How Vision Boards & Intentional Goalsetting Transformed My Life
Goalsetting has led me to launching my Strategy Workshops for my clients. Photo credit: Siobhan Johns Photography
For the past decade, goal setting has become one of the most powerful practices in my life.
As a mum of two and a business owner, my world is full, fast-paced, and often overwhelming — and goal setting has been the tool that brings me back to clarity, purpose, and direction.
I discovered personal development and goal setting around 10 years ago, but everything changed in 2017 when I got my own place and created my first vision board. That simple act of choosing what I wanted my life to look like gave me focus, energy and belief. And now, five years on, I can honestly say:
“Goal setting has transformed my life... When I feel like I have lost direction or purpose, taking the time to sit down with a blank notepad and reflect on what I really want out of life, always motivates me and brings clarity and meaning to what I’m doing again.”
If you’re a busy parent, a business owner, or simply someone who wants to be more intentional, here are the four reasons I believe goal setting is the thing that makes the difference.
1. Goal Setting Creates Clarity
One of the biggest benefits of goal setting is how it brings clarity to your world. With two young children, a business, and a constant to-do list, my mind often feels chaotic. Setting goals — and regularly reviewing them — helps me:
reflect and figure out what actually matters
cut out the other stuff that can be distracting
stay organised and productive
reduce overwhelm and my cognitive load
I sit down and reflect on my goals each month, plus I take time out annually (Dec/Jan) and quarterly throughout the year to check in from both a business and life perspective.
If you’re looking for clarity in your business, you can find out about my ‘Get On It with Jen’ in person strategy and goalsetting workshops here.
2. Goal Setting Gives You Purpose and Direction
I feel like I’ve always been driven and had a growth mindset, however when I don’t have clear goals, that ambition can feel scattered. Goal setting gives me purpose and a gives me a reminder of what I’m working toward and why.
When you set intentional goals, you:
feel more motivated
stop drifting or reacting to external things
make progress that feels aligned
have something meaningful to aim for
It can be hard to find the motivation on your own to do this, especially when there is so many other things pulling on your time. In our businesses we tend to spend a lot of time ‘IN’ the business, as opposed to being ‘ON’ this business. Being ‘ON’ the business means taking a step back to figure out that purpose and direction, coming up with new ideas and making sure you still love what you do. That’s why I created my client Strategy Days. A full day to immerse yourself in your business and turn your purpose into a clear plan alongside an award winning business strategist. You can check out my Strategy Days here.
3. Vision Boards Build Fulfilment and Bring Your Future to Life
My vision board has been one of the most powerful tools in my personal development journey. I’ve put so many images on it since 2017 which have come to fruition. From paddleboarding (we now both own paddleboards and even go with the kids), triathlons (I recently did my first one in 6 years!), growing our family (we finally became a family of 4 in 2023), extending our home (we did this in 2025 after 5 years of planning) and family adventures (we did our dream trip to the mountains back in 2022) — and today I can say that I’m actually living so many of those moments.
Goal setting and visualisation help you:
see your dreams daily
stay focused on what matters
make aligned decisions
build a life that fills you with joy
I’m so passionate about people living a life filled with joy and I know that this is one of the most important practices in my personal development world. Each year as a family we recreate our vision board together, along with our kids and it’s so much fun!
I’ll be creating business vision boards at my January ‘Get On It with Jen’ workshop - you can find out more and book tickets here.
4. Reflection Helps You Improve, Grow and Avoid Burnout
Reflection is the step most people skip — especially busy business owners juggling work, family, home and an endless to do list. But taking time to pause and reflect has been a game changer for me. Whenever I sit down to think about my goals, reflection time is the first step. You just need a blank notebook to jot down under 2 headings”what’s gone well, and what’s been a challenge? Sometimes it can be hard to think back, but give yourself some time and the thoughts will start flowing in.
Reflection allows you to:
review what’s working
let go of what isn’t
celebrate progress
adjust your goals with intention
If you’d like more tools and prompts to help you reflect, goalset and grow your business you can join my newsletter here (I send one newsletter per month).
Why Goal Setting Is Part of My Work as a Business Strategist
I’m passionate about helping people create more clarity, purpose, and fulfilment in their lives and businesses. That’s why goal setting sits at the heart of all my client work.
I love working with busy business owners that are juggling family, home, work (the list goes on) and helping them figure out their boundaries, get clear on their goals and live a life filled with joy. Here are some of the spaces I’ve created to make this happen…
Whether you’re a business owner, or someone wanting a more intentional year, here are the spaces I’ve created to help you plan your best year:
✨ Free Goal Setting Workshop — 30th December (Online).
Sign up here.
✨ Get On It with Jen - Business Strategy & Goalsetting Workshop — Wednesday 14th January 9.30am-12.30pm at Patch, Chelmsford, Essex.
Find out more and book tickets here.
✨ 1:1 Strategy Day on Zoom for your business to bring clarity, purpose and build your plan.
Find out more and book your session here.
✨ Be in my world by getting my monthly newsletter filled with Strategy tips and behind the scenes stuff.
Join my newsletter here.
Finally, if you'd like to learn more about me and my business journey, you can read my story here.
