Have you ever set a goal that felt completely out of reach, no matter how hard you tried? Maybe it was running a marathon, losing weight, writing a book, or saving for retirement. You declared your goal to friends, wrote it down, and carried it with you like a talisman, but progress seemed impossible. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Studies show that while 70% of people set goals, only 8% actually achieve them. Why? Because most of us focus on the end goal without considering the behavioral changes needed to get there.
The Problem with Goal Setting
The truth is, setting a goal is only the first step. Too often, we focus on the destination without considering the journey. In business, leaders spend hours crafting mission statements and setting organizational goals but fail to help their teams understand the behaviors needed to achieve them. The result? Disengagement, frustration, and failure. The same happens in our personal lives. We want to lose weight but avoid cutting calories, dream of writing a book but can’t sit down to write, or aim to save for retirement but ignore our spending habits.
The SMART goal framework (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Results-based, Time-bound) is a great starting point, but it’s not enough. You can have the smartest goal in the world, but if you don’t change your behavior, it’s like having a GPS you never turn on you won’t reach your destination.
The Acid Test for Goals
Chuck Wachendorfer shares his experience during a Ted Talk and speaks of the Acid Test, to bridge the gap between setting goals and achieving them. It’s a simple but powerful way to evaluate whether a goal is realistic and achievable. The test revolves around two questions:
1. Are you able to do what’s needed to get what you want?
2. Are you willing to do what it takes to get what you want?
These questions force you to assess both your capabilities and your commitment. If you can confidently answer “yes” to both, you’ve identified a goal that’s not just desirable but achievable. If not, it’s time to adjust your goal or your approach.
The Power of Key Activities
Achieving a goal requires identifying the key activities that will get you there. These are the specific, repeatable actions you must take consistently. For one person, it can be running a marathon by slowing pace to 12-minute miles and running regularly. For someone else, it might mean writing 500 words a day to finish a book or tracking daily expenses to save for retirement.
The critical part? These activities must be done by you, not anyone else. If you’re not willing to commit, it’s time to adjust your goal. Progress counts and not perfection.
Your Call to Action
Think about a goal you’ve been struggling to achieve. Does it excite you, or does it make you feel uneasy? If it’s the latter, it’s time to examine your key activities. Do you know what they are? How often do they need to be done? If you’re not willing to commit, adjust your goal until you find one you can work toward consistently.
Remember, the key to success lies in focusing on the right behaviors, not just the end goal. Whether it’s your health, finances, or relationships, progress comes from consistent action. Now it’s time to put your goals to the Acid Test. Can you commit to the journey, or will you adapt your goals? Share your experience in the comments.
