In this episode of Show Up Real, I’m talking about how to pick the kind of goal that actually grows you — not just your business.

We’re walking through what it means to really challenge yourself this quarter, how to choose an audacious goal that stretches you, and how to face the parts of yourself that keep you playing small.

I’ll share how to identify the growth or skill your next level requires, what role your ego plays in holding you back, and how to commit to doing the work even when it’s inconvenient.

This episode is about self-awareness, accountability, and being the kind of person who does what they said they would do — even when it’s hard.

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Hello, hello, hello. Welcome back to the Show Up Real Podcast. I’m so happy you’re here.

Today, I’m going to be talking about how to pick an audacious goal for Q4 — something that scares you, something that makes you nervous in the best way, but also something that clearly aligns with the growth you know is needed.

There’s a level of maturity required when you’re serious about hitting your goals. We can take action in our businesses while still putting energy into things that don’t actually move the needle.

This is why so many people focus on super educational content — the visual hook, the scripts, the lighting. The reason those things do so well is because people crave answers. But most of those same people are taking zero action. Not just from that kind of content — they’re taking zero action from all the learning they do.

So when I talk about challenging yourself in a way you never have before in Q4 — and this is part of the Q4 Lock-In series — what I’m really saying is this:

If you’re serious about growing your business in the next three months, you have to understand what you’ve been doing that isn’t working. Be honest with yourself about what’s not moving the needle. Then, and only then, can you pick the right goal and make a plan.

That’s what this episode is about: how to choose the right goal to take you to the next level. What growth is needed? How can you spend your time and energy on the things that actually get you where you want to go, not just keep you comfortably stuck?

This challenge is for me too. I’m in a place in my business where, damn y’all… I have my systems, support, and experience. After five years in business, I understand the work it takes to hit a certain revenue number. But when you want to deliberately grow from there, that’s a whole other game.

I’ve wanted that many times — and failed many times. For the last five years, I’ve hovered between $100K and $300K. And this year, I’ve been going in circles trying to decide what direction to take my business.

I’ve shared lots of ideas and thoughts on this podcast, but honestly, I haven’t fully implemented them because I haven’t felt confident in them. Not that confidence has to come first — we’ll talk about that later — but I’ve just been indecisive. And that’s so unlike me.

For years, I’ve been someone who picks a goal, makes a plan, and implements regardless of how I feel. But every business goes through growth, change, and evolution — and I’m in that phase now. So just know, I’m also talking to myself here.

I’m sharing this because I want you to know — it’s not just you. What you’re feeling is normal.

Before we get into it, I want to celebrate two of my clients.

First, Yeti, who’s in my group program Show Up Real. She had a post on Threads go completely viral — over a million views. We coached on it during our call. I just want to celebrate her because it takes so much self-trust to put out content that’s that raw and real. That’s the kind of content she creates.

And then my client Brenda — she went to an event, asked a question, and the event leader called her out and told everyone to show her love on Instagram. She gained a ton of new followers quickly.

We talked on that call about the emotions that come with visibility, and I’m just so proud of both of them. It takes a lot of energy to hold space for being seen, celebrated, and liked. It can feel so uncomfortable. But they’re both such badass women.

Also, if you want support in growing your business — One-on-One Coaching is officially open. I’m taking on two clients this month. I’m focusing on people who want to grow a powerful personal brand — people who already have some presence, who are leaders in their community, but want to scale that leadership and create more opportunities — speaking gigs, brand partnerships, more clients, more revenue.

And for coaches who want to grow their coaching business — doors are open. I invite you to apply if you want personalized support.

Okay, let’s get into today’s topic.

Here’s the question I want you to ask yourself:

What growth do you need to get to your next level?

It’s not just about the goal — it’s about who you need to become to hit it.

Ask yourself:

1. What’s the growth I’ve been avoiding?
   • Where am I trying to find shortcuts?
   • Where do I avoid putting in the real work?

For many of you, that might be content — posting consistently. And when I say consistently, I mean at least five days a week on one platform, for at least three months in a row.

If you post regularly for a month and then disappear for a month — and repeat that cycle — that’s a problem. What’s making you stop? Be honest with yourself.

2. What’s the lesson I keep being shown over and over again — the one I’m stubborn about learning?

Often, the people who struggle with consistency are also the ones who over-strategize their content. Their posts are good, but not human. It loses connection. It’s too informational.

If that’s you, you need to practice owning your voice and being a whole human online.

If you’re going to put your face on camera, you have to get used to doing it — unscripted, imperfect, human. You should be able to jot down a few notes on a post-it and just talk.

