Why Your Goals Are Failing You (and how to fix them)

We’ve all been there.

You set a big goal. You’re excited, energized, and ready to crush it.

“This is the year I lose 20 pounds.”

“This is the quarter I double my revenue.”

“This is when I finally scale my business.”

And then…nothing happens.

Weeks pass. You’re working hard, but it feels like you’re spinning your wheels. That goal you were so pumped about? It’s starts to become more like a weight on your shoulders, and you’re left wondering, What am I doing wrong?

Let me save you some time: The problem isn’t your goal. The problem is how you’re approaching it.

Goals Aren’t the Problem—They’re the Vision

Here’s what I’ve learned over 25 years of building high performing teams and businesses: Goals are the destination, not the path. They give you the big picture—the “why” behind your efforts.

Think of a goal as your north star:

“I want to lose weight.”

“I want to be promoted to VP.”

“I want to scale my business to six figures.”

These are great, inspiring statements. But they’re also vague. There’s no roadmap to get there, no way to measure progress, and no accountability to keep you on track.?

The Fix: From Goals to Targets

This is where most people get stuck—they state a goal, maybe they write it out, but then they stop there. Like just putting your intention into the universe is enough. But here’s the key:?

You don’t need to change your goal; you need to break it down into targets.

Targets are specific, measurable, and actionable. They tell you exactly what to aim for and how to know if you’re on the right track.??

Let’s look at an example:

?? Goal: Lose weight.

?? Target: Walk 10,000 steps a day and eat fewer than 2,200 calories.

See the difference? One is a vision; the other is a measurable action plan.

Here’s another:

?? Goal: Scale my business.

?? Target: Make 20 calls a day, book 5 discovery meetings a week, and close 2 clients by month’s end.

Targets are where the magic happens. They give you clarity. They give you focus. And they give you the power to course-correct when things aren’t working.

Why Entrepreneurs Struggle With Goals

One of the biggest mistakes I see entrepreneurs make is setting goals and then putting no plan in place to execute them.

They’ll say, “I want to double my revenue,” but they have no idea how many calls or proposals they need to make to get there.

Or they’ll decide, “I want to grow my client base,” but they don’t track how many leads they’re generating or where those leads are coming from, or even what their conversion rate is.

Without targets, you’re just throwing darts at a board, with your eyes closed, and hoping for the best. And I can assure you—hope is not a strategy!

How I Help My Clients Fix This

This is exactly what I work on with my coaching clients.

We start by taking an honest look at the business—where it is today, where it’s been. And where it needs to go.? We use this to set the right targets. Not vague “blue sky” goals, but measurable, actionable steps that align with their vision. Then, we track progress, stay accountable, and adjust as needed.

It’s not always easy—targets require discipline, honesty, and a willingness to face the truth about what’s working and what isn’t. But the results? Life-changing.

I see clients go from feeling stuck and overwhelmed to focused, confident, and in control. All because they stopped chasing vague goals and started hitting clear, measurable targets—following the daily actions and habits that actually create results.

What About You?

So, here’s my challenge to you:

Think about the goals you’ve set for yourself.

Are they clear and measurable? Or are you hoping things will just “fall into place”?

If you’re stuck, take a step back. Ask yourself:

?? What specific targets can I set to move closer to my goal?

?? How will I measure my progress?

?? What needs to change if I’m not on track?

We’re into the season now where most people will set their goals for next year or resolutions or whatever else they’re committing to themselves, but as you do this for you life or your business, I ask the question, “Will you challenge yourself to move from goals to targets?” I’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment below and let me know:

What’s one target you’re working on right now?

Let’s turn those big dreams into real results.