Stop Wasting Time on the Wrong Goals: Start the Year with a Plan That Works

Most people fail before January is even over — not because they lack motivation, but because they’re chasing the wrong goals. If you want 2026 to be your best year yet, you need a plan that focuses on the activities that actually move the needle. Stop setting goals that sound good on paper and start setting goals that produce real, measurable results.

Busy vs. Productive:

Here’s the truth: busy doesn’t equal productive. Too many leaders, advisors, and salespeople set goals based on what’s flashy, what “looks impressive,” or what feels urgent, rather than what truly drives results. If your goal list is longer than your action plan, you’re probably setting yourself up to fail.

I’ve seen it countless times: someone sets a revenue goal of $1 million, but their daily actions don’t line up. They spend hours on unqualified prospects, endless meetings, or busywork that doesn’t matter. The goal is ambitious, but the plan is a fantasy.

How to Get Clear:

Start with this framework to set goals that actually produce results:

1. Identify the Real Pain: Goals that address real pain get traction; goals that address problems that aren’t urgent get ignored. Ask yourself: what is my client, team, or business desperate to solve? Whether it’s improving sales, increasing retention, or reducing operational headaches, your goal needs to tackle a real, tangible problem.
2. Focus on the 20% That Drives 80% of Results: Not every activity matters. High performers focus on the few behaviors that generate the biggest results. Every day, ask yourself: Does this activity directly impact my revenue, my client relationships, or my team’s performance? If the answer is no, stop doing it.
3. Track Behavior, Not Just Outcomes: Outcomes are important, but results only come from consistent behavior. Break your goals down into daily or weekly actions and track them. Did you make the prospecting calls? Did you follow up with clients? Did you coach your team on the behaviors that produce results? These are the actions that compound over time.
4. Be Honest About Risk & Accountability: Goals aren’t achieved by wishful thinking. You have to confront risk, fear, and failure head-on. Excuses are the enemy. Ask yourself: Am I willing to put in the work, face the hard conversations, and stay disciplined to hit this goal? If not, pick something you are actually willing to fight for.

The Leadership Factor:

Setting the right goals isn’t just about business outcomes; it’s about leadership. Your team watches what you do far more than what you say. If your actions aren’t aligned with your goals, your team won’t follow. Leadership is daily execution — showing up consistently, handling setbacks with resilience, and keeping your commitments. If you model this behavior, your team will follow suit, and your goals become a shared mission rather than just a line on a spreadsheet.

The Difference Between Success and Failure:

The difference between leaders who hit their numbers and those who don’t is simple: they focus on the right goals, align their behaviors, and hold themselves accountable relentlessly. They don’t chase vanity goals or get distracted by activity that doesn’t matter. They get clear, commit, and execute relentlessly.

Your Call to Action:

Before you set another goal this year, pause and ask yourself:

• Does this goal address a real pain?
• Will achieving it produce measurable results?
• Am I willing to do what it takes to achieve it, even when it gets uncomfortable?

If the answer isn’t a confident “yes” to all three, rethink it. Start the year strong, focus on the right goals, and make 2026 the year you actually deliver results — not just set them.