Why People Fail

There is one reason that most people fail when they set out to achieve a goal: poor planning. 

I understand that many people will find faults in motivation, discipline, consistency etc but these are second order consequences of poor planning. To illustrate this, consider an employee who embodies low motivation, discipline and/or consistency. If they were told that their salary would increase 50x if they immediately rectified these issues - do you think they would still have a deficit of motivation or consistency? 

A lack in any of these areas, once someone has started working towards a goal, is not often a personal failing - it's logical. Everyone who starts a diet or workout routine and quits in the stereotypical 3-6 weeks does so because what they thought they were "paying" (via effort and sacrifice) didn't match what they believed they were buying (ie results). Going back to our employee example, this is someone who puts forth their best effort only to find pennies in their paycheck. 

With this problem in mind, I will present the solution that I believe, if you follow it, will result in your ability to achieve any goal you choose - or, at minimum, achieve the best result of which you are capable. 

Step 1: Understand Your Goal

This means having a clear picture of what you want to achieve, and an understanding of why it matters. 

Someone might have the goal to become a national boxing champion. If they were asked why the answer could be that they want to become a great fighter. Asked why again the answer could be so that they can defend themselves. Asked why again, the answer could be that they were mugged as a teenager and don't want to feel like they can't defend themselves. 

An alternate example could be an aspiring powerlifter who wants to bench press 500 pounds, squat 700 and deadlift 800. Asked why they might tell you they want to hit the mythical 2000 pound powerlifting total. Asked why again they might tell you that the current national record is 1800. Asked why again, the answer could be that it's their dream to be a national champion. 

In either case, determining what matters most about the goal allows you to home in on exactly what your target should be - something that is essential in cultivating motivation and discipline as the natural byproducts of your goal.

(In the first example it would be pertinent to modify the goal, in the second it would be wise to lower it. Some cases will require the opposite - these are merely examples.)

Step 2: Understand Where You Are

To effectively use a GPS you need two things: where you would like to go, and where you are currently. 

Whether I want to learn how to fight, break a powerlifting record or build a physique like the newest superman, I first need to understand where I am, relative to that, today. This allows me to see the differences, or gap, between these two points. 

To create an effective plan you must be able to articulate, in clear and measurable ways, what that plan is supposed to accomplish. 

Continuing from our powerlifting example above, here is a simple illustration of the "gap":

Current bodyweight: 247 pounds - Weight class limit: 242 pounds (-5)

Current squat: 575 pounds - Goal: 700 (+125)

Current bench press: 405 - Goal: 500 (+95)

Current deadlift: 585 - Goal: 800 (+215)

This step is simple, but imperative for success. Before moving forward you should have exact specifics that encompass exactly what the "gaps" are between where you are now and your desired end state. 

(With a less tangible goal, like a super hero physique, you could list your current body measurements and the direction they need to go.)

Step 3: Understand The Routes

Back to our GPS, once you've identified your goal location and starting point you're prompted to choose a route. The normal reaction is to choose the fastest route available - but with our goals this becomes more complicated. 

Imagine you have two routes to a particular destination, the first route has an estimated time of 17 minutes and the second, 26 minutes. 

It seems like an easy choice, unless you investigate the routes and find that the first one requires you to drive through a mile of unpaved, pot-holed, mud. 

If you're driving a lifted truck, this might not bother you - and you'll choose the first route regardless. 

If you're driving a lowered sports car, choosing the first route might cost you an extra hour waiting for a tow truck, and a few thousand dollars at a body shop. 

These considerations are the equivalent of recognizing the realities of your "vehicle", which is your body, and your genetics. 

If your original goal was an 800 pound deadlift, because you wanted to break a powerlifting record, but you've got extremely short arms it would make sense to alter your route to rely more on squat and bench press improvements to increase your powerlifting total. 

If your original goal was to become a national champion boxer, but what you really want is to defend yourself, you might decide to take up Muay Thai - or shooting. 

It is possible that both the dream result and the dream route are available to you - but it's not a guarantee. If Mike Tyson grew up dreaming of the World Heavyweight Championship but wanted to win his fights in the same style as Ali... I wouldn't be using his name in this example. 

(The simplest approach to this step is to look for an example of someone whose vehicle resembles yours and has achieved the result you're looking for.)

Step 4: Put It Together

Once you've completed each of the steps above, potentially with multiple iterations as you hit roadblocks or gain insight, it's essential to consider the full picture and ask the following questions:

Is this possible?

Despite the motivational gurus on the internet, some goals are not possible. If this is your goal, I'm sorry - but you will be more sorry if you ignore this and continue down a path that leads to nowhere.

The only option, if this is the case, is to reconfigure the goal to match reality.

Do not delude yourself here in either direction. A very difficult goal is not impossible, and should never be categorized as such. Conversely, a truly impossible goal is a stupid thing to chase - and should always be categorized as such. 

Next, Am I willing to do what it takes?

This question sounds like a trap, but isn't meant to be.

The answer does not have to be yes. 

There are times I've seriously considered returning to professional strongman, and worked through each of the steps I've presented to you. Each time I've realized I'll need to gain at least 80 lbs - something that's possible, but not something I'm willing to do.

For some people this might mean giving up foods they enjoy, for some it might mean getting punched in the face, for some it might mean risking a serious injury. 

There is a natural pressure to say you're willing to make sacrifices when you know you aren't. It's better to adjust the goal to a level that allows you to be honest, most of all with yourself, than to say the "right" thing and begin moving towards an inevitable failure. 

Step 5: Choose A Plan

Once you've completed each of the preceding steps, the right plan of action becomes obvious. 

Every option is no longer weighed by how "good" it sounds, or yielding results for someone else, they're judged by the standards you have created.

This produces maximal results, and eliminates the reason most people fail.  

Take this, and go do something great.