Image from the Black Girl Heal website article: How to Think Outside the Box to Accomplish Your Goals
Goals

How to Think Outside the Box to Accomplish Your Goals

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Hello, my beautiful sisters!

Today, we’re diving into something powerful: thinking outside the box to accomplish your goals.

Sometimes, the path to your dreams isn’t paved with the obvious steps. You might have to innovate, adapt, or completely rewrite the rules. But here’s the good news—there’s more than one way to reach the finish line.

Let’s explore how to unlock your creative potential and find fresh approaches to achieving what you want in life.


Acknowledge the Challenges

I know that pursuing your goals can feel like hitting a wall over and over.

You’ve been trying the same strategies, but nothing seems to work. Maybe you’re frustrated, stuck, or even doubting yourself. But here’s the truth: sometimes the solution isn’t in the box—it’s outside of it.

Many of us are taught to follow the “right” path: go to school, get a job, climb the ladder, and eventually, success will come. But life doesn’t always fit into that tidy blueprint, does it?

That’s okay.

You have the power to create a new plan, one that works for you.


Step 1: Redefine the Goal

Ask yourself:

  • What do I truly want?
  • Why does this goal matter to me?

Sometimes the box we’re in is the one we’ve created for ourselves. When you strip your goals down to their essence, you might discover that your dream doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.

Example: If your goal is financial independence, it doesn’t have to mean working a traditional 9-to-5. It could mean starting a side hustle, freelancing, or investing.

Action Step: Write your goal in one sentence and list three unconventional ways to achieve it.


Step 2: Challenge Your Assumptions

Think about the beliefs holding you back:

  • “I need a degree to do this.”
  • “I have to work harder, not smarter.”
  • “I’m not ready yet.”

Question these thoughts. Often, they’re just stories we tell ourselves.

Action Step: Write down one assumption about why you can’t achieve your goal, then brainstorm three ways to overcome it.


Step 3: Seek Inspiration in Unlikely Places

Look for ideas outside your comfort zone.

  • Study industries or people unrelated to your field.
  • Read books, listen to podcasts, or attend events that challenge your usual way of thinking.
  • Surround yourself with creative, goal-oriented individuals who inspire you.

Example: If you’re an artist looking for funding, learn how entrepreneurs pitch to investors. If you’re starting a new business, study how top content creators build their brands.


Step 4: Break Down the Problem

Big goals can feel overwhelming, but when you break them into smaller pieces, they become manageable.

  • What’s one thing you can do today to move closer to your goal?
  • How can you reframe challenges as opportunities to learn?

Action Step: Create a weekly action plan with one small, outside-the-box step each day.


Step 5: Embrace Failure as Part of the Process

Here’s the thing: trying new approaches comes with the risk of failure. But failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s part of the journey. Every misstep is a lesson that brings you closer to your breakthrough.

Example: J.K. Rowling was rejected by 12 publishers before “Harry Potter” became a phenomenon. She thought outside the box and stayed persistent despite setbacks.

Action Step: Write a list of three lessons you’ve learned from past failures and how you’ll apply them moving forward.


Step 6: Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

Finally, remember that thinking outside the box is about progress, not perfection. Celebrate your creativity, your resilience, and every small step forward.

Action Step: Create a “wins” journal and jot down every outside-the-box idea you try, no matter the outcome.


image from the black girl heal website article: https://blackgirlheal.com/2025/01/manifest-your-dreams-how-to-use-a-vision-board-to-achieve-your-goals/
Credit: Canva

Sisters, your goals are yours to achieve, and the path to them is yours to create.

You don’t have to fit into someone else’s mold. Break free from the box, trust your instincts, and keep pushing forward.

Until next time, stay bold, stay creative, and stay true to your dreams. You’ve got this!

Author

  • Shelia Huggins Photo for Black Girl Heal Blog

    Shelia Huggins is a 20+ year attorney who has helped clients with their business and personal legal challenges. She blogs at Black Girl Heal to provide insight and practical strategies for those seeking to heal the struggles of their wallets, mindsets, and lives. Known as "Ms Legalista" on YouTube, she is passionate about helping people find their path and achieve the personal success they've been looking for.

    View all posts

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