Most people fail their goals not because they lack effort, but because they’re stuck using outdated strategies. In this episode, I break down a bold, no-BS approach to goal-setting that focuses on fewer, bigger goals, unstoppable habits, and the mindset shifts you need to dominate 2025 like a savage. Links and Resources Mentioned: 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dr. Benjamin Hardy: https://amzn.to/4j41HJq Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://amzn.to/4210jkO Master of the Close: https://masteroftheclose.com The Civilized Savage: https://civilizedsavagebook.com What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why traditional goal-setting advice (like SMART goals) often falls flat—and what to do instead. The power of prioritizing fewer, bigger goals to create clarity and focus. How to detach from outcomes and commit to non-negotiable habits that drive success. Why tracking your habits, not just your outcomes, is the key to building momentum. How to apply the concepts of The Power of One More and Stoic philosophy to take relentless action. A practical, 5-step system for setting goals you’ll actually hit. Key Quotes from the Episode: “The reasonable man adapts himself to the world. The unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” — George Bernard Shaw “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” — James Clear “Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.” — Tony Robbins What’s your “one more” today? Share your non-negotiable habit or the next bold step you’ll take toward your goal. Drop it in the comments, DM me on Instagram, or connect with me on LinkedIn—let’s make it real! Instagram: https://instagram.com/ryan_hanley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanhanley
Chapter 1: Why do most people fail at their goals?
I've always hated goals. I've always thought that they were pointless. I felt like if I just worked as hard as I possibly could, then what was the point of the goal? I was just going to get as much as I could get, but I was wrong. And if you struggle with goals, then you are in the right place. My friends keep listening.
what is up guys and welcome back to the show we have another solo episode for you i'm really enjoying doing these as i dump my brain hopefully into yours now what changed my mind about goals years of running businesses leading teams and realizing one hard truth Goals aren't the problem. It's the way we've been taught to set them. It's the way that we've been taught to attack them.
Chapter 2: What is the problem with traditional goal-setting methods?
Yeah.
We'll be right back. And I found I was great at starting projects, but I was terrible at finishing them. And that's when I realized that hard work without goals just doesn't work. And some of you are probably listening to this going, duh, Ryan, you know, I've known about goals for years. Well, shit, sorry.
I have these odd things that I think, and until I absolutely bang them against a wall and find out if they make hay or not, I have to kind of learn the hard way. That's always been the way for me. And, you know, the problem is most of the advice that we get about goals is absolute garbage. You've heard things like, you know, just make smart goals, or you need stretch goals, and
You know, everyone talks about smart goals, but I don't know anybody in which, like, they practice smart goals and they actually work for them. And be honest with yourself. Like, do you sit down and do, like, specific, measurable, achievable, relevant time? Like, do you writing all that down? Yeah. I don't know anybody that does that, and I also think there's tons of cracks in the system.
It's not completely lacking of value, but I definitely don't think that smart goals are the answer or stretch goals or any of these other kind of prepackaged philosophies around goals actually work. And here's some stats for you. A staggering, staggering 84% of people do not set any goals, which obviously significantly diminishes their chances of success.
Only 3% of people have written goals with a plan to execute them. Even though, and this is crazy, you are 10 times more likely to succeed if you've written out your goals. 10 times more likely. Only 45% of the people that actually set goals even track their goals. Insane. And 35% of individuals abandon their New Year's resolutions within a week of setting them.
Often due to setting unattainable goals that came with the stat. And I think that last part is bullshit. And that's why we have to be careful when we get a stat and then someone applies their opinion on to the end of it, which I'm doing, but this is my podcast. I get to put my opinion on things. Um, they call it quitters day and it's one week from when this episode is dropping.
So this is dropping on Friday, the third. So technically, um, The second Friday in January is officially Quitter's Day when all of our big grandiose plans and goals that we make for the year we throw out and go back to our old habits. So if we don't set goals the right way, then we are absolutely giving ourselves no chance of success. We're failing ourselves, our team, our business.
And that is not who we are, certainly if you take the time to listen to this show. So first, before we like get into the actual strategy itself. I want to hit you with this idea. Prioritize fewer, bigger goals. One of the biggest reasons that goals fail is because we try to do too much at once. We spread ourselves thin.
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