How does taking time to identify all of the possible options for achieving your goal(s), instead of just jumping into action, lead to more successful and sustainable outcomes? Well, that’s what you’ll discover in Episode 9 of the Change Your Life! podcast… your practical guide to creating a better life for yourself.
Episode Transcript
When it comes to achieving your goals, it’s tempting to dive straight into action, driven by the excitement of making progress. But before you take that leap, have you truly explored all of the possibilities? In today’s episode, I’m going to be exploring the benefit of taking time to identify your potential options first — a step that often gets overlooked, but it’s one that’s essential for making successful changes in your life.
If you’re ready to discover how exploring your options can lead to more meaningful and lasting change then you’re in luck, because that’s what this episode is all about… so grab a seat and let’s talk about how to Change Your Life!
Hello and welcome to Episode 9 of the Change Your Life! podcast… your practical guide to creating a better life for yourself!
I’m Jeremy Godwin, I’m a writer, coach, and mental health counsellor, and I talk to clients about this type of stuff for a living (plus you might also be familiar with my other podcast, Let’s Talk About Mental Health, where I teach people how to improve their wellbeing each week). In this special 12-part series I’m sharing all the practical advice I possibly can about how to change your life for the better, based on quality research as well as all the stuff I’ve been learning along the way over the past few years where I’ve been making a lot of changes in my own life.
Last week I talked about how to make your goals much more effective by taking the time to explore your current reality before you take any other action, and this week I’ll take that even further by helping you to figure out what your options are to achieve your goals (which leads to a higher likelihood of actually achieving your goals).
So, let’s start by talking about…
What ‘identifying your options’ means
Identifying your options means exploring and considering all of the possible ways you could achieve your goal (or goals) rather than just immediately running with one specific approach, which allows you to choose the most effective and aligned path forward.
When it comes to achieving your goals it can be tempting to dive straight into action, because you probably want to get started and start making tangible progress. But, before you take that leap, just stop for a moment and consider whether or not you’ve explored all the possible ways to turn your goal into a reality? Because there’s more than one way to reach a destination, and each route has its own pros and cons. Taking some time to identify all of your potential options is a step that often gets overlooked, but it’s one that is essential for creating a strategy that not only works but also finding one that resonates with you on a deeper level (not to mention one that helps you to deal with the root cause of whatever your current situation is, like we discussed in Episode 8 last week).
Taking a moment to explore your options — really explore them — can make all the difference between a rushed attempt that doesn’t achieve what you want or need it to achieve, or a well-thought-out plan that actually works.
So, what does it actually mean to identify your potential options? Broadly speaking, it’s about creating a space where you can explore all the different ways you could potentially achieve your goal. This isn’t just about listing a few obvious paths and then choosing the one that seems easiest. Instead, it’s about opening your mind to a wide range of possibilities, even those that might initially seem a bit ‘out there’ or unconventional.
Think of it like being at a crossroads with several paths ahead of you. If you just pick the first path you see, you might end up missing out on a route that could have been much more rewarding or aligned with your values. By identifying as many potential options as possible, you’re giving yourself the freedom to explore all the paths available to you before making a decision about how to proceed. It’s about understanding that there’s more than one way to get to where you want to go, and sometimes the less obvious route might offer the best experience or outcome.
In a practical sense, identifying your potential options is about brainstorming, researching, and allowing yourself to entertain different ideas without immediately judging them. This stage of the process is all about quantity over quality — at least initially. You want to generate as many ideas as possible, no matter how wild or unlikely they may seem. This approach, often referred to as the ‘no dumb ideas’ rule, encourages creativity and helps you break out of your usual way of thinking.
When you do this, you’re giving yourself permission to think outside the box and consider possibilities you might have otherwise dismissed. Maybe achieving your goal involves taking a course, but maybe it could also involve finding a mentorship, or using online resources, or even making a complete career pivot. Perhaps the most obvious option is to work harder, but what if the answer lies in working smarter, collaborating with others, or even taking a break to reset your mind? The point is, you won’t know until you’ve explored all of the possibilities!
This process isn’t just about throwing ideas at a wall to see what sticks, though. It’s about creating a really rich pool of ideas from which you can draw, not just now, but in the future as well. This is important because the first option you choose to focus on might not work out as planned; it sucks, but it happens… that’s life and we can never fully control the outcome of everything. When things don’t go the way you might have hoped, it’s easy to feel disheartened or stuck… but if you’ve taken the time to explore a variety of options, then you’ll have other ideas ready to go — other paths to try — and you can pick yourself up and keep going quicker than if you have to go back to the drawing board to figure out a Plan B. This can help you to stay resilient and keep moving forward, even when things don’t go according to plan.
