Why Your Goal Isn’t Working: The Power of a Clear, Compelling Why
This post is part of The Goal-Getter Series—practical insights and simple strategies to help you stop spinning, stay focused, and actually finish what you start.
If Your “Why” Is Weak, Your Goal Will Fizzle
We all know the thrill of a fresh start.
New year, new planner, new pens, new goals. That initial burst of energy feels unstoppable—until life gets busy, motivation fades, and the goal that felt so exciting starts collecting dust.
I’ve learned (through plenty of false starts) that most goals don’t fail because of lack of effort or intelligence. They fizzle because they weren’t clear enough—or compelling enough—to begin with.
Vague goals lead to vague results.
And when the why is weak, the how fades fast.
Vague Goals Lead to Vague Results
We say things like “I want to be healthier,” “I need to get organized,” or “I want to grow my business.”
Good intentions—but not great goals.
A goal without a clear finish line is like a road trip without a map. We may start out eager, but we eventually end up circling the same exits, wondering why we never got anywhere.
Clarity doesn’t have to mean perfection or rigidity—it just gives direction. It keeps us honest about what we’re actually aiming for and how we’ll know when we’ve arrived.
“Be healthier” becomes “I’ll walk 30 minutes, four days a week, so I have more energy to play with my kids.”
“Get organized” becomes “I’ll spend 15 minutes each evening resetting my workspace so tomorrow starts smoother.”
So before pressing ahead, it might be worth pausing to ask:
What exactly am I trying to do—and how will I know when I’ve done it?
There’s a Scrum technique of “What does ‘done’ look like?” It’s a helpful nudge to get clear about the desired outcome. An even better option is Brene Brown’s version of this, “Paint done.” “Paint done” gets to the deeper, often unspoken expectations and hopes as well as the bigger why.
The Power of a Compelling “Why”
Clarity helps, but meaning sustains.
For years, I’ve wrestled with my weight. Not in an obsessive way, but through frequent, half-hearted attempts to “get healthier.” Sure, the number on the scale mattered—but it wasn’t enough to keep me going.
What finally made a difference was reframing why it mattered.
I stopped focusing on appearance and started thinking about health and longevity—how I wanted to age, how I wanted to feel, how I wanted to live. I realized it’s easy enough to buy bigger clothes, but this body is the only one I get. When I look at my family history, I know I want a different story for my later years.
There are no guarantees, of course—but I can do my part. My reason became less about the size of my jeans and more about the quality of my life. And that “why” continues to motivate me long after the shiny-new-goal energy wears off.
Now when I “paint done” I’ve enlarged the canvas and included more color and perspective.
From Escape to Embrace
My client, Megan, was in a similar place—but in her career. She was miserable in her job and desperate for a change. She wanted to start something on her own, but the motivation just wasn’t there—and neither was her husband’s support.
At first, all she wanted was an escape from what was draining her. But escape alone doesn’t move us forward—it just gets us stuck somewhere else.
As we worked together, Megan began to “paint done,” creating a vision of what her new life could look like.
Externally, it meant more time with her kids, flexibility for self-care, and energy for her home life.
Internally, it meant being a more present mom, a more loving spouse, and a stronger, more generous woman.
That shift—from running from something to reaching for something—was everything.
Once her “why” became a “yes” to something better, not just a “no” to something bad, she gained momentum. Her husband could see the vision too. And together, they took the leap. Today she’s thriving—and it all started with a compelling “why.”
When our goals are anchored in positive vision with deep, personal meaning, they have staying power.
Is there a goal you’ve been struggling to make progress on?
Try reflecting on these prompts:
“Paint done” for that goal or desire.
Why does this goal matter to me now?
What’s at stake if I don’t follow through?
Who else will benefit when I succeed?
How might God be inviting me to grow through this goal?
It’s Easier to Say No When You Have a Bigger Yes
I often say this to clients (and to myself): It’s easier to say no when you have a bigger yes.
A clear and compelling reason gives us strength when momentum lags, when opportunities distract, or when temptation calls.
That bigger yes is what gets us to the gym on dark, cold mornings.
It’s what helps us pass up the quick purchase because we’re saving for the family trip.
It’s what helps us stay faithful to what we’ve already committed to, instead of chasing something shiny and new.
A bigger yes keeps us grounded in what matters most—and reminds us that discipline is really just devotion in disguise.
How to Turn Goals Into Present-Tense Reality
Here’s a way to put all this into practice: write an “I Am” statement for one of your goals.
These statements help us name what we’re working toward in a way that feels concrete and real. They’re written in the present tense—as if it’s already true—because they help train both our minds and our hearts to live into that reality.
Examples might sound like:
“I am working out for at least 30 minutes four times a week so I move more easily and have more stamina for playing with my kids.”
“I have grown my revenue by 10% by offering this new service.”
“I am strengthening my marriage because I’m sharing more love and attention with my spouse each day.”
“I have a six-month schedule of workshops planned and have already led two successful sessions.”
“I am honoring others’ lives and trust by fulfilling my duties as executor with integrity, calmness, and attentiveness.”
Sometimes, the goal feels far away or unclear—like my example with the estates. When that’s the case, focus your statement on your why and how you want to show up as you move toward it.
And if writing these feels uncomfortable, remember—they’re not lies. They’re faith-filled declarations of a future reality.
Our brains don’t really know the difference between present and future, so when we make these positive, present-tense statements, we begin to live in ways that make them true.
In many ways, it’s how we partner with God to co-create our lives—one small, intentional “I am” at a time.
Clarity + Meaning = Momentum
Clarity gives direction. Meaning gives motivation. Add those together, and you’ll actually harness the momentum you’ve been seeking.
If your goal isn’t clear—or it’s not connected to something that truly matters—it’s no wonder it fizzles. But when your why runs deep—when it reflects your bigger yes and aligns with what God is stirring in you—you’ll find renewed energy and endurance to follow through.
Before you push harder, pause. Go deeper. Strengthen your why. Clarify your what.
Because when the why is strong, the how finds a way—and grace meets you right there in the middle.
Next up in The Goal-Getter Series: No Real Plan—why even the best intentions need a detailed roadmap.
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