Why some goals stick and others don't – uncover the secret

Why don't people achieve their New Year goals?

Each year, we enter the same ritual...

The holiday season approaches, bringing new motivation to set goals for the fresh year ahead.

• We write them down.

• Talk about them.

• Promising ourselves, "This year, it's going to be different."

But often, it's not enough, and most of us don't achieve what we aim for.

I've had a unique tradition since I was a kid. At midnight on December 31, I write my wishes on a piece of paper, burn it, put the ashes in a glass of champagne, and drink it. (Just to be clear, I don't recommend you do this at home!) Did the things I wished for come true because of this? Of course not... But the ritual was fun, and I still do it today.

What I've learned is, it doesn't matter how or where you write your goals. Achieving the big things requires significant effort and an understanding of how we function internally.

I've developed a system for goals and life strategy over the years. Not everything I've wanted has come true, and sometimes, I'm grateful it didn't. We don't always chase goals that are good for us or truly ours. They could be based on family pressure or something we saw in a movie as kids.

So, ask yourself before setting any goals:

• Why do I want this?

• Why is this goal important?

• What is my main reason for achieving it?

Often, we don't achieve our goals because we're climbing the wrong ladder. We don't listen to our emotions or bodies that signal us to rest. These are signs that something isn’t right.

I'm not talking about the healthy challenges we face while improving ourselves. I'm talking about situations like going to the gym for two years, suffering every moment, yet continuing because it's what others think is right.

What if there's a different way? A way to take care of your body and enjoy the process?

If you don't know what you want, you might climb the wrong ladder and waste precious time.

Knowing what you want, feeling excited about it, doesn't always come easily. Unless you were born with a bold talent, it takes time to discover.

The first step in understanding what you want is exploring your values.

Look at what you're already doing. That shows your true values. 

For example, if you say you value helping kids in Africa but spend most of your time playing Counter-Strike, then gaming is your real value. If you want to spend more time with your partner but keep taking on new projects, then those projects are your current priority.

It's not about right or wrong. It's about honesty.

You can also have future values you'd like to embrace. Understanding your current values helps you set more authentic goals.

These are my values for the present moment:

For me, realizing that my projects come before my family was a big challenge. But by prioritizing them, I can support my family the way I want.

Once you know your values, it's easier to distinguish your true goals from those that were never yours.

I've got an effective goal-setting system with deep strategy and logic. But it's useful only if you know what you truly want.

I'm converting this knowledge into a practical workbook. I believe its value is immense, potentially transforming your year.

I'm not selling it publicly yet. Instead, I'm offering it to just 20 people from my newsletter for $97.

Take care, and Happy New Year!

Alex