By the end of this process, which I’ll walk you through shortly, you’ll have a list of potential options that you can review, refine, and eventually choose from. This might involve needing to do some research; for example, looking into what other people have done, seeking advice from experts, or even trying out a few smaller steps to see how they feel. The important thing is that you’re not just rushing into action, but instead taking the time to set yourself up for success by considering all the different ways you could achieve your goal.
This is all about exploration and creativity. It’s about giving yourself the space to think broadly, and having the courage to give some thought to paths that you might not have even considered otherwise. This is where you lay the groundwork for what comes next — choosing the way forward, the specifics of how you’re going to work on your goal and achieve it — and so the more thorough you are here, in this process of gathering ideas for how to do that, the more confident you’ll be when it’s time to take action. Because, in the end, it’s not just about reaching your destination, but about doing so in a way that’s meaningful and sustainable for you.
OK, so, now let’s talk about…
Why identifying possible options matters
And I sort-of already started talking about this earlier anyway, but the thing is that taking the time to explore your options isn’t just something that’s nice to do; it’s an absolute must if you want to have a stronger chance of actually achieving your goals and making lasting changes in your life.
In general terms, identifying your potential options is about giving yourself the opportunity to fully understand the landscape before making a decision. It’s a bit like navigating unfamiliar territory; if you just start walking without a map or a plan, you might end up lost or, at the very least, taking a much longer route than necessary. By exploring your options, you’re essentially creating a mental map of the possibilities, which can save you time, energy, and frustration in the long run.
This process also helps you avoid the pitfalls of having ‘tunnel vision’. When we’re focused on a goal, it’s easy to become fixated on one particular path (often the most obvious or familiar one). But the thing is that that approach can limit your success, because you might overlook other, potentially better, ways to achieve your goal; I’ve done it myself many times with creative projects (even with this podcast!), where I’ve been so focused on taking a very specific approach that I didn’t give myself the benefit of taking the time and space to look at all of the potential options available to me… and so that then locked me into a very narrow path, with a lot less flexibility. By taking the time to consider a variety of options, you’re opening yourself up to new ideas, fresh perspectives, and creative solutions that you might not have considered otherwise.
Now… when it comes to achieving your goals specifically, identifying your potential options is even more important. Goals, especially significant ones, are rarely straightforward. They often involve multiple steps, require adjustments along the way, and sometimes even a complete change in approach. And they’re often things that we don’t currently have all of the skills or knowledge necessary to achieve (or, at least, not just yet!) and so we need to push ourselves to look outside of just our own thought processes and instead to look at the many possible ways we could get to the destination we want to reach.
If you jump straight into action without exploring your options first, you’re essentially betting everything on one strategy. If that strategy doesn’t work, you might find yourself back at square one, feeling frustrated and discouraged.
However, when you’ve taken the time to identify your options, you’re not just relying on one plan of action. You’ve got a toolkit of ideas and approaches that you can draw from, which increases your chances of success. For example, let’s say your goal is to improve your health. If you only focus on one method, like going to the gym, you might miss out on other effective options like changing your diet, improving your sleep, or managing stress. By considering a range of options, you can find a combination that works best for you, leading to better and more sustainable results. You might even discover options that deliver over and above what you were hoping to achieve; for example, maybe you end up trying yoga which leads you to achieving better physical health and a much greater sense of peace of mind.
Identifying your options also gives you the flexibility to adapt when things don’t go as planned. Let’s face it… life is unpredictable, and even the best-laid plans can hit the fan when we least expect it. If you’ve only considered one way to achieve your goal, a single setback could derail your entire effort. But if you’ve explored multiple options, then you’re going to be much better equipped to pivot and try something else without losing momentum. This type of adaptability is key to overcoming obstacles and staying on track towards your goals.
Another reason why it’s important to identify your potential options before jumping into action is that it encourages more thoughtful decision-making. When you take the time to explore different possibilities, you’re more likely to choose an option that aligns with your values, resources, and long-term vision. This alignment increases your motivation and commitment, because you’re not just following a path mindlessly; instead, you’re actively choosing the one that feels right for you and which is (hopefully) most aligned to your specific goals.
Jumping straight into action might feel satisfying in the moment, especially if you’re eager to make progress. But without a clear understanding of your options, you can end up making choices that are less effective, less aligned with your true needs, or even counterproductive. Identifying your potential options before taking action sets you up for success, because it allows you to move forward with confidence, knowing that you’ve considered your choices carefully and are prepared for whatever may come your way.
So, how do you do all of that? Well that’s a great question that I’m about to answer, but first let’s take a quick break to hear from the brands that help me create this show each week.
