I was recently sharing a meal with a university student during exam season—always a high-stress time for young adults across Canada. In conversation, she casually mentioned that she’s aiming for a 4.33 GPA this semester.
I’ll be honest—I had no idea what that meant. She explained that 4.33 is the highest possible GPA at her university. A perfect score.
I paused, deeply impressed. That’s an incredibly ambitious goal.
A Goal Built Over Years
What stood out even more was how reasonable it seemed coming from her. I’ve been fortunate to know this remarkable young woman for years, and as I reflected on her journey, it became clear that this goal wasn’t plucked from the sky. It’s the product of years of effort and intentional growth.
She didn’t wake up in April 2025, decide to attend university, and say, “I’m going to get a perfect GPA.” This goal has been in the making for a long time.
The Foundations of Success
Throughout high school, she:
- Built strong study habits
- Made sacrifices to prioritize her education
- Spent countless hours on scholarship applications and university planning
- Developed routines and rhythms that set her up for success
Once in university, she chose her courses intentionally—aligned with where she wanted to go, not just what was convenient or easy. She didn’t just dream big. She showed up, every day, and did the work.
Behind Every Big Goal
It’s a powerful reminder: when we see someone aiming high, it’s easy to compare ourselves and feel behind. But we often forget the years of effort, setbacks, and progress that made that goal possible.
If you’re working toward something and feeling the weight of how far you have to go, remember: every big goal started small. Every mountain is climbed one step at a time.
Want to set meaningful goals for yourself? Check out my article on how to set SMART goals here: How to set SMART goals that your company will achieve
Want to set financial goals read this article; Setting Financial Goals.
I am also available for financial coaching sessions (here) to get you to step in to the financial position you want to be.
May you be empowered;
To learn more about specific tips and tricks for your company, contact Shanalisa!
Shanalisa Keller is a CPA, CGA and Coactive Trained Coach who founded and leads the team at Canadian Finance Gal. She has a desire to make personal and business finances less daunting and confusing. She loves accounting and tax and wears the respective geek label with pride. When Shanalisa is not counting beans you can find her mixing a fun new cocktail or building a tasty charcuterie board. You can read her other blogs on various small business topics here, book a chat or coffee or wine with her here, or you can find her on LinkedIn (her favourite social platform).