It's Not Random Which One Trips You Up

Here's the part I find most interesting after years of using this with clients: which of the five you find hardest usually isn't random. It tends to track with how you're naturally wired. 

One client I worked with is a fantastic data analyst with an incredible eye for detail and an ability to present data in a succinct and understandable way. Having got so far in her career she wanted to go to the next step. However as brilliant as she is with data, she was struggling with setting goals that she believe she could achieve. Thinking with a more open mind about what was she was capable of moving forward, rather than what the data could prove she had done  was not something she was used to. For her the self-efficacy was the area that needed most work, not the planning. Someone more people-focused might find Support the easiest of the five as they instinctively bring others in, but struggle with Capacity, because protecting their own time can feel like letting someone else down. 

Understanding your own preferences doesn't just help you set better goals. It tells you in advance which of the five you'll need to spend more effort on, and where necessary lean into support for. 

Why This Matters 

Self-belief and willpower get most of the airtime in goal-setting conversations. Support rarely does — maybe because it can feel like admitting you can't do it alone. But building in support isn't a sign the goal is too big for you. It's what gives an ambitious goal a fighting chance. 

One Step at a Time 

You don't need to overhaul how you set every goal you have. Pick one that's currently stalling, and ask: which of the five is actually missing? Motivation, belief, a plan, capacity, or support?   

Then do one thing about it this week. Tell one person what you're trying to achieve and ask them to check in with you in a fortnight. That's often all it takes to turn "I want to" into "I did." 

And if you want a shortcut to knowing which of the five you'll personally need to lean into — that's exactly what a Lumina Spark profile shows you. If you'd like to explore this for yourself or your team, drop me a line.