How To Actually Achieve Your Goals in 2026

We’re often told if we want to achieve our dreams, we just need to set some goals.

But is it really that simple?

While I’ve shared my approach with utilising principles instead of goals for my performance, this doesn’t mean goals are bad.

They’re a tool, and depending on the environment, goals can be useful. I can’t challenge the status quo of goal setting without doing my research on the pitfalls.

Below is a short round-up on what I uncovered and how you (if you choose to use goals) can make goal setting really valuable.

You need more than motivation

According to research, a whopping 92% of people fail to reach their new year goals.

That’s a lot of people not achieving what they set out to do. So, what’s the problem?

Well, it turns out that motivation alone isn’t always enough.

Sure, it’s great to be fired up and ready to take on the world, but what happens when that initial burst of motivation wears off? That’s where follow-through comes in.

Peter Bregman wrote an article for HBR where he suggests that the real issue is not motivation, but follow-through.

And he’s right, to a certain extent. You can be motivated all you want, but if you don’t follow through on your commitments, you’re not going to achieve much.

Introduce a little anarchy

Not everyone is motivated by the same things.

Some people are all about positive goal setting, while others are more motivated by the fear of missing out or the consequences of not taking action.

I fall into the category of motivation by fear of what I don’t want in life (which is something I learnt from Tim Ferriss in his fear-setting talk).

(Get more detail from Tim on his thinking on this topic)

This thinking stems from the concept of loss aversion.

This fancy psychological concept suggests that we’re more motivated by the fear of losing something than the prospect of gaining something. In other words, we’re more likely to take action to avoid a negative outcome than to pursue a positive outcome.

So, you’re saying I should be driven by fear?

Well, it means that setting fears instead of goals might be more effective for some people.

When we set goals, we tend to focus on the outcome we want to achieve. And while that can be motivating in the short term, it can also create anxiety and stress if we’re not making progress as quickly as we’d like.

Setting fears, on the other hand, allows us to focus on the consequences of not taking action. It might sound a bit negative, but it can actually be a really powerful motivator for some folks.

For example, let’s say you’re trying to save money.

Setting a fear of not being able to pay your bills or having to work longer hours might be more effective than setting a positive goal of achieving financial freedom.

An adaptable goal setting formula

Having spent over a decade helping people set goals for personal and professional development. I have a long list of case studies of the good, bad and ugly.

What’s key is building an approach specific to you.

Cookie-cutter templates are great as a standing point, but it’s your job to mould them to your unique style.

To achieve our goals, we need:

1. The right environment
2. The right mindset
3. Specific motivators

Consider these the next time you’re thinking about setting goals for yourself.

It’s not enough to simply write them down and hope for the best.

Instead, focus on creating an environment that supports your efforts, and adapt your approach as needed.

Final thoughts

Look, none of this is easy.

It’s not a magic potion, either. It’s an alternative to the norm, and if you’ve been hitting brick walls with goals, it might be worth a look.

Life is never about perfection.

Being consistent and intentional is the best that each of us can do.

Before you go… 👋

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