My Goal-Setting System + Discoveries That Changed Everything (And Took Away A Lot of Pressure)

It's almost the end of January and some people have already quit their New Year's goals.

By March, studies show that over 90% will have abandoned them completely. (University of Scranton research tracked New Year's resolutions - though I suspect the real number is even worse)

Sure, discipline matters a lot for achieving goals. But it's far from the whole story.

My observation & belief is that most people fail because—not knowing any better—they're chasing outcomes without building the “tools”- identity, vision, and systems- that make those outcomes inevitable.

And the effort becomes exhausting so they quit.

They keep trying to produce different results without changing the “programming”, without updating “the operating system”.

Fair warning: This isn't your typical approach to goal setting. It aims to summarize what I’ve learned about goal-setting in one place—the complete system I use after 20+ years in business and a spiritual transformation that changed how I pursue achievement entirely.

It's long. It's comprehensive. If you find it valuable, share it with someone who needs it.

Here's what's inside:

➡️ Why traditional goal-setting usually creates pressure instead of progress

➡️ The framework that reduced my stress while increasing results

➡️ 5 practical quarterly planning steps you can use today

➡️ Daily principles that make goals inevitable

➡️ What I deliberately ignore from popular systems (and why)

Let's start first with what I discovered.

Recent Research + The Gaps I Discovered in Popular Goal-Setting Methods

As some of you know- if you’ve been following me on Linkedin- at the end of last year, I spent a couple of weeks analyzing goal-setting systems from people who actually have results:

• · A highly successful American business coach (one of my mentors)

• · Chase Hughes' behavioral psychology method

• · James Clear's Atomic Habits framework

• · Andrew Huberman's neuroscience protocol

Each offered genuine value. But analyzing them side by side revealed both their strengths and some gaps.

Here's what I found valuable:

From James Clear: "You don't rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems."

After 20+ years in business, I've seen this repeatedly. People who focus on systems outlast people chasing outcomes. The reason is quite basic: you control your processes and habits, not your outcomes.

From Chase Hughes: Identity-based change is powerful. Behavior flows from identity, not the other way around (couldn’t agree more with both). Environmental design matters also.

From my business mentor: Life-business integration is crucial. When your personal life and business goals conflict, you create friction that sabotages both. Simplification and focus are key.

From Andrew Huberman: Weekly assessment beats daily tracking. Task bracketing works—doing similar-difficulty tasks at similar times strengthens habit circuits. Sleep quality affects habit formation more than we realize.

Solid and useful.

But here are two gaps I noticed in all of these teachings that stood out to me.

Blind Spots None of Them Really Addressed

Gap #1: The Missing Bridge

None of these systems adequately addressed the bridge between annual vision and daily habits/action.

They mentioned goals. They mentioned habits.

But what about the “middle ground”?

Most people need help not to fall into the trap of setting yearly goals with corresponding daily habits yet still winging it week by week due to no strategic direction or evaluation of both.

Are you sure your chosen habits/ systems are moving you effectively into your yearly goals?

We all need more help with the middle ground—a strategic plan to evaluate what works and what doesn’t and adjust regularly.

And I think Quarterly Planning can be that “bridge”. (more below)


Gap #2: The "Zero Emotional Pressure" Assumption

All these teachings seem to assume you're starting from a stable, healthy emotional place.

They assume you can handle constant optimization. The relentless tracking and adjusting. The emotional toll of missed targets.

For some, it works fine. It used to work for me.

But when you're experiencing major life transitions—even positive ones—these systems may not work as well or generate the same results.

And they may trigger intense self-condemnation.

It's like trying to run a marathon while also processing grief, navigating a move, or rebuilding your life in some way/area.

The Pressure I Didn't Know I Was Carrying

For years, I set goals aggressively.

Hit most of them. Built businesses and projects as outlined or planned. Worked with big brands on major campaigns.

From the outside, it all looked like success.

From the inside? I was satisfied but confused- about my own purpose, and sometimes depleted, running on empty without even realizing it.

I was achieving my business goals, yet without true alignment. These achievements worked great for my ego, social status, and bank account but as I came to realize, it wasn’t enough.

Like reaching the top of a ladder only to realize it's somehow leaning against the wrong building…

Every setback felt personal. Every goal I didn't hit became a crisis in my heart—to the point of causing deep emotional pain (that I was busy hiding instead of addressing)

Under the circumstances, burnout wasn't a question of If, but When.

