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I remember setting the original launch goal for my first journal, Who Am I? and my second journal, Exploring My Core Values, for March and April of 2025, respectively. But as the workload of my day job began to impact my stress levels, and I began navigating unpredictable health flare-ups, those timelines didn’t stick. What felt like a setback at first slowly revealed itself as an invitation, to slow down, listen more deeply to my body, and realign my goals with what was genuinely possible and meaningful in that season of my life. Spoiler: my plans have more mood swings than I do!
I realized that shifting goals isn’t a sign of failure; it’s a natural, even necessary, part of growth, especially when balancing entrepreneurship with fluctuating energy and health. It calls for a different kind of goal setting: one that embraces authenticity, self-compassion, and the courage to release what no longer fits without guilt.
In this post, I want to walk you through that journey. Together, we’ll explore how to recognize when your goals are evolving, how to listen to your current truth, and how to compassionately let go of what’s holding you back. Most importantly, we’ll talk about how to realign your business and life so they truly honor your unique path, because progress doesn’t have to come at the cost of your well-being.
Why Goals Shift: The Natural Evolution of Priorities
Our goals often feel like fixed destinations on a map, but in reality, they’re more like waypoints that shift as we move through life’s terrain. Especially when managing chronic illness or navigating fluctuating energy, those waypoints can move in ways that surprise or unsettle us. But this shifting isn’t a sign of weakness or failure, it’s a powerful signal of growth and adaptation.
When I had to push back my journal launches, it wasn’t just about adjusting dates. It was about recognizing that my health impacted my capacity and ambitions in ways I hadn’t fully accounted for. My definition of success started to change, too, not just about hitting deadlines or sales targets, but about how I felt in the process: Was I honoring my energy? Was I still connected to why I created these journals in the first place?
For entrepreneurs with chronic illness, goals must often become fluid, adapting to energy highs and lows. This doesn’t mean you’re less committed or less capable. It means you’re learning to work with your body’s rhythms and redefining success on your terms.
Some common reasons goals evolve include:
- Personal growth: As we gain clarity about our values and desires, what once felt right might no longer resonate.
- Health changes: Physical and mental health fluctuations can shift what’s realistic or sustainable.
- New insights: Experiences, feedback, and changing circumstances naturally reshape our vision.
This evolution isn’t just practical, it’s deeply emotional. It can bring relief and clarity but also uncertainty or doubt. Holding space for those feelings is part of the process. Shifting goals signals that you’re paying attention to your inner truth, and that is a sign of true growth.
Recognizing What Feels Authentic Now
When goals no longer fit, it’s tempting to blame ourselves or cling to old ambitions out of habit or obligation. But the real work lies in gently uncovering what feels true and meaningful to you right now, not what you think you should want or what others expect.
One way I’ve found helpful is to pause and ask myself honest, open-ended questions like:
- What part of my work still lights me up, even on low-energy days?
- Which goals reflect my values today, rather than a past version of myself?
- How does my body feel when I think about my current goals, excited, tense, or indifferent?
- What fears or external pressures might be clouding my judgment?
Answering these questions isn’t always comfortable, but it creates space for clarity and self-compassion. It reminds us that authenticity isn’t a fixed destination, it’s a continuous conversation with ourselves.
You might notice signs that your goals are more aligned with your current self when you:
- Feel a quiet but persistent pull toward certain projects or ideas
- Sense your energy lifting as you plan or work on specific tasks
- Find yourself letting go of “shoulds” that don’t fit anymore
- Embrace imperfection and fluidity, knowing that goals can evolve without losing their meaning
Listening to your intuition and energy isn’t always straightforward, especially if hustle culture has conditioned you to push through discomfort. But honoring your body’s signals is a radical act of kindness, one that fosters sustainable creativity and growth. It’s like giving yourself permission to dance to your own rhythm, even if it’s just a little offbeat sometimes.
To help with this reflection, here are a few journaling prompts you might try:
- What goals bring me peace, even if they look different than before?
- How can I show up for my business in a way that honors my health and energy?
- What does success feel like to me right now?
- Where am I holding onto expectations that no longer serve me?
Taking time to explore these questions gently can be the first step toward reconnecting with a more authentic, compassionate way of moving forward.
What to Let Go and How to Do It Compassionately
Letting go of goals can feel like saying goodbye to a part of ourselves, especially when those goals have been tied to our identity, ambitions, or how we measure success. If you’re anything like me, that process comes with a swirl of emotions: guilt, fear of failure, or even a nagging sense that you’re giving up too soon.
But here’s the truth: releasing old goals doesn’t mean you’re quitting or failing. It means you’re making space for growth and honoring your current reality. It’s a brave and kind choice to step away from anything that no longer nourishes your spirit or aligns with your well-being.
Common goals that many entrepreneurs find themselves releasing include:
- Hustle-driven targets that push beyond sustainable energy
- Perfectionist standards that stall progress
- External benchmarks that don’t reflect personal values
- Projects that no longer inspire or fit life’s current season
Emotional barriers like guilt or fear can make this process hard, but reframing letting go as progress rather than loss can shift your perspective. Instead of focusing on what you’re leaving behind, try celebrating the growth and clarity gained by realigning.
Here are some compassionate strategies to help ease the process:
- Practice energy-led decision-making: Tune into your body’s signals before committing to goals or deadlines. If a goal feels heavy or draining, it may be time to pause or pivot.
