The Power of Not Yet: Actionable Strategies to Make Your Goals a Reality

You don’t lack motivation - you lack a system that actually works for you.

The problem isn’t the goal—it’s your mindset.

You might already know about growth and fixed mindsets, popularised by Carol Dweck. A fixed mindset means believing that your abilities and intelligence are static—failure means you’re simply not good enough. A growth mindset, on the other hand, sees failure as a stepping stone to improvement, a challenge to be overcome.

Most people would like to think they have a growth mindset. After all, if you’re reading this, you’re likely someone who actively seeks improvement. But here’s the catch: even if you believe in self-improvement, you might still struggle to achieve your goals.

Why? Because there’s more to success than just “believing” you can improve. The way you approach goal-setting, planning, and execution plays a huge role in determining whether you succeed—or fall into the same patterns of frustration and inaction.

Let’s break this down. Mindset isn’t just about how you think—it’s about how you act.

Understanding this allows you to work with your mindset rather than against it.

In my experience, goal achievement happens in four key phases:

1. Predecisional Phase: Figuring Out What You Actually Want

Before you even start working toward a goal, you need to define what it is. This is where traditional frameworks like SMART goals, Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), or the Goal Pyramid come into play. But even before applying these, you must ensure the goal is genuinely yours.

Think about New Year’s resolutions. Around 70% of people abandon their resolutions within weeks. Why? Because many of those goals were set due to social pressure rather than personal commitment. “I should lose weight” or “I should wake up at 5 AM” might sound good, but if they don’t align with your values, they won’t stick.

For example, I personally don’t set weight goals. I don’t care what I weigh—it’s not a priority for me. But I do want to run 10km in under an hour by June. That’s a goal I’m genuinely invested in, and that distinction makes all the difference.

To increase your chances of success, ensure your goals align with your values, desires, and worldview. Ask yourself:

• Am I setting this goal because I truly want it?

• Does this goal excite me?

• Will achieving this goal improve my life in a meaningful way?

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2. Preactional Phase: Planning Without Overplanning

Once you have a meaningful goal, it’s time to plan—but beware of the trap that catches most people: overplanning.

We all want to feel in control. It’s natural to want to anticipate every possible obstacle and have a strategy for every “what if.” But this can lead to analysis paralysis—spending so much time preparing that you never take action.

I’ve been guilty of this myself. I’ve mapped out detailed plans, researched every scenario, and then… done nothing. The best way I’ve found to overcome this is by setting a hard deadline for planning. When I create goals for the year or quarter, I give myself a strict cutoff point where planning must transition into action.

Another important concept here is the Circle of Control. Many people fixate on factors they can’t fully control, which adds unnecessary stress and delays action.

Instead, focus on what you can influence. For example:

• You can’t control the weather, but you can decide to train indoors if needed.

• You can’t control how fast you build muscle, but you can ensure you train consistently.

  
  

Spending too much time trying to eliminate all uncertainty in goal-setting often means we never start. Instead, recognize that not everything is in your control—and that’s okay.

As James Clear says:

“It’s never the right time, but right now is usually the best time.”

3. Actional Phase: Doing the Work

This is where most people fall off. Even those who set the right goals and create a solid plan often struggle to maintain momentum.

Why? Because we live in an age of instant gratification. We expect fast results, and when they don’t come, we lose motivation. The reality is that success follows a different formula:

Action + Performing the Action Repeatedly Over Time = Achievement of Goal

Most people operate under the false assumption that:

Action + Performing the Action = Immediate Achievement

When results aren’t instant, they quit. But real progress takes time, consistency, and patience. This is why habits matter more than motivation—because motivation fades, but habits keep you moving forward.

For example, when I committed to my 10km goal, I set up habits that made training easier and more enjoyable:

• I use a Runna plan because I know I dislike planning my own workouts.

• I run at night because it fits my lifestyle and helps me unwind after the day.

• I reflect after each run by discussing it with my wife, helping me process my progress.

• I eat well and stay hydrated because nutrition directly affects performance.

  
  

By designing a system that supports my success, I make it easier to stay consistent, even when motivation is low.

4. Reflection & Continuous Improvement: Small Adjustments, Big Results

If there’s one thing that separates successful people from those who struggle, it’s reflection and adaptation.

Many assume that achieving a goal is about working hard and staying disciplined—but it’s also about learning, adjusting, and improving over time.

A concept that illustrates this is the 1% Rule. If you improve by just 1% every day, by the end of a year, you’ll be 37 times better than when you started. Small, consistent improvements compound into massive progress.

One of the best ways to facilitate continuous improvement is to track your progress and celebrate small wins. Research shows that rewarding yourself along the way increases your chances of sticking with long-term goals.

For example, if your goal is fitness-related, treating yourself to a massage or new gear after reaching a milestone can reinforce positive behavior.

If you’re ready to take control of your goals and set yourself up for success, here’s your action plan:

➡ Align your goal with your values – Make sure it’s something you truly want.

➡ Stop overplanning – Set a deadline for your planning phase and then start.

➡ Embrace patience – Success takes time, effort, and repetition.

➡ Track progress and reward yourself – Small wins keep you motivated.

No more waiting for the “perfect time” to start. No more getting lost in overplanning. No more quitting when results don’t come instantly.

Your success isn’t about the goal itself—it’s about your mindset, habits, and willingness to take action. The best time to start?

Right now. 🚀