If it hadn't been for my spiritual journey, I may have never realized I needed "saving", including from myself.

But from the moment I became serious about studying the Bible, deep revelations started to emerge. And things began to change.

Since we are on the goal setting now, I’ll only mention the part that transformed me in this area:

A practical framework that can improve your own goal setting system even if you don't share my faith perspective.

The Framework That Works (And Removes the Pressure)

Based on my years of business experience, extensive reading and research on the topic, as well as spiritual revelation, here's what I discovered:

Identity comes first and is the most effective foundation for setting and achieving goals.

Identity → Vision → Goals → Quarterly Plans → Systems

Let me break down why I believe this order matters significantly.

1. Identity: The Foundation

Your identity is the operating system running in the background, fueling every decision.

Most people build their identity from:

• What others think of them

• Past failures and wins

• Current circumstances

• Comparison with others

This creates instability. Because all of these things change constantly.

It's like building your house on sand. Looks fine until the storm hits.

But here’s a shift that matters: Anchoring your identity in something that doesn't fluctuate with circumstances.

I know, this isn't easy. It requires examining your life deeply rather than avoiding uncomfortable questions. I nevertheless encourage you to attempt it, even regularly.

For me, that anchor is my faith.

Everything changed—including how I set and achieve goals—when I finally understood God's love for me and began studying the Bible more deeply.

It was truly enlightening, freeing and empowering to realize that my goals were definitely not the first step… like they used to be.
They were just expressions of my identity, not its source.

If you can't say the same yet, if you are still searching from a spiritual perspective, try to anchor your identity in your core life values—those you'll never compromise.

Why does an established identity matter a lot for achieving goals?

You can probably see where this leads- because if your identity shifts with every outcome, peace will be close to impossible.

But when you know who you are at the core, this stability empowers your goal-setting and achievement. A lot less energy gets lost in anxiety.

Proverbs 23:7 says it perfectly: "As he thinks in his heart, so is he."

James Clear touched on identity-based habits but didn't go deep enough on where that identity is rooted.

This is why goal-setting that neglects identity fails faster.

You're trying to become someone new while your identity keeps pulling you back to who you've always been- in your mind and daily actions.

Some people push through with sheer willpower—and pay the price in how they feel, even burnout or broken relationships.

If that’s not what you want to experience in 2026, start here-

What are those core values that define your inner being? Who are you really?

Not based on achievement. Not based on other people's opinions. Based on those things you deeply value and that won't change when circumstances do.

2. Vision: The Direction

Once your identity or your core values are solid, vision is the next step.

Vision isn't "I want to make $100K this year" or "I want more freedom."

That's not vision. Just versions of goals.

Vision answers:

• What's my purpose? Why do I want what I want?

• What am I actually building here?

• What impact am I making?

• Who am I becoming?

Proverbs 29:18: "Where there is no vision, people perish."

Your vision should inspire you.

Understanding more of how God sees me made me search for His vision for my life.

While I'm still in the clarification phase, I can already say - as some of you may know - God doesn't give small visions… Like David's calling, they usually sound intimdating if not “impossible”.

Yet, here is what’s critical about vision- it does not define my identity.

It just reveals my identity, but it's not its source. If it were, it would make me as insecure as I used to be.

In fact, to share how much an identity shift can change everything, I believe I gradually reached a place where nothing here on earth - whether work or personal - is any longer a source for my identity and security outside of God's love.

If you seek vision before identity, even if it's God-given, you'll work for acceptance (performance-based), your security will be tied to achievement, and you'll struggle not to compete or compare.

3. Goals: The Milestones

Finally, we get to goals.

I define them because vision without goals means no plan and no clear direction.

But once they're defined, they're not really my focus.

Since they're the results of my identity and vision, they serve as direction markers and milestones.

They're important but they're not the foundation.

After defining these yearly goals, before I establish my habits/systems I implement one more step- the one mentioned above:

4. Quarterly Planning: The Missing Bridge

None of the four systems I studied emphasized this properly. But I've found this quarterly planning key to goal achievement.

Why quarterly?

Annual goals are too far away. You simply lose ‘urgency’.
Monthly goals are too ‘short’ on the other hand, you can't build momentum.

But 90 days seems to be the sweet spot for our minds. It is long enough to see real results. And short enough to stay focused.

Multiple studies (including research from Asana, Atlassian, Ninety, and others) show that 90-day planning cycles significantly improve motivation, adaptability, habit formation, and resource allocation.

