Why Your Business Goals Aren’t Working—And How to Get Real Results

Let’s be real, most goal-setting advice out there is fluffy and vague. “Grow your business.” “Make more money.” “Be successful.” Sound familiar?

Here’s the problem: These goals don’t tell you what to do, how to do it, or why they even matter. So you set them, get pumped for a few days, and then… nothing. Life gets busy. Procrastination creeps in. And suddenly, those goals are collecting dust while you’re wondering where the time went.

I don’t want that for you. You’re here to win, and that means setting goals that actually work. So let’s break down exactly why most goals fail and how you can set ones that lead to real results.

Step 1: Get Clear on Your ‘Why’

If your goal is just “grow my business” or “increase profits,” you’re already setting yourself up to struggle. Why? Because there’s no emotional connection.

Ask yourself: Why do I want this? And don’t stop at the first answer. Dig deeper. Be that five-year-old who keeps asking why until there’s nothing left.

Because when things get hard (and they will), your why is what keeps you pushing forward. Without it, you’ll lose steam the second things don’t go as planned.

Step 2: Identify Your Needle Movers

Not all tasks are created equal. Some make a real impact, and others just keep you “busy.” The key? Focus on the needle movers, the actions that directly move the needle toward your goal.

For example:

Needle mover: Attending three networking events and making five real connections

Not a needle mover: Tweaking your website colors for the third time this week

See the difference? One gets you closer to your goal. The other is just… busywork. Get brutally honest with yourself here.

Step 3: Build Your Roadmap

A goal without a plan is just a wish. So once you’ve nailed your why and your needle movers, it’s time to build your roadmap.

Here’s how:

Break it down. If your big goal is to increase profits, don’t stop there. Break it down into quarterly, monthly, and weekly mini-goals.

Set deadlines. Saying “I’ll do it soon” is a fast track to nowhere. Instead, commit to specifics: “By Tuesday, I’ll reach out to 15 potential clients.”

Track your progress. Check in regularly and adjust as needed. Progress isn’t always linear, but consistency wins every time.

[If you want to dive deeper, check out the full YouTube video here:]