As the new year unfolds, many of us find ourselves reflecting on what we want to achieve both personally and professionally. Setting goals can be exciting but also overwhelming, especially when balancing multiple roles like parenting, teaching, or entrepreneurship. In this comprehensive guide, we dive deep into practical strategies for goal setting, inspired by insights from Jillian Shanahan—a teacherpreneur coach who has transformed her life through online teaching, coaching, and even some unexpected adventures with goats! Whether you’re a teacher going solo, a parent supporting your child’s learning, or someone looking to align your life’s ambitions, this article will help you set meaningful, achievable goals that propel you forward in 2025.
Who is Jillian Shanahan? A Journey from Mail Carrier to Teacherpreneur
Jillian’s story is a powerful testament to resilience and reinvention. Before becoming a successful online teacher and coach, she worked as a mail carrier—a physically demanding job with long hours and little flexibility. Pregnant with her third child, she realized this career path was untenable, especially as a single mom navigating challenging personal circumstances, including an unsupportive partner struggling with addiction.
Her transition into online teaching began almost by chance, sparked by ads she saw on Facebook and a willingness to try something new despite initial skepticism. What started as a survival strategy quickly blossomed into a passion and a thriving business. She became a mentor for a large online teaching company, created a YouTube channel to share advice efficiently, and eventually launched her own coaching program called Teacher Boss Society to support other educators looking to break free from restrictive companies and build their own businesses.
Her journey highlights the importance of adaptability and the willingness to explore new avenues, even when the future feels uncertain.
Setting Practical Goals: From Survival Mode to Strategic Planning
Starting Without Goals: The Reality of Overworking
When Jillian first started teaching online, she was in survival mode—taking any opportunity to earn money, often overworking herself without clear goals. This is a common experience for many starting out in new ventures, especially when transitioning from traditional jobs or unstable situations.
However, through experience, Jillian learned the value of setting clear, practical goals to avoid burnout and create a sustainable path forward. She emphasizes that goal setting is not about rigid plans but about creating a roadmap with flexibility to adjust as needed.
Reverse Goal Planning: The Key to Achieving Big Dreams
One of the most effective techniques Jillian recommends is reverse goal planning. This method involves:
- Setting your end goal: Define where you want to be by a specific time, such as making $2,000 a week by the end of the year through private teaching.
- Breaking it down into benchmarks: Create smaller milestones along the way, for example, $200 a week by March and $1,500 by October.
- Assessing progress regularly: At each benchmark, evaluate what’s working, what isn’t, and make adjustments.
- Fueling your journey: Identify the skills and resources you need and “pack” those for your trip toward the goal.
This approach turns an intimidating mountain into manageable steps, making it easier to stay motivated and on track.
Setting Financial and Process Goals
Jillian advocates for setting financial goals because money is often the driving force behind personal and professional ambitions. Without clear income targets, it’s easy to become overworked yet underpaid. Alongside financial goals, it’s crucial to set goals around work hours and lifestyle preferences to maintain balance.
For example, if you want to reduce your work hours while maintaining income, your goals should reflect that balance. Understanding these details helps prevent common pitfalls such as burnout or undervaluing your time.
Finding Your First Private Student: A Strategic Approach
Transitioning from working for online teaching companies to independent private teaching can be daunting. Jillian’s advice is to take a thoughtful, step-by-step approach:
- Define your ideal student: Understand who you want to teach and tailor your marketing toward that person. If you teach children, think about the parent’s perspective.
- Set up your systems: Establish your teaching platform, payment methods, and social media presence before actively seeking students.
- Use social media strategically: Avoid generic posts like “Hi, I’m Teacher Jill.” Instead, create content that speaks directly to your ideal student or parent’s needs and struggles.
- Leverage your experience: Share insights, tips, or relatable teaching moments to build trust and attract students.
Jillian also offers a free toolkit to help teachers set up their businesses efficiently without unnecessary expenses, emphasizing smart investment of time and money.
Balancing Multiple Roles Without Burning Out
Juggling teaching, coaching, parenting, and even running a goat party business (yes, goats!) is no small feat. Jillian openly shares that she does experience burnout and doesn’t always avoid it. Instead, she acknowledges the reality of intense work phases and the need for rest days to recharge.
Her key advice for managing burnout includes:
- Recognize when you need to rest: Don’t push through exhaustion indefinitely. Schedule downtime intentionally.
