Mindful Goal Setting
What if I told you that the secret to achieving more in 2025 isn't about doing more, but about slowing down?
I know it sounds counterintuitive, but I've watched this transform not only my own life but the lives of dozens of high-achieving women.
Today, I want to share exactly how it works.
The Wake-Up Call
Sometimes the universe keeps sending you the same message until you finally pay attention. That was me and slowing down in 2024. While I thought I was doing everything right - teaching yoga, running programs, helping other women find alignment in their lives - something felt off. I couldn't quite put my finger on it until I started working with a human design and energetic alignment coach.
What did we work on? Learning to slow down.
At first, I felt major resistance. How on earth would I get everything done? But here's the wild thing - when I finally gave myself permission to slow down, everything changed. Instead of rushing from one thing to the next, I started pausing to really listen to my inner voice, that quiet whisper of intuition we so often ignore because we're too busy to hear it.
The magic wasn't just in the big moments. It showed up in my morning coffee, in the way the sun hit the trees during my walks, in those quiet moments before my yoga practice. I got crystal clear on what I truly wanted - not what I thought I should want. And the most surprising part? I actually started accomplishing more, but in a way that felt effortless and aligned.
The Paradox of Speed
You know that feeling when you wake up and your mind is already racing with your to-do list? When your day is already going in your head before your feet even hit the floor?
We've been conditioned to believe that faster equals better. More efficient equals more successful. If we could just do more, be more, accomplish more... then we'd finally feel fulfilled. But here's what I've noticed: the more we push to be productive, the more disconnected we feel from ourselves.
This is what I call the paradox of speed - the faster we go, the more we miss. And the more we miss, the harder we push to make up for it. It's like being stuck in a hamster wheel of 'doing' without ever arriving at the 'being' we're actually craving.
The Three Pillars of Mindful Achievement
1. Grounding in the Present Moment
The first step is simple but powerful: we start small. Maybe it's three deep breaths before you get out of bed. Or feeling your feet on the floor as you make your morning coffee. These tiny moments of presence are the foundation of everything else.
2. Trusting Your Inner Wisdom
In the yoga sutras, there's a beautiful concept called pratyahara - turning our awareness inward. After spending years living up to others' expectations, many of us have forgotten how to hear our own inner voice. The solution? Create what I call "true self check-ins." When you catch yourself reacting to something, pause. Notice what you're feeling. Maybe it's a sensation in your gut or a tightness in your chest. This is your inner wisdom speaking.
3. Aligned Action
This is where the magic happens. In yoga, we talk about finding balance between effort and ease - sthira and sukha. It's not about doing nothing; it's about moving forward from a place of clarity and purpose. When we slow down enough to get clear, the right actions become obvious.
Common Challenges (And How to Navigate Them)
The Fear of Falling Behind
That voice that says "if I slow down, everything will fall apart"? I hear you. But here's what I've discovered: slowing down actually helps you see what truly needs your attention. Instead of spreading yourself thin across everything, you can focus your energy where it matters most.
External Pressure
Whether it's workplace culture, family expectations, or society in general pushing you to do more, more, more, here's a simple practice: before saying yes to anything, take three deep breaths. Just three breaths to check in with yourself. Does this align with your values? Is this where you want to spend your energy?
The Time Management Myth
I used to think if I just found the right productivity system, everything would fall into place. What I've learned is that clarity comes before productivity. When you're clear on what matters to you, time management becomes so much simpler.
The Transformation Journey
When you start embracing this slower, more mindful approach to achievement, the first thing you'll notice is discomfort. That's normal - just like when you try a new yoga pose, there's that initial wobble before you find your balance.
But then something beautiful happens. You begin to trust yourself more. Those moments of pause between reaction and response get longer. You start making decisions from a place of clarity rather than urgency. And you begin to notice magic in the ordinary moments of your day.
The biggest transformation? It's in how you feel about what you're achieving. Instead of checking boxes on an endless to-do list, you're moving forward with purpose. Your goals become less about proving your worth and more about expressing who you truly are.
Ready to Transform Your Approach?
If you're feeling called to step off that hamster wheel and into a more aligned way of being, I have something special for you. On January 23rd, 2025, I'm starting a new round of my Wildly Aligned Women program, where we'll take everything we've discussed today and put it into practice in a way that fits your real life.
To help you get started right away, I've created a free Daily Pause Points printable - your pocket companion for finding magic in the mundane. Download it at rachelhupp.com/episode45.
Remember, the magic isn't in doing more - it's in being more present for what you're already doing. The wisdom you're seeking? It's already within you.
Download your free Daily Pause Points Guide here
Embrace the Power of the Pause
Sign up below to receive Rachel's FREE gift to you - her Daily Pause Points printable. This mindful reminder to pause is designed to help slow down and find magic in the mundane.
Want more resources on mindful achievement & creating your own definition of success? Check out:
- Episode 43: Finding the Courage to Define Success Your Way (includes free Personal Success Compass guide)
- Episode 44: The Power of Letting Go
Ready to dive deeper? Learn more about the Wildly Aligned Women program at rachelhupp.com/wildlyaligned
Make 2025 Your Most Wildly Aligned Year Yet!
Wildly Aligned Women is a transformative journey where you'll reconnect with your authentic self and unlock the life you're meant to live.
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