Crush Your Goals This Year: A Simple Framework (Most Ignore)
Every year, people set goals.
And every year… most people quit.
I read that only about 8% of people actually follow through and achieve their New Year’s goals. Whether that number is exact or not, we all know the reality:
Most people start strong… and fade fast.
So what’s the difference between the people who wish and the people who win?
It’s not talent.
It’s not luck.
It’s not “motivation.”
It’s focus, identity, and systems.
Let’s talk about goal-setting that actually works.
The 92% Trap: Why Most People Don’t Hit Their Goals
Here’s what I see over and over again and I’ve been guilty of all of these:
1) They stay busy and call it progress
“Hustle” and “momentum” aren’t the same thing.
Busy work does not automatically create:
- momentum
- profit
- assets
- progress
You can be exhausted and still be standing in the same place.
2) They set goals… then forget them
A goal you don’t review becomes a wish.
A lot of people set goals in January and forget them by February.
3) They become a “yes” person
You should be saying no to a lot more than you say yes to.
When everything is important, nothing is.
4) They get overwhelmed and quit
Too many goals turns into chaos. Chaos turns into burnout. Burnout turns into quitting.
The Real Problem: Most People Set Bad Goals
Let’s call it what it is. A lot of goals fail because they’re not real goals, they’re ego goals.
Here are a few examples of “bad goals”:
Too many goals
This is the #1 issue.
When you try to chase everything, you build nothing.
Unrealistic goals
I hear it all the time:
“I want to net a million dollars in 90 days.”
And then I ask:
- What’s your experience? None.
- What capital do you have? None.
- What systems do you have in place? None.
Could it happen? Maybe. But it’s likely not happening right now and starting with something unrealistic usually leads to quitting.
Goals that sound good… but aren’t aligned
Some goals are really just borrowed dreams.
They look good on social media.
They impress people.
But they don’t move you.
And when the obstacles hit (and they will), that goal won’t be compelling enough to carry you through.
The Key Shift: Your Identity Is Greater Than Your Ego
This is where goals start to work.
When your goals align with your identity , who you are called to be they become sustainable.
Not everybody is meant to have Grant Cardone goals. That’s fine.
Your goals should resonate with:
- your values
- your calling
- your season
- your priorities
And once you’ve got that clarity, the strategy becomes simple:
Simplify the steps. Stay focused. Reinforce wins.
Success comes from “singles.” Little base hits over and over and over score runs.
The Framework: How to Actually Crush Goals
1) Choose fewer goals and progress faster
If you focus on one big goal for the year, you can break it down into supporting goals that stack.
Fewer goals = faster progress.
2) Reverse engineer the big vision into small wins
Think big, yes.
But understand the only way you get there is by smashing little goals:
- today
- this week
- this month
- this quarter
Imperfect progress is better than perfection.
3) Hyperfocus on the constraint
Look at Einstein. Look at Elon.
High performers don’t “float.” They attack constraints.
They find the biggest bottleneck and go all-in until it’s solved then move to the next one.
4) Become the person who achieves the goal
This is identity-based goal setting.
In business (or real estate, for example), the steps aren’t complicated:
- marketing
- conversations
- analyzing deals
- raising capital
- executing
- building a team
The hard part isn’t the knowledge.
The hard part is becoming the person with the discipline to do it consistently.
That’s leadership. That’s growth.
My Personal Reset for the New Year: Discipline Comes First
I’ll be real with you I’m not getting younger. I’m turning 51 this week.
I’m still high energy, but not like I was 20 years ago.
So I’m starting my year with something that strengthens discipline and resets my body: an extended fast.
I’m not a doctor do your own research but I’ve done it before and I believe there are major benefits.
Why am I doing it?
Because I need to become the person I need to be in 2026.
And part of that identity is being a man of discipline.
The Practice That Changes Everything: Take Time to Think
If you do nothing else this week, do this:
Block time to think.
Not to catch up.
Not to plan tasks.
Not to stay busy.
To get clarity.
Turn everything off.
Get a pen and paper.
No phone.
No distractions.
Write down:
- the vision
- the goal
- the problem
- the constraint
And sit with it.
If you don’t design your next chapter, someone else will the world will gladly program your attention for you.
Your Environment Matters: Get Sharpened + Get Accountable
Clarity is one piece. Accountability is the next.
You need:
- the right mindset environment
- improved skill sets
- and accountability where failure isn’t an option
Because when you have to report back to someone, you move differently.
Review Your Goals Until They Become Your Default
I review:
- a vision board weekly
- reminders and habits daily
- and specific items on my calendar regularly
Why?
Because your brain believes repetition.
Reinforcement matters.
Fill your mind with what you’re building and where you’re going.
That’s not fluff. That’s strategy.
!DON’T QUIT!
You can’t fail if you don’t give up.
It’s going to get hard. It’s supposed to.
And if it feels really hard, you might be right on the edge of a breakthrough.
When it feels heavy, the fastest way to snap out of it is this:
Focus on a more compelling future.
That future pulls you forward.
So don’t quit.
Keep moving.
That’s how you crush your goals.
If this helped you, do one thing today:
Schedule a “thinking block” this week, even if it’s just one hour and get crystal clear on your one goal for the year and the first small wins that move it forward.
Let’s make this the year you actually follow through.
And if you need help, you know where to find me.
All the best,
Brant Phillips