The Problem With Most Goal Setting
Every January, millions of people set resolutions… and most will abandon them by February. The reason? Resolutions lack structure. They’re built on emotion, not intention. Wishes like “I want to lose weight,” “make more money,” or “be happier” might sound inspiring in the moment, but they’re not a plan. Those examples are blurry, vague, and destined to fade.
At Depth Not Width, we don’t chase more goals. We go deeper with fewer ones. We commit to a few goals backed by purpose, clarity, and a proven process that turns ideas into outcomes.
If you’ve already completed the Year In Review worksheet, you’ve taken the first step. You’ve looked back to see where you’ve grown and what still needs attention. Now it’s time to look forward and to design the year ahead with intention.
The Difference Between Resolutions and Goals
The truth is simple: Resolutions fade. Goals endure. Real goals come with structure, accountability, and emotional connection. They have a why, not just a what.
That’s where the Depth Not Width Goal Setting Worksheet comes in. It’s a simple, powerful tool built around the strategies I’ve tested, refined, and used personally for a decade.
This worksheet will help you:
- Turn vague resolutions into S.M.A.R.T. goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timely).
- Define why your goals matter and how you’ll feel when you achieve them.
- Identify the actions and habits that will create progress in 90-day sprints.
- Choose your accountability partner, someone who will call you out and cheer you on.
The Best Goal Setting Strategies for 2026
Start With Reflection – Before you set any goal, pause to ask: What did I learn this year? What do I want more of? If you skipped that step, go back to the Year-End Reflection Guide first. Reflection creates awareness. Awareness fuels direction.
Get Focused on Fewer Things – The biggest mistake most people make is scattering energy across ten different goals. Pick two or three that matter most. Focus beats volume every time.
Make Your Goals S.M.A.R.T. – Vague goals create vague results. Specific ones create measurable progress. Make sure every goal you set is:
- Specific: Clear and defined.
- Measurable: You can track progress.
- Achievable: Ambitious but realistic.
- Relevant: Connected to your purpose and priorities.
- Timely: Bound by a clear deadline.
Break It Into 90-Day Sprints – A year can feel overwhelming. Ninety days feels possible. Break your big goals into smaller sprints and focus on consistent action, not perfection.
Add the DO and the WHO – Every goal needs a DO (the action you’ll take) and a WHO (someone who holds you accountable.) Accountability makes goals real.
Celebrate Progress, Not Just Completion – Momentum is built in the small wins. Celebrate progress weekly. You’ll stay motivated when you see how far you’ve come.
Your Goal Setting Worksheet
Ready to start? Grab your 2026 Goal Setting Worksheet. It’s designed and built to guide you through each step of this process. This isn’t another “New Year’s resolution” form. It’s a strategic framework for creating real results in 2026… one goal at a time, by design.
A Final Challenge: Misogi
Each year, I challenge myself to complete one “Misogi,”, a concept I picked up from Jesse Itzler. It’s something so difficult, so bold, and so memorable, that it defines the whole year. Misogi isn’t about achievement for achievement’s sake. It’s about stretching your limits and discovering what you’re capable of. A Misogi Challenge, as I define it, should:
- Push you to the edge of your comfort zone. It should be hard enough that there’s a real chance you might fail – that’s what makes it powerful.
- Scare you just enough to make you grow. Fear is the signal that you’re doing something that matters.
- Be for you, not for anyone else. This isn’t about recognition or comparison. It’s about creating a deeply personal moment of growth that stays with you long after it’s done.
So, here’s your Misogi challenge: What’s the one thing you’ll do this year that scares you a little, challenges you a lot, and will change you in 2026?
The Takeaway
As you start planning your next year, remember this: progress doesn’t begin on January 1st. It starts the moment you decide to be intentional, to stop drifting, and to define what matters most and build your life around it.
Before you rush ahead, take some time to look back. If you haven’t already, download your Year In Review worksheet and give yourself the space to pause, reflect, and learn from the past year. Then, when you’re ready to move forward, grab the Goal Setting Worksheet and start designing the year ahead, one that’s focused, meaningful, and true to who you are. Start small, but start now. Build a year that reflects your purpose.
Here’s to clarity, growth, and the kind of goals that change you from the inside out.
Ready for more?
If you liked this, then you might be interested in my new book, Living Life Daily. Designed to motivate and challenge you every day, this book offers 365 thought-provoking prompts that will push you to reflect, take action, and embrace meaningful change. Whether you’re striving to set clearer goals, build resilient habits, or cultivate a winning mindset, each daily entry is packed with wisdom and practical advice to help you take small steps toward big results. Find it here!
You’ll also get massive value out of the Grit Meets Growth podcast that I share with Chris Cathers. It’s for people who want more out of life… at work, at home, in their relationships, and in their health and wellness. Find it here or on your favorite podcast platform! – John
