Why Goal Setting Doesn't Work

The most overrated framework in the world of productivity is goal setting.

In my first year of business, I set a goal to book out my schedule and fill it with coaching clients. I followed the goal-setting process I shared with clients and fell short of reaching my goal.

Since then, I have discovered why this framework alone doesn’t work to achieve your goals.

The goals you achieve are based on the actions you take.

But here’s the catch—if you're aiming for big goals, you can’t rely on small, safe actions.

You have to think differently, take bolder steps, and be willing to get uncomfortable in the process.

Goal setting on its own doesn’t prepare you for that. It doesn’t push you beyond your comfort zone or challenge the limiting beliefs that hold you back.

A goal-setting framework tells you what you want and helps outline a plan, but it won’t change much if you’re still operating from the same old behaviour patterns. If you’re used to procrastinating or playing it safe, setting a goal won’t magically make those habits disappear. Without addressing the mindset behind your actions, you’ll likely keep doing what feels comfortable—and staying comfortable won’t get you far when you're chasing big dreams.

True progress happens when you pair goal setting with bigger, sometimes uncomfortable actions and challenge your own limitations. Only then do you start to see meaningful change.

So, while setting goals is important, it’s not the whole story.

To achieve the results you want, you need to dig deeper, embrace discomfort, and start doing the work to change who you are and not just what you do.