January is a big time for big goals. That’s why last week felt like perfect timing to attend the book signing event for “Big Goals,” the latest inspiring book by my dear friend and fellow life coach, Caroline Adams Miller, at Politics & Prose in Washington, D.C. The afternoon was a celebration of resilience, ambition, and the power of aiming high, values Caroline has championed throughout her career and in her previous groundbreaking book, “Authentic Grit.” You can read my post about her first book and my interview with Caroline here. In her work, Caroline draws on decades of research in positive psychology, and her own experience as an executive coach.

As I arrived at the event, the room buzzed with energy. Fans, friends, and aspiring goal-setters filled the bookstore, eagerly flipping through the pages of “Big Goals” while waiting for the author herself to take the stage. When Caroline stepped up, her enthusiasm was contagious. She spoke with the warmth and candor that make her not just an extraordinary writer, but also an unparalleled motivator.

Caroline discussed the science behind why people think better when their bodies are fit. This is a topic she is well-versed in; Caroline herself is an accomplished athlete. Our mutual love of swimming is how my life first overlapped with Caroline’s.

In 2008, I knew nothing about life coaching, career coaching, or goal setting. I  had just discovered the wonders of having a swim coach. I joined a Masters swim group to build on my love of being in the water. I never anticipated that meeting Caroline, working with dedicated swim coaches, and becoming friends with other swimmers would have a major impact on my life.

Our 5am swim practices  introduced me to camaraderie with focused, fun, and fulfilled men and women of all ages. After practice during our locker room conversations, Caroline introduced me to the idea of goal setting. I was intrigued by the scientific approach she takes to her research and work as a coach. Her book “Creating Your Best Life” was touted as the first evidence-based mass-market guide to goal setting that combined the science of success with the science of well-being.

One day, I asked Caroline to meet me for coffee to discuss a vague plan I had of becoming a certified life coach. From that moment on, she was in my corner. With her encouragement, I moved out of my comfort zone, began training for certification, and built my life coaching practice. It was the start of my third career, my first foray into small business ownership, and some of the most fulfilling years of my life.

Caroline’s book talk at Politics & Prose centered on the main theme of Big Goals, her ninth book. She discussed why setting big, audacious, personally meaningful goals is essential for living a fulfilled life. She shared anecdotes from her life and her life coaching practice, illustrating how deliberate goal-setting has transformed not just her own path but also the lives of countless clients.

Without spoiling the book, I wanted to share a few snippets of Caroline’s wisdom that will help ensure that you too can make sure your “Big Goals” actually happen.

1. Ask yourself: do traditional approaches to accomplishing your goal actually work for people who look like you? This is especially applicable to women. Evidence shows women are now perceived as more competent than before, but they’ve not made any progress in the area of agency, which is goal-directed behavior that is associated with leadership and power.
2. The best goals focus on learning instead of specific outcomes. When we approach new and unexpected challenges as learning opportunities rather than just performance goals with measureable targets, we develop greater resilience and achieve more sustainable success.
3. Our brains do not learn helplessness. They learn mastery. Caroline believes we are less limited by our circumstances, more limited by our mindset about what’s possible. This is incredibly empowering, because it suggests we can all make big changes and achieve big goals, no matter our current circumstances. The evidence bears this out.
4. We now know that happiness and flourishing precede success, not the other way around. We must prime ourselves for achievement by elevating our well-being through gratitude, journaling, and meditation.

As her friend, I’ve witnessed Caroline’s relentless commitment to her own big goals. She’s a shining example of walking the talk, and her journey—from overcoming personal challenges to becoming a leading voice in goal-setting—serves as a testament to the principles she believes in.

During the Q&A session, attendees asked insightful questions about how to stay motivated, overcome setbacks, and find balance while pursuing big dreams. Caroline answered with her trademark blend of practicality and inspiration, leaving everyone—myself included—energized and ready to tackle the next big challenge. I couldn’t help but feel immense pride that my friend, who has both inspired me personally as a life coach, continues to make such a profound impact on so many lives.

According to Caroline, the future of achievement isn’t about what you do; it’s about who you become in the process, and how you connect with others along the way. I highly recommend reading “Big Goals,” and investing in life coaching, as you seek to make changes in your own life.

The Life Coach is Listening

Need an ally in this work? I believe we can change our lives one day at a time. We’re not broken, and we don’t need fixing. We have everything within ourselves to create a life where we’re thriving, not just surviving – and a life we love. With the right tools, a few powerful questions, and the intention to create something authentic, we can get to where we want to be. We don’t even have to know what “our best life” looks like, just that we want to live it.

Not sure if Life Coaching is for you? Read Life Coaching testimonials from several of my Grief and Loss Coaching clients here.

In my blog about Life Coaching vs. Therapy, I discussed the differences and reasons why you might want to hire me as your life coach.

Contact me for a complimentary, no-obligations life coaching phone consultation and we can work on making your life a more powerful, positive one together. Or use the Appointment Scheduler and pick a time that works for you. Although many look for a grief coach near me, I’ve found it makes the best use of everyone’s time to schedule appointments online and conduct them over the phone. This means I am a grief coach based in Washington, DC, and serving the world. I look forward to hearing from you.