Looking Back to Leap Forward: The Power of Reverse Goal Setting

We often set goals by looking ahead, but what if the greatest clarity comes from looking back? Reverse goal setting reveals how far you’ve already come — and how to move forward with intention.

We often talk about where we’re heading. But what if the key to your next breakthrough isn’t in setting a new goal - but in recognising how far you’ve already come?

Reverse goal setting invites you to pause. To stop chasing the next milestone long enough to notice the quiet success beneath your feet. It’s a reflective leadership tool rooted in self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and a growth mindset.

And in the relentless pace of school life, it’s a powerful way to reconnect with the soul of your leadership.

She didn’t need a map. Her footprints told the story. Sometimes we’re so focused on the next step that we forget how far we’ve already come.

What Is Reverse Goal Setting?

Reverse goal setting flips traditional goal-setting on its head. Rather than starting with what you want to achieve next, it begins with this question:

“What did I want, long ago… that I now have?”

Instead of striving forward with a deficit mindset, this approach invites you to reflect on past intentions and acknowledge where those seeds have quietly taken root. It’s not about measuring up to others’ expectations - it’s about recognising the personal growth that has already occurred.

Why It Matters: Soul-Led Reflection for School Leaders

In one of my summer term coaching sessions, a group of school leaders explored this practice together. They were tired. The term had tested every ounce of their resilience. But the room softened when I invited them to look back three years and ask:

Who was I then? What was I longing for?

One realised she had become the kind of leader she once admired - calm under pressure, consistent with her values.

Another shared how three years ago she longed for confidence in team meetings - and now chairs them without a flicker of fear.

These weren’t loud, headline achievements. But they were profound. And they gave rise to something rarer than motivation: peaceful self-recognition.

Looking Back at Home: How Far You’ve Already Come

This practice can be just as powerful at home. I recently did my own reverse goal setting as a mother. Three years ago, I was navigating grief, overwhelm, and trying to stay emotionally present for my girls.

I longed for more ease in our mornings. More laughter at the dinner table. More connection that didn’t have to be hard-won.

I looked around this month and realised… that’s what we have now. No grand event. No medal. But more presence, more softness, more us.

That, too, is a win worth honouring.

From Reflection to Renewal: Leaping Forward With Clarity

When we acknowledge our hidden progress, we interrupt the endless hustle to become more. We remember we’ve already become someone. That insight becomes a springboard - not into burnout, but into soulful clarity about what matters next.

Try it for yourself:

• Who were you three years ago?

• What did you crave, hope for, or pray for then?

• What have you now become, created, or experienced that you once longed for?

• What does that reveal about your direction now?

Reflection Prompt

This month, give yourself the gift of looking back. Journal, voice note, or walk with these questions in mind:

• What version of me have I already become?

• What success have I forgotten to celebrate?

• How does honouring that shape my next step?

For more on how to reconnect with your core values and lead from the inside out, read: Soul-Led Leadership: Finding Your Inner Compass

Over to You…

If this stirred something - a quiet breath of recognition, a tear, or a smile - let that be enough.

You don’t have to keep running.

You get to reflect. You get to honour.

And from that place of trust, you get to choose your next leap.

I’d love to hear what surfaced for you. Leave a comment, send me a message, or share this with someone who deserves to see how far they’ve come too.