Start with a goal: Why planning matters
Your big goals don't have to stay out of reach. With clear planning, you can turn ambitious dreams into achievable milestones.
Manage the unexpected
BY MONEYTALK STAFF
January 2026
Stacey Martin has a mantra she lives by when puruing her personal and professional dreams, and it's one she has encouraged her children to live by too: "Big goals don't happen by chance, they happen by choice." The Senior Private Banker with TD Wealth says, in her experience, we make better decisions with our money and time when we have purpose. "By planning, showing up every day to do the work and staying focused, you'll be amazed at how far you can go.”
IMAGE: PETER KIENETZ
Disclaimer
The information contained herein has been provided by TD Wealth and is for information purposes only. The information has been drawn from sources believed to be reliable. The information does not provide financial, legal, tax or investment advice. Particular investment, tax, or trading strategies should be evaluated relative to each individual's objectives and risk tolerance.
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Whether your big life goals include buying a home, running a marathon, starting a business or taking the trip of a lifetime, the difference between wishing and achieving often comes down to preparation. Clear, goal-based planning provides direction, motivation and a practical path forward, making even the most ambitious objectives feel attainable. What's more, when you define your goals clearly, you give yourself a roadmap to follow.
Here are four ways setting goals can be a powerful way to move forward in life:
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1. Goals provide focus
Consider the difference between an afternoon of window shopping and visiting a single store with a specific purchase in mind. Without a clear destination, it’s easy to drift aimlessly. Although window shopping can be an enjoyable leisure activity, you may have little to show for your sore feet by the end of the day. Life can be very similar. If you spend your time flitting between ideas, but never setting a plan of action, you may have difficulty accomplishing what you want. On the other hand, if you set a clear goal and pursue it relentlessly, you're much more likely to succeed. In this way, goal setting provides focus and allows you to track your progress.
2. Goals help us make decisions
What you want in life often shapes the choices you make. By setting a specific goal, you can create a framework for decisions about how to spend your time, energy and resources. For
example: “I want to save $10,000 in two years to take my family on a big overseas trip.” That goal has a number, a deadline and a strong emotional connection. It also makes it easier to decide whether to skip smaller expenses now to prioritize the bigger dream later. If you take it one step further, and break that number down into monthly saving allotments, your spending decisions can become even easier.
3. Goals offer a way to measure progress
Think about a time you used your phone’s GPS to get somewhere new. It gave you an estimated arrival time and alerted you when traffic might impede you. Goal tracking works much the same way. By checking in on your progress regularly, you can see whether you’re on track and if you need to speed up or adjust your route. Life will always have detours, but keeping your end goal in sight ensures you won’t lose your way entirely.
Chances are you don’t have just one goal. Maybe you want to buy a cottage, save for a new car and take that dream vacation. Since your resources aren’t unlimited, setting goals can help you prioritize how to save for each of your goals. You might decide, for example, that the vacation can wait while you focus on the new car, or perhaps your dream of a cottage by the lake is non-negotiable. Understanding which goals matter most can allow you to make intentional trade-offs, instead of simply reacting in the moment.
Ultimately, starting with a big goal can feel daunting. But when you define your intention and build a plan around it, you give yourself the clarity and motivation you'll need to keep moving forward. The real question to ask yourself might not be “How should I start?” but rather, “What do I want to achieve, and what steps will help get me there?”
4. Goals help us make trade-offs
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Timeless design, vintage charm and the thrill of the open road — do you have your heart set on owning a classic car?
*All prices cited were found via an online search conducted in September, 2025.
*All prices cited were found via an online search conducted in September, 2025.