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And welcome back! Now let’s talk about…
How to identify ways to achieve your goals
OK, so, start by generating as many ideas as possible — and this is about coming up with as many options as you possibly can, embracing a ‘no dumb ideas’ mindset. That means casting a wide net and allowing your creativity to flow, without worrying about whether the ideas are realistic, practical, or even remotely feasible. The goal is to create a space where every possibility, no matter how unconventional, is both welcomed and explored. Begin by setting aside dedicated time for brainstorming, either on your own or with other people who can bring different perspectives. Start by writing your goal at the top of a page and then thinking about what you could do to make it happen; let your imagination run wild, and note down every idea that comes to mind (even if it feels silly or downright insane). Don’t filter or judge — just let the ideas pour out. This approach helps you avoid getting stuck in a narrow way of thinking and it gives you permission to cast aside self-judgement for a while, opening up possibilities that you might not have considered otherwise. Once you’ve generated a long list of options, you can then start to review and refine them, but the first step is to let your creativity take the lead and get as many ideas out of your head and onto paper as you can.
Let’s talk through a number of other ways to help you find these ideas, starting with…
Set a timer for rapid brainstorming — sometimes, putting a little pressure on yourself can lead to a burst of creativity. Set a timer for 10 or 15 minutes and challenge yourself to come up with as many ideas as possible for potential options to achieve your goal before the time runs out. This helps because it pushes you to think quickly and it prevents you from over-analysing your ideas too much. You can do this by simply grabbing a notepad and pen, setting a timer, and then writing down every idea that comes to mind. Don’t worry about whether they’re good or bad — just focus on getting them down on paper. Next…
Research similar goals or challenges — one of the best ways to generate options is to look at how others have achieved similar goals, which can provide you with tried-and-tested strategies that you can adapt to your own situation. It can be as simple as searching YouTube or Google, or forums like Reddit, to find out how other people have tackled similar things. My only note of caution here is that you need to remember that other people are not you; we each have our own set of circumstances and life experiences, and so what works for one person may not work for you… but it can definitely help you find inspiration (or even figure out what doesn’t feel right for you, which can be just as important to learn as what does feel right for you). There are lots of other ways to find this sort of information: try reading books, articles, or case studies, or listen to podcasts that discuss similar challenges, etc. Take note of the approaches that resonate with you, and consider how you might apply them to your own goal. OK, next…
Ask yourself open-ended questions — because open-ended questions are a great way to encourage more expansive thinking. Instead of asking yourself, ‘What’s the best way to achieve this goal?’, try asking something like, ‘What are all the possible ways I could achieve this?’ This broadens your thinking and invites more options to the table. Try regularly prompting yourself with open-ended questions during your brainstorming sessions, encouraging yourself to explore beyond the obvious answers. Alright, next…
Imagine your ideal outcome — sometimes it can be really helpful to start with the end in mind. Imagine that you’ve already achieved your goal — what does that look like? How did you get there? This helps to shift your focus from the obstacles in your way to the possibilities that lie ahead. You can do this by visualising your ideal outcome and then working backwards to identify the steps that led you there. This can open up new options that you might not have considered if you were only focused on your current situation. Next…
Break your goal down into smaller steps — a great way to identify your options is to break your goal down into smaller and more manageable parts. Ask yourself what specific steps or milestones need to be achieved along the way, and then brainstorm options for each of those steps. This can make your goal feel less overwhelming and it allows you to focus on one piece of the puzzle at a time. You can do this by creating a list of sub-goals or mini-tasks that, when completed, will move you closer to your overall goal. OK, next…
Use Mind Mapping to explore connections — OK, so mind mapping is a visual tool that helps you organise your thoughts by connecting ideas in a diagram around a central concept. So, you start with your main idea in the centre of the page and then draw branches to related ideas, creating a web of connected thoughts that can help you explore and develop your ideas further (if you’d like more clarity on that, just do a quick search on YouTube or Google and you’ll find there are thousands of explainers out there). The point here is that this kind of creative tool encourages a kind-of ‘non-linear’ way of thinking, allowing you to see connections and relationships between different ideas, so it can be particularly helpful. You can do this by simply using paper and pen, or a free online tool, to map out your ideas and see where they might lead you. Next…
Seek out different perspectives — you’ll find that getting input from others can be incredibly valuable when identifying your options. Different people will have different experiences, knowledge, and ideas that can expand your thinking, so you can potentially be exposed to options you might not have considered on your own. Discuss your goal with friends, family, colleagues, or even a mentor, and ask for their thoughts on how you might achieve it. Be open to their suggestions, even if they’re different from what you might have expected, and make a note of anything that feels right for you. OK, next…