So once I have my yearly goals, I only establish my first quarterly objective. At the end of each quarter, I analyze what worked, what didn't, and adjust the following quarterly objectives accordingly.

Also for each quarter, I use 5 simple steps (as detailed below, after systems).

5. Systems/Processes/Habits: What You Actually Control

Based on my quarterly plan, I then establish the processes I know will help me reach my goals.

Luke 16:10: "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much."

Remember: Systems > Goals? You've heard me say this many times because I makes so much sense.

We control inputs (process), not outputs (outcomes).

We get immediate feedback from inputs: did I do the ‘thing’ today?

We build self-efficacy through controllable wins.

The outcome happens as a byproduct if we chose the right habits and systems.

Example:

• Outcome goal: "Earn $X/month"

• Process Habit: "Contact 5 potential clients per week using a clear system for selection and qualification"

Systems create consistency. And consistency produces results.

I understood the power of systems in my first business—it changed our revenues noticeably. Now I focus on constantly improving my systems while also pursuing time freedom.

As promised, let me detail:

My 5-Step Quarterly Planning Process

Step 1: Choose ONE Primary Focus for the Quarter

Not three. Not five. One.

What's the single most important thing you need to move forward-toward your yearly goals- in the next 90 days?

Lead generation? Revenue increase? Operations improvement?

Choose one. Everything else supports it.

Step 2: Set Your 1-3 Outcomes As Reference Points

What does success look like by the end of this quarter?

This step is your direction marker—not your daily focus.

Examples:

• Add 500 email subscribers

• Generate $X in revenue

• Launch new offer that converts a min of 20 qualified leads etc

Think of this as your destination. But you don't stare at the destination while driving—you watch the road (your daily processes).

Step 3: Choose KPIs You Can Track

KPIs that relate to your focus and outcome(s)

Good KPIs:

•  # of Posts published per week

•  # of Conversations started

•  % for Email growth

• # of Leads generated

• Weekly revenue

Bad KPIs:

• # of Viral posts (you don't control this)

• Random engagement spikes

• Follower count* alone, etc

*Some social media metrics are like junk food. They feel good in the moment but don't actually nourish your business.

Step 4: Design or Improve the Systems That Will Get You There

The most important step.

What systems need to exist (or improve) for your outcome(s) to happen?

• · Content creation system (batch writing, repurposing etc)

• · Posting consistency system (scheduler, templates)

• · Engagement system (daily commenting routine)

• · Sales system (how you reach out, follow up, close)

• · Lead Qualification system

• · Email nurture system

• · Financial tracking system

etc

Systems make outcomes inevitable. No systems? You're just hoping and hope is not strategy.

Step 5: Review Every 90 Days with Brutal Honesty

You may track your processes weekly but review outcome(s) quarterly.

At the end of every quarter, sit down and ask:

• · Where the outcomes achieved?

• · What worked?

• · What didn't work?

• · What do I need to adjust?

• · Where did I avoid responsibility? (This one hurts, but it's critical)

I aim to start this review with prayer. Because, as I shared above, if I'm building something misaligned with my deeper purpose, no amount of achievement will make it fulfilling.

Goals take time. Obsessing over them while ignoring your plan, systems and daily processes that achieve these goals, will most probably lead to abandon, frustration or burnout.

But Identity → Vision → Goals → Quarterly Plans → Systems -this sequence works beautifully.

I promised at the start of this to give you a summary of all the goal setting practices that I know from experience work so there are a few more that made a considerable difference in my life.

I attempted to summarize them below.

Other Principles That Majorly Influence My Goal Achivement

By the way, these are also a support for the framework above and they all compound over time.
I’m focusing on:

1-My Thinking: Replacing wrong, unconstructive beliefs with truth

 Or renewing my mind as the Bible calls it.

Proverbs 23:7: "As he thinks in his heart, so is he."

The identity shift I described happened in my case after a few years of practicing mind renewal with God's promises from the Bible.

(In secular terms, this is called CBT—cognitive behavioral therapy. I'm not referring to disconnected-from-reality affirmations.)

Behavior flows from identity, from being.

As I continue improving my thinking—about myself and the areas I'm focusing on—my experiences change for the better.

Practice: Identify lies or limiting beliefs you have about yourself or your situation. Replace them with truth.

