loved, I would eventually get there.

The Power of Enjoying the Process
By releasing my tight grip on the outcome and focusing on the process, something amazing happened. Over time, I became more present in my work. I started appreciating the milestones I was hitting, even if they weren’t the big, shiny ones I had originally envisioned. I learned to enjoy the everyday victories—like the satisfaction of helping a client feel confident in their new wardrobe or the excitement of discovering new ways to grow my business.

And guess what? Six years later, here I am, living that dream. I’m working with clients from all over the world from a little red dot called Singapore. The day-to-day freedom I once thought was impossible is now my reality. I’m living the kind of business lifestyle I once set my sights on, but instead of agonizing over how to get there, I focused on making a success of my business and enjoying the process along the way.

Reaching My Long-Term Goal: Working from Anywhere
Looking back, I realize that one of the goals I set a decade ago was to work from anywhere in the world. I wanted the kind of flexibility that would allow me to serve clients regardless of where I was physically located. At the time, that felt like a distant dream. I had no idea how I was going to make it happen, but I knew it was possible.

Fast forward to today, and that’s exactly what I’m doing. Whether I’m in Ireland, the U.S., or Singapore, I’m running a successful coaching business that reaches clients across the globe. That goal I set all those years ago became a reality, not because I obsessed over it, but because I kept moving forward with determination and joy.

How to Set a Goal and Forget About It
So, how do you apply this in your own life or business? It’s simple, really. Set your goal, but don’t obsess over it. Instead, shift your focus to the process. What steps can you take today that will move you closer to your outcome? More importantly, how can you enjoy those steps? Whether you’re a stylist looking to expand your client base, or someone aiming to build a flexible business that allows you to work from anywhere, the principle remains the same.

The key is to stay committed to your goal, but also to let go of the need to control every detail. Trust that if you stay determined and keep showing up every day, you’ll get there. And when you do, it’ll be that much sweeter because you enjoyed the journey along the way.

If This is Your Dream Too...
If this sounds like the kind of lifestyle you’re after—whether it’s running a styling business from any location in the world or creating a business that truly aligns with your values and passion—I’m here to show you the way. I’ve been in your shoes, and I know what it takes to turn that goal into a reality.

​The journey may not always be easy, but I promise it’s worth it. If you’re ready to take the first step, pop me a message through the speech bubble 💬 to the right of this blog post. Let’s make your dream a reality, too.