10 GOAL MISTAKES THAT KEEP YOU STUCK

Want to avoid the mistakes that sabotage even the best goals? Here are ten of the most common ones—and how to avoid each.

Nov 26, 2024

Back in the early days of my career, I thought I had it all figured out with goal-setting. I had my plans on paper and was working hard—so why did I feel like I was always falling short? Each year, I set ambitious goals but kept missing the mark.

That’s when it hit me: it wasn’t the goals that were the issue but the way I was setting them. My goals were missing structure, focus, and strategy. That’s when I decided to roll up my sleeves and see what I could learn about the art and science of goal-setting. That changed everything, especially in terms of goal achievement. I went on to pursue bigger and bigger goals, getting a little better each year.

As a result of my success with goal-setting, I created a course for my students. Over 50,000 of my students have gone through it. I also wrote a Wall Street Journal bestselling book on the topic, Your Best Year Ever. It’s now sold more than 250,000 copies.

After interacting with thousands of my clients and students, I’ve seen almost every mistake you can make in setting goals that work. Here are the ten most common mistakes and how to avoid each.

1. Not Writing Your Goals Down

Solution: Writing down your goals makes you 42% more likely to achieve them, according to a study from Dr. Gail Matthews at Dominican University. Putting pen to paper gives goals permanence and keeps them at the forefront of your mind, a powerful step toward making them happen.

2. Confusing Aspirations with Goals

Solution: Aspirations and resolutions sound nice but rarely stick. To make real progress, structure your goals with the SMARTER framework. When they’re Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Risky, Time-bound, Exciting, and Relevant, your goals gain the clarity and direction you need to bring results.

3. Surrendering to Limiting Beliefs

Solution: Limiting beliefs act like invisible roadblocks. When you convert a limiting belief into a liberating truth, you shift the narrative from “I can’t” to “I can.” This change is the foundation for achieving things you once thought impossible. (This process is what my most recent book, Mind Your Mindset, is all about.)

4. Setting Too Many Goals

Solution: Too many goals dilute your focus. Aim for no more than 8–12 meaningful goals per year, breaking them down to 2–3 per quarter. This allows you to put consistent effort into what truly matters without getting overwhelmed.

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5. Focusing on Only One Area of Life

Solution: Life is interconnected. Neglecting areas like health or relationships in pursuit of a work goal often leads to burnout or imbalance. Set goals in each of the nine life domains—body, mind, spirit, love, family, community, money, work, and hobbies—for a balanced, fulfilling life.

6. Setting Goals Inside the Comfort Zone

Solution: Goals should stretch you, not break you. Set them in your Discomfort Zone, where growth happens, but avoid the Delusional Zone. Goals that are too easy won’t inspire, and those too far out of reach can lead to frustration. Find the balance that pushes you forward.

7. Not Connecting to “The Why”

Solution: Identifying your top three motivations for each goal helps you through inevitable challenges. When you connect to the “why,” it’s easier to keep going when you hit the “messy middle” of goal pursuit. Anchoring yourself to purpose fuels perseverance.

8. Not Identifying Your Next Steps

Solution: A goal without actionable steps is just a wish. Identify 3–5 simple, achievable next steps that you can start right away. This moves you from dreaming to doing and creates momentum that builds toward your end goal.

9. Lacking Accountability

Solution: Practice selective accountability. Rather than broadcasting your goals widely, share them with one or two people who will support and challenge you. Research by Derek Sivers suggests that announcing goals can diminish motivation—choose accountability partners wisely.

10. Not Keeping Goals Visible

Solution: Goals that get lost in the shuffle won’t get accomplished. Establish a regular review cadence—weekly to stay on track, and quarterly to adjust if needed. Visibility keeps you engaged with your goals and reminds you of the progress you’re making.

These ten mistakes are common, but they don’t have to hold you back. By steering clear of these pitfalls, you’re already miles ahead of the game. Imagine a year where you don’t just set goals, but you also see them through to completion.

The road to success is paved with intentional choices, and every choice you make brings you closer to your vision. Let’s make 2025 the year you look back on with pride.

The Workbench

This is going to sound self-promoting, but I couldn’t think of a better resource to share with you than Your Best Year Ever Live. It’s more than an event—it’s a transformative experience designed to help you achieve meaningful goals in every area of your life. Hosted virtually, it allows you to join from the comfort of home while connecting with a community of high-achievers ready to make a real impact in 2025.

At Your Best Year Ever Live, you’ll gain access to:

The simple shift that could make the difference between success and disappointment—and why most people miss it
Proven steps to overcome the limiting beliefs that are keeping you from your biggest goals
A clear, personalized roadmap using the SMARTER framework so you’re set up for achievement, not overwhelm
Guidance on how to identify your top motivations and leverage them to stay on course through the year’s inevitable challenges
Practical methods for taking action on your goals right away—and consistently—no more "someday" dreams
Strategies to anticipate and conquer common setbacks so you’re resilient, no matter what comes your way
Our proprietary, AI-powered Goal Achievement Coach that enables you to set perfectly formatted goals, along with a detailed action plan in record time

The best part? You’re not just setting goals for the new year—you’re creating a pathway to meaningful, lasting change. Imagine closing 2025 with the clarity, energy, and success you’ve been aiming for. Your Best Year Ever Live makes it possible.

What’s Next?

Get ready to transform your productivity with The Ideal Week. In the next issue, I’ll share some advanced strategies I’ve honed over 20 years of using this powerful tool. These tips will help you reclaim your time, align your schedule with your goals, and make every week your most productive yet. Don’t miss it!

In pursuit of the Double Win,

Michael Hyatt
Founder & Chairman
Full Focus

P.S. Ready to take it to the next level? I’ve just opened up a new spot in my private coaching program. If you’re ready to make a breakthrough in both your professional and personal life, this is your chance to work directly with me, one-on-one, to achieve the Double Win. Get the details and apply here.

Our Mission: At Full Focus, we believe everyone deserves to win at work and succeed at life. Our mission is to make it nearly impossible for people not to get the Double Win.®

You can find my previous newsletter issues here: Beyond the Hustle Archive.