- Create small rituals of release: Write a letter to your old goal, thanking it for the lessons it taught you, then ceremoniously set it aside, whether by journaling, tearing up the paper, or another meaningful act.
- Celebrate small wins: Recognize every step you take toward honoring your authentic path, no matter how small. These moments build momentum and self-trust.
- Give yourself permission: Remind yourself that progress looks different for everyone, especially when balancing chronic illness or fluctuating energy.
Letting go is not about abandoning ambition; it’s about choosing goals that are kinder to your whole self: mind, body, and spirit. In doing so, you create space for new priorities to emerge, ones that better reflect your current truth.
Realigning Your Business and Life with New Priorities
Once you’ve compassionately let go of goals that no longer serve you, the next step is to realign your business and life around what truly fits your current energy and values. This isn’t about rigid plans or high-pressure deadlines, it’s about creating flexible, sustainable goals that honor your well-being and invite gentle momentum.
One approach I’ve found invaluable is energy-led planning, a core principle here at TJSM Studios. It means designing your business goals around your natural rhythms, allowing space for rest and fluctuation without guilt. Because forcing yourself into a hustle marathon when your energy’s on a gentle stroll is like trying to sprint in flip-flops, it’s just not going to end well.
Here are some ways to build this kind of flexibility into your goal setting:
- Modular goal-setting: Breaking projects into smaller chunks and using modular goal-setting techniques can help you stay flexible and compassionate with yourself. I also recommend tools like the Full Focus Planner by Michael Hyatt, which supports breaking big goals into manageable, focused steps, perfect if you want a planner that respects your pace without overwhelming you.
- Accessible planning tools: Use journals or digital planners designed to accommodate shifting energy levels, that encourage reflection alongside action.
- Gentle consistency: Focus on progress over perfection by aiming for small daily or weekly wins that build confidence and momentum without burnout.
- Regular check-ins: Schedule moments to pause, reflect, and adjust your goals as needed. Your business is a living thing, and your plans should grow with you.
Realigning your goals is not about lowering standards or giving up on dreams. It’s about crafting a business and life that feel good in your body and soul, a business that grows with you, not against you.
Remember, done gently still gets done. And in the long run, that steady, compassionate pace is what leads to sustainable success.
Final Thoughts
Shifting goals can feel unsettling, but it’s one of the most natural and empowering parts of growing, especially when you’re managing chronic illness or fluctuating energy. It’s a sign that you’re paying attention to yourself and choosing to move forward with greater authenticity and compassion.
Remember, your goals don’t have to be rigid or perfect. They can bend, change, and even be gently released when they no longer fit. That kind of flexibility creates space for deeper alignment, sustainable progress, and a business that truly honors your whole self.
Trust your evolving path. Be kind to yourself through the uncertainties, the adjustments, and the small wins. Practice patience and self-compassion as you navigate this ongoing dance between ambition and well-being. You’re not alone in this journey, many of us are learning to build with intention, honoring both our dreams and our health.
If you’re ready to explore tools designed to support energy-led planning and compassionate goal setting, take a look at the TJSM Studios Journals. They’re created with care to help you slow down, reflect deeply, and build a business that fits your unique rhythm.
To support your health as you build, consider ergonomic desk accessories like standing desks or wrist supports to reduce strain during work sessions. Blue light blocking glasses can help ease eye fatigue if you spend lots of time on screens, especially if you’re prone to migraines or sensory sensitivity. And for nurturing emotional resilience through mindfulness, apps like Calm or Headspace offer gentle daily practices to ease stress and bring clarity.
You’ve already taken an important step by considering how your goals are shifting. Keep trusting that progress, however gentle, is meaningful—and that your evolving dreams are worth honoring.
10 Guided Journaling Prompts to Explore Shifting Goals
- What goals have I outgrown, and how can I thank them for the lessons they offered?
- How does my current energy level influence the way I want to work and create?
- What would it feel like to release goals that no longer serve me?
- In what ways has my definition of success changed over the past year?
- Which parts of my business bring me joy and align with my values right now?
- How can I honor my limitations while still pursuing meaningful progress?
- What fears arise when I think about letting go of old goals?
- How can I create space for new priorities to emerge naturally?
- What small, compassionate actions can I take today to support my evolving goals?
- How can I celebrate my growth, no matter how gradual or imperfect it feels?
Suggested AI Prompt for Creating a Flexible Goal-Setting Plan
You can use this prompt in ChatGPT or any AI assistant to help you take action on this blog topic.
Help me create a simple, flexible goal-setting plan that honors my fluctuating energy and evolving priorities. Include gentle journaling prompts and daily habits to stay aligned without feeling overwhelmed.
Ready to Embrace Change with Compassion?
Your goals are allowed to shift, and your business can grow in ways that honor your energy and values. Take a moment today to reflect on where you are, what feels authentic, and what you might gently release to make space for what’s next.
If you found this post helpful, consider subscribing to The Journey the semi-regular newsletter I send out, if your looking for ongoing support, journaling prompts, and gentle business growth tips tailored to your unique journey.
Remember, progress isn’t about rushing, it’s about moving forward with kindness, patience, and your whole self intact. You’ve got this. And if your goals take a scenic detour, that’s just the plot thickening in your story.