The Problem: Why Goal Setting is Failing You
You set a goal. You’re pumped. You’re ready to change your life. And then… reality kicks in. Suddenly, that massive goal feels impossible, and you’re staring at your planner like it personally betrayed you.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Traditional goal setting can actually work against you if you’re not careful. Instead of motivating you, it can lead to overwhelm, self-doubt, and a cycle of setting goals just to feel like crap when you don’t hit them.
Here’s why goal setting might be sabotaging your progress:
- You’re setting unrealistic expectations. Goals often focus on the what without factoring in the how—the resources, time, and mental energy needed.
- You get stuck in an all-or-nothing mindset. If you don’t hit the exact goal, you feel like you failed. No middle ground. Just disappointment.
- It creates unnecessary pressure. That “go big or go home” mentality? It’s setting you up for burnout, not success.
- You ignore the process. When you focus only on the outcome, you miss the small wins that actually keep you moving forward.
Be honest with yourself:
- How many times have you set a big goal and then abandoned it when it felt too hard?
- Are you celebrating small progress, or are you constantly beating yourself up for not being where you think you should be?
The Fix: What to Do Instead
1. Think 1%, Not 100%
Here’s the truth: success isn’t about giant leaps. It’s about tiny daily improvements. This is where the 1% rule comes in—making small, consistent changes that stack up over time.
Instead of: “I’m going to work out every single day for an hour.”
Try: “I’m going to do 10 minutes of movement today.”
That 1% improvement? It adds up, and before you know it, you’re crushing goals without the burnout.
2. Break It Down (Like, Way Down)
Instead of setting one big goal, break it into micro-goals that are actually achievable. Each step should feel so small it’s ridiculously easy to start.
- Want to write a book? Start with one paragraph a day.
- Want to eat healthier? Swap one meal a week.
- Want to make more money? Reach out to one new person today.
3. Focus on Systems, Not Just Goals
Your habits will always outperform your willpower. Instead of obsessing over the goal, create a system that makes success inevitable.
- If you want to read more, put a book where you’ll see it daily.
- If you want to work out, set out your clothes the night before.
- If you want to save money, automate small transfers into your savings account.
4. Celebrate Every Damn Win
You don’t need to hit some imaginary milestone to feel successful. Celebrate every step forward.
- Sent that one email?
- Chose a healthy meal?
- Wrote a single page?
Progress is progress. The more you acknowledge it, the more motivated you’ll be to keep going.
5. Personal Goals Matter Too
You can’t build a business (or anything else) if your personal life is a mess. Your mindset, habits, and daily routines are the foundation for everything—business and life included.
- Prioritize your mental health like you do your work.
- Set boundaries so you don’t burn out.
- Make time for hobbies that have nothing to do with productivity.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need another fancy goal-setting method that makes you feel like crap when life happens. You need a real system that helps you actually get sh*t done—without the stress, self-doubt, and burnout.
If you’re done with overcomplicated goal setting that doesn’t work, grab my sweary planning system. It’s designed to help you plan your sh*t, crush your goals, and stay sane—no matter what life throws at you.
Get your hands on the system here!
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