Loser!?
Why Most Goals Fail (and How to Finally Stick to Yours)
For years, I was the queen of setting goals… and the queen of watching them gather dust.
Every January, I’d crack open a fresh notebook and write them down: get fitter, save more money, finally put myself first. By March, those goals were already slipping through the cracks. Life would get busy, work demands piled up, and before I knew it, the notebook was shoved in a drawer.
And every time that happened, the same thought crept in: maybe I just don’t have enough discipline.
But here’s what I eventually learned: it wasn’t me that was broken. It was the way I was setting my goals.
Why Most Goals Fail
Most goals are set up to fail before we even start.
They’re too vague or too big. “Get healthy” or “save money” isn’t a plan — it’s just a wish.
There’s no deeper why. Without emotional connection, motivation fizzles.
We aim for perfection. Miss one workout, and suddenly we’ve “blown it.”
We go it alone. Without support or accountability, it’s too easy to give up when life gets busy.
Sound familiar?
The Shift That Changed Everything
My turning point came when I stopped relying on willpower and started focusing on systems instead.
Instead of aiming for huge leaps, I began stacking tiny daily actions into my routine — things that felt achievable even on the busiest days:
✨ Drinking a glass of water before coffee.
✨ Stretching for five minutes before bed.
✨ Writing down one win at the end of the day.
None of these felt life-changing in the moment. But over time? They compounded into results I could see and feel.
That’s when I realised:
Small steps, done consistently, are far more powerful than big leaps done once.
How to Make Goals Stick
Here are five shifts that helped me — and can help you too:
Anchor to your why. Ask yourself: why does this really matter to me? Your answer fuels your motivation.
Break it down. Big goals feel overwhelming. Small, specific steps feel doable.
Stack new habits. Attach new behaviours to existing routines (like journaling after morning coffee).
Ditch perfection. Missing one day doesn’t erase progress — consistency matters more.
Get support. Accountability doubles your chances of success. Find someone who can cheer you on.
Final Thought
For years, I thought my unfinished goals were proof that I wasn’t good enough. The truth? I just needed a new approach.
If your goals are gathering dust, take heart: it’s not about being stricter with yourself, it’s about being smarter — and gentler.
Because sometimes, the smallest shifts create the biggest change.
💜 Question for you: What’s one small step you can start today that future-you will thank you for?