Scary Goals, Brave Steps: Finding Courage to Conquer 2025

Hello Igniters!

I trust that 2025 is off to a good start for you and your loved ones! As we get our sea legs back after a refreshing holiday break, the new year air is heavy with potential, ambition and possibility. As we set our professional goals and draft plans to achieve our resolutions, we have set the challenge for the current version of ourselves. When you think about what it would feel like to achieve these goals you are overwhelmed with a feeling of achievement - but let’s pause for a moment and consider a different perspective: 

The Insight Igniter coaching question for January 13th, 2025:

What goal for 2025 scares you the most?

This question isn’t about fear for fear’s sake—it’s about uncovering the deeper meaning behind the goals that intimidate us. Often, the goals that provoke fear are the ones that truly matter. They signal growth, encourage evolution, and activate courage creating the potential to redefine who we are.

Signals Growth

When you reflect on past goals that scared you, what pattern do you notice? Fear often arises when we contemplate stepping beyond familiar boundaries within ourselves. Goals that scare us challenge our comfort zones and push us toward uncharted territory, which is essential for growth. A personal example was obtaining my Executive Coaching Certification, a goal I wrestled with for years. Every time I tried to push it aside, the desired resurfaced. That persistence told me it’s a goal worth pursuing, and I was prepared to expose myself to critique to realize a better version of myself. I can with certainty and confidence say I am a better person, husband, and effective coach because of obtaining the Coaching Certification.

Encourages Evolution

Fear can mark the boundary between where we are and where we want to go. By identifying the goal that scares us most, we confront our limitations and explore our untapped potential. Over the last 2 weeks I have spent a majority of client coaching sessions supporting leaders in cultivating their yearly objectives. Many fearful goals involve stepping into new or enhanced leadership roles. The responsibility of guiding others, making strategic decisions, or representing an organization can feel daunting but also fosters growth in confidence, decision-making, and influence. By reflecting on the question “What goal for 2025 scares you the most?” leaders can develop actions to learn new skills, adopt new leadership paradigms and relinquishing control over how business outcomes are realized, freeing them up to focus on alternative strategic initiatives.

Activates Courage

Courage is a force that propels us out of our comfort zones and into the world of possibility. The coaching question, "What goal for 2025 scares you the most?" is a powerful catalyst for activating courage because it forces us to confront the dark edges of our potential and accept the fears tethering us to safety. A goal that scares us carries an implicit challenge to confront the emotions, time demands, and lack of control we may have over the result. Consider exploring your goal in the context of the following and how effective it is for moving you outside of your comfort zone:

Significance: The goal aligns with your core values or long-term aspirations

Uncertainty: You may not yet see the clear path to achieving it

Risk: There’s something meaningful at stake, like your reputation, resources, or emotional vulnerability

If you are courageous enough to acknowledge the significance, uncertainty and risk associated with your goal you may just realize a better version of yourself greater than previously thought possible.

As 2025 unfolds, the question “What goal for 2025 scares you the most?” becomes a litmus test for how fully you are living. Comfort zones, while tempting, offer little reward beyond temporary satisfaction. The beauty of this coaching question is that it not only identifies a goal but also challenges you to rewrite your narrative about fear. Instead of viewing fear as a roadblock, it becomes a guide — your companion on your journey to a better version of yourself and leading life fully experienced.

Until next time – Stay ignited!

Best,

Stef