Big Goals
The Science of Setting Them, Achieving Them, and Creating Your Best Life
1. Edition November 2024
256 Pages, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Unlock the Secret to Achieving Your Biggest Goals
No matter where you are in your journey--hesitant to begin, frustrated by failure, or striving for even greater success--Big Goals offers a proven roadmap to turn your ambitions into reality. Drawing on 15 years of cutting-edge positive psychology research and Caroline Adams Miller's extensive coaching expertise, this book equips you with practical tools, unique worksheets, and actionable strategies to take charge of your personal growth and professional success.
If you've struggled with setting or reaching your goals, the problem isn't your ambition--it's your approach. Big Goals introduces a fresh, science-backed framework to help you overcome obstacles, stay motivated, and achieve results that truly matter.
Through the pages of Big Goals, you'll discover:
* How to use positive psychology practices to build grit, resilience, and a winning mindset.
* The BRIDGE methodology (Brainstorming, Relationships, Investments, Decisions, Grit, and Excellence) to clarify your goals and maintain momentum.
* How to integrate Goal Setting Theory (GST) for smarter task management, effective feedback, and consistent performance improvements.
Packed with practical advice and real-world insights, Big Goals will inspire you to dream bigger and work smarter--whether you're aiming for personal transformation, career advancement, or organizational success.
Introduction xiii
Part I The Pillars of Productivity 1
Chapter 1 The State of Goal Setting Today 5
Chapter 2 The Emergence of a Better Way 17
Chapter 3 The Science-Based "Secret" 33
Chapter 4 The BRIDGE from Theory to Success 53
Part II Crossing the BRIDGE 63
Chapter 5 Brainstorming 65
Chapter 6 Relationships 87
Chapter 7 Investments 101
Chapter 8 Decision-Making 115
Chapter 9 Good Grit 129
Chapter 10 Excellence 145
Part III Supplemental Resources 159
Acknowledgments 209
About the Author 211
Index 213
--ANGELA DUCKWORTH, New York Times bestselling author of Grit, winner of the McArthur Genius Grant, and co-director of Behavior Change for Good Lab
"This is the best book on goal setting. Period."
--BRIAN JOHNSON, co-founder & CEO of Heroic and author of Areté
"Caroline Adams Miller has done a superb job of translating my theory of goal setting I developed with Edwin Locke, as well as the empirical research on which it is based, into every day meaningful, memorable language so that all of you can put our findings into practice immediately to bring about changes you desire on and off your jobs."
--GARY LATHAM, co-founder of Goal Setting Theory and author of Becoming the Evidence-Based Manager
"Caroline Miller's pioneering books connecting the science of goal setting with the science of happiness are must-reads for anyone who wants to live their best life. Empirically grounded and splendidly accessible, this is the best and most timely book I've read on goal setting, because it links all of the most important science together while making it relevant to a rapidly changing 21st century world."
--SONJA LYUBOMIRSKY, Ph.D., distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside and author of The How of Happiness
"Entrepreneurs with big dreams and ambitions will always benefit from working with the science of goal-setting. Caroline has the unique ability of interpreting the science of goal-setting in a relatable and actionable way."
--DR. NADINE HACHACH-HARAM, founder and CEO, Proximie
"I was blown away by the practical, step-by-step process Caroline Miller lays out in Big Goals. She masterfully combines practical advice and scientific insights, providing a clear and effective roadmap for setting and achieving goals. I will undoubtedly be using Caroline's methodologies with athletes and coaches at all levels to help them unlock their full potential."
--BRANDON GUYER, 7-year Major Baseball League veteran and founder of Major League Mindset
"In her best work yet, Caroline Miller applies real science to the art of goal achievement! Her brilliant BRIDGE methodology is a game-changer for achieving all of your business and life goals."
--KEVIN BROWN, author of The Hero Effect and ranked a top ten motivational speaker by SpeakInc in 2021