When you make showing up online this big ordeal — writing scripts, researching hooks, perfecting every word — that’s not leadership.

Leadership is being in it. Practicing. Doing.

The thing that feels inconvenient is usually your next level. The thing that makes you roll your eyes — “ugh, that’s too much work” — that’s probably exactly what you need to do.

So ask yourself: What’s the one thing that, if I focused on mastering it, would change my whole business?

For some, it’s selling. For others, content. Maybe long-form content — starting a podcast, doing consistent collaborations, or cutting the behind-the-scenes busywork that doesn’t move you forward.

How are you resisting the work? What are you scared of? Whatever that is — that’s your direction.

Step 1: Identify the growth you’re avoiding. Identify the lessons God keeps trying to teach you that you’re resisting.

You’re holding on to old beliefs as truth — “I should know this already,” “I’m too experienced,” “I don’t need that step.”

Let that go.

Here’s an example: My version of this was selling One-on-One Coaching. I didn’t want to do it because it felt like too much time and effort. But skipping it was the shortcut I was trying to take. And looking back, that work — those hundreds of coaching hours — made me the confident coach I am today.

So: What is your version of that? What’s the hard work you’ve been avoiding?

Step 2: Pick your audacious goal.

Choose a goal that stretches you and impacts multiple areas of your business.

It could be launching a webinar, hosting an event, running a public challenge, pitching yourself to speak, or creating a brand-new offer.

Ask yourself: What do I want to create?

If I had all the resources in the world — if I didn’t care about perfect marketing or the “right” strategy — what would I want to create?

It doesn’t have to be huge. Your big, audacious goal could simply be planning and implementing your Q4 strategy — locking in your sales plan and fully owning that you create your own demand.

Ask yourself: If the world was my oyster, how would I do this?

Let go of what anyone — including me — has told you about how it “should” be done.

You might decide, “I’m going to talk to 500 people in the next three months. I’m going to make 500 offers.” That’s a challenge.

Or maybe you commit to getting rejected 100 times — and in the process, realize that by rejection number 15, people are actually saying yes.

This is about intentionality. Owning that this is your business. You make the rules. So make them.

It’s not about doing it perfectly. It’s about doing what you said you would do — and becoming the person who follows through, even when it’s scary.

When it gets uncomfortable, that’s when you lean on trust and belief: If I put effort into this, I’ll get results.

Pick a goal that challenges you. Create a plan that scares you a little. Then follow through with trust, kindness, and compassion for yourself.

When I was creating my first course — the podcast course — I remember I couldn’t focus at home. My webinar was scheduled for Tuesday, and by the Thursday before, I still had most of the videos to record. So I told my husband, “I need to rent a hotel.” I locked myself in that hotel and stayed up all night recording, making slides — figuring it out.

I had no idea what I was doing, but I did it anyway. And now, I’m so proud of that version of me.

That’s what I mean. Pick something that forces you to grow. Follow through with audacious self-trust.

For those of you doing this Q4 Lock-In — commit to the challenge. Decide what your Q4 challenge is. Make a deal with yourself that you’ll do the work, regardless of fear.

Your brain will want to change its mind. It’ll tell you to stop or try something else. But that’s not what we’re doing this quarter.

This is about consistent action, not fast results.

It’s about learning to trust yourself at a new level — recognizing when your ego or fear is running the show and calling it out.

Because the real win isn’t just the result — it’s becoming the person who follows through. The person who runs the webinar, sends the emails, makes the offer, leads their community.

Now, the last piece: the ego check.

What part of your ego is trying to protect you from growth?

It might sound like:
“I don’t have time.”
“I don’t want to waste energy.”
“I need to know it’s going to work.”
“This isn’t aligned.”

How long are you going to tell yourself that? Because alignment doesn’t always feel like alignment.

How long are you going to let time or fear be the excuse?

Do the ego check. Ask: What part of my ego is trying to protect me, and what is it protecting me from? Name it. Thank it. Then move anyway.

Your ego wants to keep you safe — but that’s not the season you’re in.

This season is about looking straight at the fear and saying, “We’re going that way.”

You’re playing a new game with yourself.

So, here are three questions to close with:

1. What growth am I avoiding?
2. What do I want to create by the end of the year?
3. What commitment do I want to be proud of at the end of the year?

What action do I need to take to make myself proud — regardless of the result?

Have the audacity to do that.

All right y’all, I hope you’re joining the Q4 Lock-In. And for those who want even more support, One-on-One Coaching is open.

You can find the link in the show notes or go to my Instagram — @CatDelCarmen — and click the link in my bio to book a call.

All right, y’all — I’ll see you next week. Sending you a big hug. Bye.