In celebration of National Career Coaches Day, we’re highlighting the important role career coaches play in helping individuals navigate transitions, clarify direction, and move forward with confidence—especially during moments of uncertainty or professional change.
Career coaches don’t map out every step for us; they help us think more clearly, ask better questions, and take intentional action toward work that aligns with our values and long-term goals. That’s why we’re excited to feature this guest post from Hera Hub member and career coach Kristina Au. Her insights offer practical guidance for closing the gap between where you are in your career today and where you want to be.
Here are 5 tips for pursuing your big goals, written by coach Kristina Au, with practical insights to help you gain clarity, stay focused, and move forward with intention.
5 Tips for Pursuing Your Big Goals
By Kristina Au
This article originally appeared at kristinaau.com/5-tips-for-pursuing-your-big-goals/
We all experience moments when there’s a gap between where we are and where we want to be. In the brisk, distracted pace of daily life, it can be difficult to stay focused on the initiatives and projects that matter most. Pausing to reconnect with what’s important helps stabilize our attention and brings clarity back into view.
Sometimes the projects we want to pursue never quite get off the ground because we don’t know where to start. Often, clarity itself is the hardest part. With so many options available, what are we truly reaching for? What results do we want—now and in the future?
When we begin with the end in mind, the quality of our goals improves. That clarity naturally leads us to the next step forward.
Pursuing meaningful goals can be challenging, and they almost always take longer than expected—especially when achievement depends on personal change. So how do we stay the course?
1. Determine
Are you ready to set the goal? If you’re doing the work but clarity still feels elusive, you may need more information.
Caveat: Learn to distinguish between different types of procrastination. Are you making excuses, or do you genuinely need more data before moving forward?
2. Define
Break the goal into small, manageable pieces. Create milestones so progress feels visible and achievable rather than overwhelming.
3. Deadline
Set a deadline that stretches you without being unrealistic. Most of us work better with a bit of pressure. Share your goal and timeline with others to create accountability.
4. Ignore the “Internal Committee”
The internal voices of doubt are often loud and convincing—but most of the time, they should not be heeded.
Example #1: If you’re standing on the edge of a cliff preparing to hang glide, listen to doubt long enough to make sure you’re prepared—then enjoy the ride.
Example #2: If you’re getting ready to build or create something and that voice says, “Who are you to do this?”—ignore it.
5. Celebrate
Revel in your achievements as they occur. Celebration can be quiet or bold, simple or elaborate. The point is to acknowledge progress along the way. Finding joy in small wins helps slow life down and affirms your growth.
In honor of National Career Coaches Day, we celebrate the career coaches who help people navigate change, build confidence, and make intentional decisions about their professional paths.
We’re grateful for career coaches like Kristina Au, who support individuals in defining their goals, building momentum, and creating careers that truly align with who they are and where they want to go.
About the Author
Kristina Au is a coach and people-operations strategist who helps small and growing businesses build clarity, confidence, and sustainable growth.
With an SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) and an MSEL (Master’s in Executive Leadership), Kristina brings deep experience in transformative coaching for individuals and strategic people operations for small- to mid-sized organizations. Her work blends practical, right-sized strategy with intuitive coaching to support leaders and teams through transition, organizational change, and growth.
At the heart of her work is a belief that meaningful change and growth begin when we step outside our comfort zones. Kristina partners with leaders who are ready to build thoughtfully, lead with intention, and grow in ways that are both human-centered and sustainable.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinaau/
Website: kristinaau.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/kristina_au_coach