Examples of beliefs that derail progress:

• · "If this were right, it wouldn't feel so hard"

• · "I should feel confident before I show up"

Truths that can become your thoughts:

• · "I take intentional steps toward my goals—even when I'm unsure, even when it feels hard"

• · "I show up and do my best until I figure it out. Purpose, not feelings, drive me" etc

2- My Words: I Speak ‘Life’

The Bible taught me the power of words:

Proverbs 18:21: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue."

Proverbs 12:14: "A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth."

An identity shift triggers changed words. This happened to me in several areas.

The way I talk about challenges now is quite different than before.

If your words are a version of:

• ·  "I can't figure this out"

• · "Nothing seems to be working"

• · "Everyone else is succeeding except me"

Reframe them when you speak:

• · "This is challenging, and I'm learning the solution"

• · "I haven't figured this out yet, but I will. I'm building systems that will produce results"

• · "My timeline is different, and that's okay, I actually prefer what’s uniquely mine"

Luke 6:45: "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."

Your words reveal your identity. The good news is that when you change your thinking and identity, your words will shift naturally.

3- Simplification:

3 big goals (MITs - Most Important Tasks) per day, not more. Same for the week.

Also prioritize your MITs starting with the one you believe will have the biggest impact.

4- Positive imagination exercises:

Genesis 11:6: "Nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do."

I use imagination exercises to see the vision in my heart before it becomes reality.

This is confirmed not only by the Bible but by my own experience.

I learned it first while selling our ideas to big corporations—when I could see the concept mentally, it would sell. And I would present it a lot better. When I couldn't visualize, we often failed.

Fascinating, especially being unaware of these spiritual laws then.

One of my revelations from the Bible: our imagination is like a spiritual "womb"—through faith, it can conceive what God's Word says.

In terms of practical tools I use here, I've transitioned from vision boards to prayer boards—learned it from a fellow Christian entrepreneur (a topic for another time)

5- Weekly assessment over daily tracking

Daily tracking can be too much and demotivate. It may make you see the bad days more than the good overall trends.

Weekly reviews show patterns without creating the same anxiety.

When you execute your quarterly plan weekly, you stay agile without losing direction.

6- Environment design:

Make the right behavior inevitable.

If you want to write in the morning, have your laptop & inspiration sources open and ready the night before.

If you want to eat healthy, don't keep junk food in the house.

Your willpower depends on your energy and your energy is limited.

Your environment is programmable and plenty of solutions can be found to make it more supportive of your goals.

7- The 2-minute rule:

Love this rule. Perfect for habits you keep postponing.

If it takes less than 2 minutes, do it now. Answer the email. Make the call. Write the outline. If it takes more, start with those 2 minutes and then keep going.

Procrastination grows in the gap between intention and action. Close that gap with very small steps if necessary.

8- Community and accountability

I have a small group that provides fellowship and support.

And I'm looking to improve accountability structures in my life—further to those offered my my mentors.
Research and studies consistently show that having accountability partners or community support significantly increases goal achievement rates—some studies show improvement from around 40% to over 90% success rates.

What I Deliberately Don't Use (And Why)

I detailed in my Linkedin post series for those curious. Here I will just mention the “time leverage as the only variable”- claimed by one of the systems I analyzed.

I find it unhelpful and disappointing in its oversimplification.

Time leverage matters, but so does knowledge (of all the above for example), market timing, health, skills, networks, capital, and many other factors.

Insisting so much that “we all have the same 24 hours” sounds to me like guru-level gaslighting.

On top of the above, and staying away from “outcome only” focus, I also stay away from:

Comparison with others: Your journey is unique so your timeline may be different. Comparison steals joy and distorts vision. Learn to cherish what is uniquely yours.

Perfectionism: Done is better than perfect. Aim for excellence using your standards, but don't let chasing excellence cause procrastination

The Pressure Relief

What changed everything for me: my worth, identity, security are no longer tied to hitting every goal.

I'm building something meaningful. Some quarters will exceed expectations. Others won't.

That's normal. That's how growth works.

When your identity is secure, you can handle both without spiraling.

A real measure of achievement- success becomes faithfulness to the process, faithfulness to one’s purpose.

This means I can show up with peace even when results are slow.

But slowly, consistently, more effects take over.

Like compound interest. Boring at first. Powerful over time.

Your Turn

So that’s a summary of my goal-setting system in one place.

Bookmark it. Return to it when you're setting your quarterly plans. Share it with someone who's struggling.

What's your primary focus for Q1 2026?

Let me know. I read every response.

If you need help finding your best business niche or building the systems that make your goals inevitable, here's how I can help:

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