The Art of Goal Setting: How to Actually Achieve What You Set Out To Do

Goal setting is a lot like buying gym equipment in January: it feels great in the moment, but unless you have a solid plan, it’ll probably gather dust in the corner. The good news? Goal setting doesn’t have to be a frustrating cycle of ambition followed by procrastination. With the right strategies, you can set yourself up for success. Let’s dig into how, with a little help from James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, and some evidence-backed techniques.

Why Most Goals Fail

Let’s face it—most people fail to achieve their goals. Why? Because the goals themselves are often vague, overly ambitious, or lack a clear plan of action. Saying, “I’m going to get healthy this year” is inspiring, sure, but what does that even mean? Without clarity, your brain doesn’t know where to start. James Clear puts it simply: “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”

In other words, it’s not about the goal itself—it’s about the process you put in place to achieve it.

Step 1: Make Your Goals Specific

A vague goal is a dream with no direction. Instead of saying, “I want to save money,” try, “I will save $200 a month by eating out less and tracking my expenses.” Specificity gives your brain a roadmap. James Clear calls this creating a clear “implementation intention”—it’s not just what you want to do, but how and when you’re going to do it.

This also makes your goals measurable. If you can’t track your progress, how will you know when you’re succeeding?

Step 2: Focus on Systems, Not Outcomes

Here’s where most people trip up. We get so obsessed with the finish line that we forget the steps it takes to get there. Want to write a book? That’s great, but focusing solely on “finish my book” isn’t going to help you sit down and write 500 words today.

Instead, create a system: Write 500 words every morning before checking your email. James Clear explains that small habits compound over time, much like interest in a savings account. By focusing on the process rather than the outcome, you’re more likely to stay consistent—and consistency is where the magic happens.

Step 3: Make It Obvious

One of the core ideas in Atomic Habits is to make the desired behavior obvious. If you’re trying to eat healthier, don’t keep the vegetables buried in the crisper drawer. Put them front and center. Trying to read more? Leave the book on your pillow so you see it before bed.

Clear argues that designing your environment to support your goals makes it easier to follow through. Think of it as setting yourself up for success, not relying solely on willpower (because, let’s be honest, willpower is fickle).

Step 4: Keep It Realistic and Achievable

Big goals are exciting, but if they’re unrealistic, they can quickly lead to burnout and discouragement. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t aim high—it just means you should break big goals into smaller, more manageable steps.

For example, instead of saying, “I’ll run a marathon next month,” start with, “I’ll run three times a week for 20 minutes.” Each small win builds confidence and momentum.

As Clear points out, the key is to focus on becoming the type of person who achieves that goal. Want to run a marathon? Start identifying as a runner and build habits that align with that identity.

Step 5: Create Accountability

Accountability is like the friend who drags you to the gym when you’d rather binge-watch Netflix. Whether it’s a friend, coach, or even an app, having someone or something to check in with increases the likelihood of sticking to your goals.

Research backs this up: public commitments are often more successful because they add social pressure to follow through. Clear suggests finding an accountability partner or joining a group that shares your goal—it’s harder to quit when someone’s watching.

Step 6: Celebrate Small Wins

Too often, we wait until we’ve achieved the big goal to celebrate, but this can make the journey feel long and grueling. Instead, reward yourself for small wins along the way.

Just hit your goal of saving $200 this month? Treat yourself to a little something (within reason, of course). These rewards don’t just feel good—they also reinforce the habit loop, making it more likely that you’ll stick with the process.

Step 7: Embrace Failure as Feedback

Here’s the hard truth: you’re going to stumble. Maybe you’ll skip a workout or blow your budget one month. That’s okay—it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Clear reminds us that habits aren’t about perfection; they’re about getting back on track quickly.

Think of failure as feedback, not defeat. What went wrong? How can you adjust your system to make success easier next time? Treat it like a learning experience rather than a reason to quit.

Final Thoughts

Goal setting isn’t about being perfect; it’s about creating a system that makes progress inevitable. By making your goals specific, focusing on systems, and celebrating small wins, you can turn even the most ambitious dreams into reality.

And remember, you don’t have to wait for January 1st to start. Today is just as good a day as any to set a goal, create a plan, and take the first step toward becoming the person you want to be. After all, as James Clear says, “Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.” So start voting for yourself!

Clear, J. (2018). Atomic habits: An easy & proven way to build good habits & break bad ones. Avery.