The Problem with Yearly Goals

As each year ends, the ritual of setting grand goals begins. The idea of transforming your life in just 12 months is intoxicating. However, many business owners don’t realize that the very structure of annual goals might be setting them up for failure. For instance, you risk losing that initial drive far too soon by focusing solely on a lofty revenue target.

The truth is, if January’s results fall short of your expectations, it’s easy to get discouraged and give up. An annual goal can feel overwhelming, like a marathon where the finish line is out of sight. This gap between expectation and reality leads to frustration and abandonment of goals — often when only 16% of the year has passed.

Lessons from Everyday Life: Learning from Our Children

Let’s think about the connection of goal-setting comparison between business goal-setting and nurturing a child’s education. Just as you wouldn’t let your child quit school in the second grade because they’re struggling, you shouldn’t abandon your goal early on. Instead, you seek ways to help your child, whether it’s through extra practice or finding new study methods. Similarly, when building a business or striving toward a personal goal, you should be willing to adapt and find strategies that work better for you.

You wouldn’t let your child give up at the first sign of difficulty and neither should you. This perspective shift can increase your resilience and ability to adapt, making your goals more achievable in the long run.

Turning the Yearly Goal into a North Star

Acknowledging the importance of having a direction, I describe the annual goal as a “north star”—a guiding light helping you make decisions throughout the year. This “north star” isn’t where your attention should only be focused on; instead, it serves as a compass guiding you in choosing opportunities and activities that align with your larger vision.

This mindset shift from one specific goal to a directional guide helps with aligning your daily activities with your overall objectives. Decisions become simpler when you have a clear understanding of where you intend to go, even if the path there isn’t straightforward.

The Power of 90-Day Goals

I suggest a more productive alternative to yearly goals—focusing on 90-day targets. These shorter, clearer milestones can transform goal-setting from a daunting mountain into a manageable hill. Achieving a large revenue target won’t look like a consistent, linear progression each month; instead, it’s a build-up of consistency and small wins.

Breaking down your ultimate goal into quarterly chunks empowers you to concentrate on immediate actions and decisions, which then builds momentum. Recognizing small wins along the way keeps the motivation alive, helping bridge the gap between ambition and action.

Focus on Activity, Not Just Revenue

An essential element of my approach is emphasizing monthly activities over rigid revenue targets. By focusing on what needs to be done rather than just numbers, achieving your goals becomes a game, not a chase. This way, every discovery call, client acquisition, or marketing effort becomes a measurable step toward your ultimate target.

In doing so, not only does goal-setting become more fun and engaging, but it also allows you to adapt and pivot as needed. Being adaptable is so important in handling the natural ebbs and flows of business.

Conclusion

Adopting a strategy centered around 90-day goals and activities instead of traditional, fixed yearly goals is not just a structural change; it’s a mindset shift that can transform how you work and feel about your business or personal goals.

By applying these principles, 2025 can be your most rewarding year yet—one where you not only reach your goals but thoroughly enjoy the journey. If this approach resonates with you and aligns with your future goals, consider exploring mentorships like the Strategist Society, where customized support can guide you to achieve your big goals.