Choosing BOLD Over Same-Old

Had enough wishing, waiting, and wondering 'what if'? Let's take your bold and meaningful goal and make it happen!

Jan 14, 2026

Whether or not you’re a big poetry reader, you might be familiar with Robert Frost’s famous poem, The Road Not Taken - or at least its final lines:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
and that has made all the difference.1

Taking the road less traveled, carving a new path, choosing bold over comfortable…it’s an invigorating idea, isn’t it? Especially when we watch someone else do it, or when it’s safely within the confines of our own minds.

Actually choosing that path may evoke all kinds of other thoughts and feelings!

The road less traveled is often challenging, scattered with obstacles, and requires a fair amount of hard work without certainty of where it will lead. It will likely call us to be courageous, persistent, and bold. It may prove exhausting at times, overwhelming at others.

So, why even bother?

And if we do choose to bother, where on earth do we begin?

That’s what today’s article is all about.

The Why

One of the main reasons I started my coaching firm back in 2003, and one of the biggest drivers that keeps me going to this day, is this:

When we move toward a vision aligned with our values, and have the right support and tools in place, we can achieve so much more - and with greater meaning and purpose - than we imagined. We can move from wishing, waiting, and wondering ‘what if’ to making our positive, purposeful difference - right here, right now.

Little excites me as much as this possibility - other than making this the reality!

And just like I have a strong why behind the work I do, that’s where I recommend starting with a bold and meaningful goal, too.2 As you consider your big dream or bold goal, ask yourself a few questions, such as:

Why does the goal matter to you?
What will be different - for you, your family, your community, your cause, and/or other entity - once you achieve it?
If you began moving toward your goal today, what might you be able to say a year from now that you cannot currently say?
If you don’t begin, what might you be saying to yourself a year from now?
Why do you believe this dream or goal has appeared for you? If it is a long-standing dream or goal - and considering how forgetful or ‘instant gratification mode’ we often are - why do you believe it has stuck with you for so long?

Questions like these can help you get to the why behind your goal. And when you know the why, the rest tends to come much more readily.

Same-Old, or Bold?

Doing the same thing over and over, expecting but not seeing different results, can definitely prove frustrating. This applies to goals, too: If you’ve set the same goal numerous times but have yet to experience progress, you might find yourself less than enthusiastic about all the new year goal-setting conversations currently going on around us.

What if, instead of setting a same-old or ‘should’ goal, you imagined taking a dream off the back burner, or an exciting idea off the someday shelf, and setting it into motion?

That’s what the Bold Goal approach is all about. Bold Goals stretch us, encourage us to think and do things differently, and have the potential to lead to bold and difference-making outcomes. Bold Goals typically require bold actions, which help us become more bold in the process, too.

And let’s clear up a couple of misconceptions about ‘bold’ while we’re here:

Bold does not require comparison of any sort. What feels bold to me might be something you do regularly and vice versa. Totally fine. In the world of Bold Goals, you get to define ‘bold’ for yourself.
Bold does not need to mean loud, flashy, or on a world stage. Some of the most powerful Bold Goals I’ve had the honor of coaching clients through have shown up in the form of a persistent whisper; likewise, they are often completed quietly, purposefully, courageously.

Bold is purposeful - and personal. Maybe it’s writing a book, stepping into a leadership role, applying for a degree or certification program, or exhibiting your artwork.

Maybe it’s putting yourself out there by attending more events, learning a new language or instrument as an adult, becoming active with the cause so dear to your heart, or signing up for a 5k or a triathlon.

Maybe it’s building your communication skills to increase clarity and strengthen relationships, building a program for your department to enhance morale and satisfaction, or building an actual building to bring together various nonprofits that work together in the community.

I could list hundreds of additional examples, but what matters is the one that’s got your meaningful wheels turning.

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Where To Begin

As with so much in life, there is no ‘one right way’ to achieve a Bold Goal. There are, however, some considerations that can help us get started on the right foot. A few to ponder:

1. Know Your Why.

I mentioned knowing your why above but it’s worth restating here. Having worked in this field for over 20 years and researched it for even longer, I have yet to find a greater motivator than purpose. Knowing the why behind your goal can help clarify the path to reach it, provide motivation when things become challenging, and consistently remind you why you’re putting forth the effort.

2. Get Crystal Clear.

Vague, ambiguous goals tend to lead to vague, ambiguous results. In some instances, this can be fine; if I just want to spend a bit more time on a hobby than I do now, for example, I might not need to specify beyond that. With Bold Goals, however, we can benefit from having a clear vision towards which we are moving. It’s like the difference between a leisurely Sunday morning drive in the country vs. driving to the right conference center at the right time for the event you’ve been preparing for all year - both can be valuable and serve a purpose, but we want to be intentionally clear which one we are pursuing.

3. Seek Out Support.

As you imagine bringing your Bold Goal to life, remember you don’t have to go it alone. Consider who you might reach out to for support along the way, such as an accountability partner, a mastermind group, or a mentor. Also consider hiring a trained professional to serve as a guide or help shorten your learning curve. On that note, you might look into my one-time Bold Goal Coaching Session opportunity, currently at a special savings in celebration of my coaching firm’s upcoming 23rd anniversary! Details are on my website (link below) or email me to request the flyer.

What Bold Path Will You Choose?

What would you love to create, achieve, or move the needle forward on this year?

Where would you love to experience growth?

Where would you like to make a difference, and how might setting a goal in that area help you do so?

What dream, goal, or idea have you put on the back burner for months, or maybe years, or maybe decades (this is not uncommon!), that you now feel you want to dust off and try?

Consider playing around with these kinds of questions, maybe while on a walk or by creating a Breakthrough Map, and see what rises to the surface for you. Begin experimenting with uncovering your why, clarifying your vision, and considering your support. See what ideas or emotions the thought of working toward and achieving your goal evokes. Does it feel bold? Difference-making? Meaningful? Purposeful?

I am choosing a bold and meaningful path this year. How about you? Like Robert Frost reminded us, it could make all the difference - and allow us to make our positive, purposeful difference while we’re at it.

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