Using Goal Setting to Reduce Anxiety

Using Goal Setting to Reduce Anxiety

From Everything Life Coaching: The Positive Psychology and Science Behind Coaching by Lumia Coach Training

May 22, 2026 · 48 min · Episode 367

About this episode

Noelle Cordeaux discusses how goal-setting can reduce anxiety and improve emotional well-being.

Feeling anxious about the future? You're not alone. In this episode, Lumia CEO and co-founder Noelle Cordeaux breaks down the powerful science behind why goal-setting actually reduces anxiety, and how coaches can use this knowledge to help clients (and themselves) move from stuck to unstoppable. Drawing from the research of goal-setting pioneers Latham and Locke, positive psychology expert Caroline Miller, and Barbara Fredrickson's groundbreaking Broaden and Build theory, Noelle reveals why our brains crave predictability... and how well-designed goals give us exactly that. In this episode, you'll learn: Why anxiety thrives in uncertainty and how concrete plans create calm The difference between avoidance goals and approach goals (and why it matters) How small, consistent action steps build self-efficacy over time The power of self-concordant goals that align with your values Why deadlines should be scaffolding, not weapons How positive emotions literally change your brain chemistry Everything Life Coaching is brought to you by Lumia-- at Lumia, we train and certify impact-driven coaches, making sure they’ve got all they need to build a business they love and transform lives, on…

People in this episode

Host: Noelle Cordeaux

Topics covered

  • goal setting
  • anxiety reduction
  • positive psychology
  • self-efficacy
  • coaching strategies
  • predictability
  • emotional well-being

Keywords

  • goal setting
  • anxiety
  • positive psychology
  • self-efficacy
  • coaching
  • predictability
  • emotional health

Sponsors

Lumia

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Lumia

Books & works: Broaden and Build theory

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