Use ‘What If?’ scenarios — so, ‘What If?’ scenarios are a great way to explore different possibilities without getting too bogged down in reality. Ask yourself questions like, ‘What if money wasn’t an issue?’ or ‘What if I had all the time in the world?’ This helps to free you from the constraints of your current situation and allows you to think more creatively. You can do this by writing down a list of ‘what if?’ questions (or Googling some if you can’t think of any) and then brainstorming options based on each one, which can lead to some unexpected and innovative ideas. Next…
Embrace constraints as opportunities — while it’s important to think as freely as you possibly can, sometimes there are unavoidable constraints that have to be taken into account… and so embracing them, instead of resisting them, can lead to creative solutions. For example, if you’re short on time to achieve your goal, ask yourself how you might be able to make it happen in just 30 minutes a day. This helps by forcing you to focus on what’s truly essential and it can lead to more efficient strategies. Identify any constraints you’re facing and then brainstorm options that work within those specific limitations. Next…
Consider the opposite approach — sometimes, thinking in opposites can help you see things from a new perspective; for example, I find it helpful to encourage clients to consider what they don’t want if they’re stuck trying to figure out what they do want. Ask yourself what you would do if you wanted to achieve the opposite of your goal. This can reveal hidden assumptions or biases in your thinking and open up new possibilities. You can do this by imagining a scenario where you’re trying to avoid your goal at all costs — what would you do? Then, flip those actions around to see if they might actually help move you towards your goal! OK, next…
Try taking a break — if you’re struggling to come up with a list of potential options, then maybe it’s time to take a break and come back with fresh eyes, or even to leave it until the following day and sleep on it… because, sometimes, the best way to generate new options is to step away from the problem for a while. Taking a break gives your brain time to process the information subconsciously, which often leads to new insights. Try taking a walk, doing something creative, or simply resting for a while, and then return to your brainstorming session with renewed energy and perspective.
OK, so all of these ideas are going to help you to generate a list of options for how you can work to achieve your goals… and so I’m guessing you’re wondering what to do with them next? Well, that’s what I’m exploring in the next episode! I know it probably seems like I’m dragging things out and I really don’t mean to; my entire focus here is to help you work through changing your life step by step (rather than just rushing through things) and so next time I’m going to take you through how to really let the rubber hit the road so you can start making those changes (and, hopefully, be a lot more successful than if you had have just jumped straight into action mode!).
Summary & Conclusion
So, the main thing I’d like to leave you with today is this:
Identifying your potential options isn’t just a step in the process — it’s the foundation upon which your success is built. By taking the time to explore all the possibilities, you’re giving yourself the best chance to find a path that truly resonates with you and which aligns with your values. So, embrace the creativity, enjoy the exploration, and trust that every option you consider brings you one step closer to achieving your goals in a meaningful and sustainable way. The power to create the life you want lies in your hands, and by thoughtfully considering your options you’re setting yourself up for a journey that’s not only successful but also deeply fulfilling. Now, go and start brainstorming those options and let the adventure begin! You’ve got this!
So, by way of closing out, each week I like to share a quote that’s relevant to the subject; this one about limitations is by an unknown author, and it is: “Life has no limitations, except for the ones you make.”
Alright… that’s it for this episode; like I said before, next week I’ll be talking about the next step in working on your goals, based on the fourth stage of the GROW model, which is ‘way forward’. Once you have a clear goal in mind, understand the current reality, and have a set of potential options for what you could do to achieve that goal, now it’s time to figure out what you will do (as well as how you’ll do it, and by when, and so on and so forth!). Next time I’ll be guiding you through how to make an action plan that works, as well as how to put your plan in motion so you can turn your goal into a reality.
I hope you’ll join me for that episode; hit ‘follow’ on your preferred podcast platform so you never miss an episode (and turn on notifications; I release new episodes on Wednesdays); as I’ve said previously, I’m committing to 12 episodes for this first season, and then we’ll see what happens from there.
If this episode was helpful, please give it a like so other people can find it and leave me a note to tell me what you thought; if you’re on Spotify scroll down and leave a comment in the Q&A section below, or you can find me on Instagram @itsjeremygodwin. Sign up to my mailing list for free at itsjeremygodwin.com to have episode transcripts and audio emailed to you each week, and support me on Patreon for early access to ad-free episodes of all of my podcasts; you’ll find all of those links in the episode description.
Thank you very much for joining me today! Have an absolutely fantastic day, night, whatever it is when you’re listening, and I’ll talk to you next time. Take care!
Change Your Life! is an independent program proudly produced by Reconnaissance Media. For more information, visit reconnaissancemedia.com
Jeremy Godwin 
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