Goal Setting with Victoria Sechrist
This is the first episode of a new year and I wanted to focus this episode on one of my favorite things to start a new year with, goal setting. For most of my childhood and adult life, I hated New Year’s resolutions and the idea of goal setting because I am such a type-A overachiever that I was always afraid of setting myself up for failure. It wasn’t until 10 years ago, when I became a financial planner and saw the game-changing power of goal setting for others, that I adopted it in my own life and my team at The Financial Gym works on this with their clients every single day.
Joining me today to talk about some secrets to goal setting and why it may not have worked for you in the past is one of my trainers from The Gym, Victoria. Victoria is actually a long-time podcast listener, but this is her first time as a guest!
What are we drinking?
Victoria - Smoothie
Shannon - Black Cherry Schweppes
Podcast Notes
Victoria is a Level 3 Certified Financial Trainer, who just celebrated her three-year anniversary with The Gym. Though, she’s been a long-time listener of the show.
Shannon and Victoria met seven years ago when Victoria was working as a freelance writer. She interviewed Shannon for a piece she was working on at the time and then again for the local news. Since then, she’s gotten engaged, married, and is now pregnant with her first baby.
When the first Financial Gym location opened, Victoria came to the opening night party!
GOAL SETTING
Goal setting is one of Shannon’s favorite topics. While she’s not a fan of New Year’s Resolutions, she does think there is something magical about the changing of the year or season. It’s a great time to reflect and refresh your goals! Setting resolutions felt like setting herself up for failure, but goals are different.
Setting the goal is half the battle. It is what sends you on the trajectory. Don’t let the fear of not achieving the goal keep you from setting it in the first place.
Victoria started working with a life coach this year and learned the importance of setting compelling goals. Finding the soul connection. If there isn’t a reason, when things get difficult, it’s easy to give up.
When trainers start working with clients, they ask about their goals. There are a number of different responses and the trainers are just meeting the client for the first time. They take what is said at face value. As they learn more about the client, the goals sometimes change.
A lot of times, people don’t know what they want. What goals to even set. It can be hard to figure out what our hearts and souls want vs. what outside influences tell us we want.
Are there any hobbies or skills you’ve wanted to explore, but haven’t been while working towards other things?
HOW TO FIGURE OUT THE GOAL
If money wasn’t an object, what would I really love to do? Take the numbers off the tables. Goals can have pretty big dollar signs and it can be hard to think about what is possible when you’re living paycheck to paycheck. Take some time to sit and think about it.
If you can’t answer, ‘why is this important?’ That is a red flag that your goal isn’t compelling enough. Maybe your goal isn’t what you think it’s supposed to be.
If the goal isn’t meaningful, as it starts to play out, it won’t be a priority.
The goal doesn’t have to be Earth-shattering or groundbreaking. Clients at The Gym set all different kinds of goals. For some people, it’s travel, tattoos, or their pets! There’s always money in those funds because that is what is most important to the client.
Start with smaller goals that are meaningful to you.
When clients are motivated, you can hear it in their voices.
Think about what achieving the goal will feel like. What do you want to feel once you’ve reached it?
Is it security, excitement, belonging? Once you know that feeling, it gives you a lot of insight into the goal. How can you generate those feelings in your current situation while you work towards the goal?
While reaching milestones like paying down debt can be life-changing, when clients get tunnel vision on goals without thinking about what’s next, they’re thinking, ‘now what?’ once the debt is paid off. Your life doesn’t magically become perfect once you achieve a goal. As humans we need motivation, to be working towards something with purpose.
We see clients reach their goals just to keep moving the finish line, and it’s never quite enough.
That’s why there are plenty of wealthy people who feel bad. They thought the wealth would change everything for them and they feel more empty than they expect.
It’s important to think about life beyond debt.
PLANNING FOR THE UNKNOWN KNOWN
Your goal should be unique to you. It’s your life, your journey.
It’s the client’s job to figure out the life goals and the Trainer’s job to make it work in the plan. The Gym is a safe place to explore your big goals.
Shannon always encourages people to save for big life events, even if they aren’t on the radar yet. Things like, buying a home, getting married, and starting a family. Life happens fast, and you never know when things may happen. You can meet someone and be engaged six months later. We don’t always have control of the timing, but it’s great to be prepared. When it comes to you, you’re ready financially.
Moments when you plan for the unknown and then it becomes known are some of the best. There are so many things that can happen over your lifetime.
Sometimes it takes years for the goals to become clear.
MAKING IT HAPPEN
Don’t let the big, audacious goals scare you. Even if you’re living paycheck to paycheck, only making $40,000 a year, or have $200 in your checking account, don’t limit the destinations without giving yourself the chance to try. The process of working towards big goals alone will change your behaviors and mindset.
Getting clear about what you truly want is the quickest way to reach your goals.
Shannon and Victoria see people accomplish big goals all of the time. November’s podcast episodes were all about Gym Magic.
A big part of the magic is setting the goal and putting it out there. Write it down, quantify it. Don’t be afraid of the numbers. There are so many ways to get there.
Once you know what you want, it’s all about figuring out how to make it happen.
Check in with yourself and be flexible. It’s okay to shift a goal if you realize it isn’t what you really wanted.
We’re used to telling ourselves, ‘I can’t afford this.’ As trainers, there’s nothing better than being able to tell clients, “Go for it! You CAN afford that house, car, purse, trip, or whatever else it is”
In getting ready for the new year, think about your goals. Sit and meditate on how you really want to feel. Let’s make this year the year you get closer to accomplishing them.
Takeaway: My biggest takeaway is that goals should be something that stirs your soul and I hope you’ll take the time out of your day to imagine what those things are and put them out there in the universe. If you want some support along the way, please feel free to share your big goals in the Martinis and Your Money Facebook group.
Random Three Questions
What is the thing you’re most excited about in becoming a new mom to a baby girl?
What is something you like to binge-watch?
If you won a million dollars, what would you do with it?
Mentioned in the Episode:
Effortless by Greg McKeown - mentioned by Victoria
Connect with Victoria
Victoria Sechrist - Level 3 Certified Financial Trainer
Listen to more of Victoria on episodes of Financially Naked: Stories From the Financial Gym
100th Episode Roundtable
Money Mindset With Victoria and Dr. Rebecca Smith
Your Goals vs. Other People’s Expectations
If you have any topics you would like for me to cover on this podcast or you’d like to get in the financially naked hotseat, I encourage you to email me to shannon@fingyms.com or join the private Martinis and Your Money Facebook Group and let me know what you want to hear.
We are officially beginning another year. Do you have your goals laid out or a good idea of where your financial roadmap is heading in 2022? Do you need a financial roadmap for 2022? I hope you’ll reach out to my team at Financial Gym to get started on one today. We have so many great and cost effective ways that you can work with us, plus, Martinis and Your Money listeners get 15% off of Financial Gym memberships. So if you’re ready to get started, head over to or send friends to financialgym.com to get signed up today.