July is almost here, and while most people are counting down to their beach trip or complaining about the ridiculous heat, I’ve been knee-deep in something a little less flashy, but albeit still fulfilling… goal setting.

Not just the “grow revenue by 20%” or “finally getting around to organizing the inbox” kind of goals. I’m talking about personal goals—the kind that help you live with purpose, stay grounded, and show up better in every area of life.

Truth is, I always tackle personal goals first. Why? Because when your inner world is in harmony—when you’ve taken time to tune in to what really matters—you show up stronger, sharper, and more resilient in your professional life. It’s not just theory, either. I can tell you that I’ve lived it.

So, if you’re feeling a little off track or want to build momentum heading into the second half of the year, here’s a simple and effective system (credit to Sandler Training for the framework) that I personally use to reset and refocus.

Step 1: Prioritize the Life Areas That Matter Most to You

We’re all wired differently, which means your personal compass may not look like mine, but here are the seven areas I use to structure my own personal goals:

• Spiritual (Soul)
• Mental/Emotional (Mind)
• Physical (Body)
• Financial
• Family
• Social
• Community

You might want to swap one or two out, and that’s totally fine. The point is to identify the areas of life that are most important to you, and then set intentional goals within each one.

Step 2: Set Three SMART Goals in Each Area

Now for the part that requires a little discipline: for each category, write down three SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Here’s what that might look like in the Physical (Body) category:

• Run a 5K by September 30
• Strength train 3x per week for the next 60 days
• Limit DoorDash orders to once a week until October

The beauty of SMART goals is that they’re trackable, and that makes accountability a whole lot easier. No more fuzzy intentions like “get healthier” or “be a better friend.” Be concrete. Be real with yourself. And don’t overcomplicate it.

Step 3: Prioritize and Take Action

You’ve got three goals in each area—but that doesn’t mean you need to tackle all 21 at once (unless you’re looking for a fast track to burnout).

Instead, rank them in order of priority within each category. Start with the #1 goal in each area and put your focus there. Once it’s achieved, move on to the next.

Progress creates momentum—and momentum is magic.

A Few Tips from the Trenches

• Schedule check-ins: I put 15 minutes on my calendar every Sunday to review where I am and recalibrate if needed.
• Stack your habits: Pair a new goal with an existing routine. (Example: Meditate, which would fall under the Spiritual or Mental/Emotional categories, for ten minutes right after brushing your teeth.)
• Don’t go it alone: Share your top goals with someone you trust. Accountability increases follow-through.

Why It Matters

When your personal goals are aligned, everything else falls into place. You become clearer about what you’re working toward in your professional life. You gain energy, purpose, and even the ability to handle challenges with more resilience.

This isn’t just self-help fluff—it’s practical leadership. Because the better you lead yourself, the better you lead your business, your team, and your life.

Ready to Reset?

If you haven’t done your mid-year review yet, I highly recommend starting with your personal goals. Use the structure above, tailor it to fit your life, and get going.

And when you’ve laid the foundation? Then it’s time to level up your professional game. Trust me—it works better in that order.

I encourage you to finish the year strong, beginning from the inside out. Of course, if you’d like to chat about how to better implement this in your life, I’d love to chat. Reach out to Piedmont Prospecting today.