- Communicate with your support system: Let family and friends know when you need their understanding during busy periods.
- Accept that work-life balance fluctuates: There will be seasons of intense focus and seasons of relaxation.
- Invest in yourself: Consider coaching or training to learn efficient strategies and reduce wasted effort.
She stresses that building a business or transitioning careers often means temporarily sacrificing balance but encourages planning to minimize long-term burnout.
Why Many People Struggle to Stick to Their Goals
Jillian points out that it’s incredibly easy to get distracted by shiny new ideas or opportunities. Without a clear roadmap, people can lose sight of their original goals and waste energy chasing things that don’t align with their vision.
Her recommendations to combat this challenge include:
- Write down your goals: Keep them visible to remind yourself daily of what you’re working toward.
- Set realistic, measurable milestones: Avoid overwhelming yourself with unreachable targets.
- Regularly reassess your goals: Ask yourself if the goals still resonate and if the strategies are effective.
- Focus on what works: If an approach isn’t delivering results after consistent effort, be willing to pivot.
This mindset encourages persistence without rigidity, allowing for growth and adaptation.
Investing in Coaching: A Smart Move for Accelerated Success
One of Jillian’s strongest pieces of advice is the value of investing in coaching or mentorship. While she acknowledges that not everyone can afford paid coaching, she emphasizes that learning from someone who has already succeeded in your field is the most efficient way to grow.
She encourages seeking out free resources and trainings if money is tight, but stresses the importance of action—knowledge alone isn’t power unless applied.
Moreover, Jillian candidly warns about “coaches” who may not have real experience or success themselves, advising to research and find mentors whose methods resonate with you.
Aligning Personal and Professional Goals for True Success
Jillian highlights that personal and professional goals must be aligned, especially when financial needs are involved. For example, if your personal goal is to buy a house, your professional income goals must support that. However, if your personal goals are unrelated to income, such as improving health through daily walks, professional goals can be more flexible.
This alignment ensures that your efforts across all areas of life are moving you toward a coherent vision rather than pulling you in conflicting directions.
Goal Setting for Kids: Why Less is More
Interestingly, Jillian advises against traditional goal setting for children, particularly in educational contexts. She believes that unless a child is self-motivated, imposed goals from parents or teachers are unlikely to be effective.
Instead, she suggests focusing on providing a fun, effective learning environment where progress happens naturally. Good teachers continuously assess students informally through interactions rather than relying on rigid checklists or goal sheets.
For older children working toward specific milestones like college entrance exams, goal setting can be more appropriate, but for younger learners, the emphasis should be on engagement and enjoyment.
Jillian’s Unique Ventures: From Online Teaching to Party Goats
Jillian’s story wouldn’t be complete without mentioning her unexpected side business: the Western New York Party Goats. What started as a reluctant “yes” to her daughter’s wish for goats quickly turned into a thriving venture offering barnyard parties, goat yoga, and community events.
This fun and unconventional business exemplifies Jillian’s philosophy: be open to trying new things, embrace opportunities, and find joy in unexpected places.
Practical Tips for Goal Setting and Staying on Track
- Visualize your destination: Like using GPS for a trip, know exactly where you want to go.
- Pack smart: Bring along skills and resources that have proven effective; discard what doesn’t serve you.
- Check-in regularly: Stop at milestones to review progress and adjust your path.
- Don’t fear failure: Missing a goal is a chance to learn, reassess, and try again.
- Be flexible: Life will throw distractions and challenges, but stay focused on your core goals.
- Invest in learning: Whether through coaching, courses, or free content, keep growing your skills.
Conclusion: Make 2025 Your Year of Intentional Growth
Goal setting is more than a New Year’s resolution—it’s a strategic practice that, when done thoughtfully, can transform your life. Jillian Shanahan’s insights remind us that practical, aligned goals combined with regular assessment and flexibility create a roadmap to success. Whether you’re a teacher stepping into independence, a parent supporting your child’s learning, or someone juggling multiple roles and passions, these principles will help you make the most of 2025.
Remember: set clear financial targets, break your ambitions into manageable milestones, invest in yourself, and don’t be afraid to try new things—even if that means adding goats to the mix!
Here’s to a year of intentional growth, balance, and fulfillment.
Connect with Jillian Shanahan
- Email: jillian@independentteacheracademy.com
- Facebook Community: Independent Teacher Academy Group
- Newsletter: Subscribe here
- YouTube Channel: Teacher Boss Society
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