The #1 Goal-Setting Mistake (and How to Fix It!)

New Year’s resolutions are an exciting tradition, filled with optimism and the promise of a fresh start. However, many of us fall short of achieving them. Why is that? It’s not because our goals are inherently flawed or lack ambition. In fact, many people set SMART goals—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. But even with these thoughtfully crafted goals, there’s one crucial step that most people miss.

This overlooked step is inspired by Patrick Bet-David, an author and entrepreneur who outlines this concept in his book, Your Next Five Moves. The idea is not just to set goals but to create a clear roadmap to achieve them—bridging the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. Let’s dive into this strategy and how it can transform your approach to goal setting.

The Missing Piece: Bridging the Gap Between Vision and Strategy

Most people are either shortsighted, focusing only on immediate tasks, or longsighted, envisioning grand outcomes without actionable steps. To achieve your New Year’s resolutions—or any goal—you need to bridge that gap. This involves starting with your desired outcome and working backward to identify the steps required to get there.

Patrick Bet-David’s approach revolves around the concept of identifying your next five moves. This strategy can be applied to business goals, personal growth, career development, and more. The principle is simple:

1. Define your ultimate goal.

2. Work backward to identify the five key steps (or moves) needed to achieve it.

3. Take intentional action starting from step one.

How to Create Your Five Moves

To break this down, let’s say your New Year’s resolution is to launch an online business that generates seven figures in annual revenue. Here’s how you might apply the five-move strategy:

Step 5: Scaling Your Business from Six to Seven Figures

This step involves optimizing and scaling. Focus on strategies like expanding your product line, increasing customer retention, and implementing advanced marketing techniques. You might also consider partnerships or investments to accelerate growth.

Step 4: Growing from Five to Six Figures

At this stage, concentrate on refining your processes. Build a loyal customer base, optimize your pricing model, and reinvest profits into marketing and infrastructure.

Step 3: Automating Sales and Marketing

Automation is critical for scaling. Develop marketing funnels, implement a CRM system, and set up email sequences that nurture leads and convert them into customers consistently.

Step 2: Launching Your Product

This is where your business officially begins. Create a launch strategy that includes marketing campaigns, social media promotions, and pre-launch buzz to attract your target audience.

Step 1: Creating Your Product

The foundation of your business starts here. Identify your target audience’s pain points, develop a product that solves their problems, and test it to ensure it meets their needs.

Step 0: Where You Are Now

This is your starting point. Use this time to define your vision, set clear objectives, and prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for the journey ahead.

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More Real-Life Examples of the Five-Move Strategy

To illustrate the effectiveness of this approach, let’s explore a few real-life examples:

Example 1: Career Advancement

• Ultimate Goal: Become a senior manager within five years.

• Step 5: Build a strong network and seek mentorship from senior leaders.

• Step 4: Lead high-impact projects to demonstrate leadership skills.

• Step 3: Acquire relevant certifications or advanced education.

• Step 2: Take on additional responsibilities in your current role.

• Step 1: Set clear performance goals and exceed expectations.

Example 2: Personal Fitness

• Ultimate Goal: Run a marathon within a year.

• Step 5: Complete a 20-mile training run.

• Step 4: Gradually increase weekly mileage.

• Step 3: Follow a structured training plan.

• Step 2: Build a base level of fitness with consistent running.

• Step 1: Invest in proper running gear and set a training schedule.

Why Working Backward is Powerful

When you start with your end goal and work backward, you’re forced to think critically and strategically. It helps you:

• Clarify Your Vision: You’re not just dreaming of success; you’re mapping out how to achieve it.

• Identify Gaps: By working backward, you can pinpoint missing resources, skills, or connections needed to achieve your goal.

• Stay Focused: Each step serves as a milestone, keeping you motivated and on track.

Practical Tips for Success

1. THINK BIG: You have your entire life to dream, so why not dream big? No one will remember the 17 failed businesses that came before you built your billion-dollar empire. What they’ll remember is the success you achieved because you dared to go all in.

2. Break Steps into Smaller Tasks: Each move can be further divided into actionable tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

3. Talk to a Big Picture Thinker: If higher-level steps feel abstract, consult someone who excels at strategic thinking.

4. Be Realistic: Set achievable steps and timelines to maintain momentum.

5. Adapt as Needed: Goals and circumstances can change. Regularly revisit your five moves to ensure they’re still aligned with your vision.

6. Celebrate Milestones: Recognize and celebrate progress to stay motivated.

Apply This Strategy Beyond Resolutions

This framework isn’t limited to New Year’s resolutions. It’s equally effective for business planning, personal development, and career advancement. For example:

• Business Goals: Use the five-move strategy to scale a startup, enter new markets, or increase profitability.

• Career Development: Identify steps to land your dream job or transition to a new industry.

• Personal Growth: Work backward from a goal like running a marathon or learning a new skill.

The Psychology Behind Goal Achievement

To fully understand why this method is effective, it’s essential to explore the psychology of goal setting. Studies show that setting clear, actionable steps significantly increases the likelihood of success. This is because the human brain craves structure and clarity. When you break a large goal into smaller, manageable steps, you reduce overwhelm and build momentum.

Additionally, the act of working backward from your desired outcome forces you to think long-term while also focusing on immediate actions. This dual perspective helps bridge the gap between vision and execution, making it easier to stay committed to your goals.

Overcoming Common Obstacles

Even with a clear roadmap, challenges will arise. Here’s how to navigate some common obstacles:

Procrastination

Procrastination is often a result of feeling overwhelmed. By breaking your five moves into smaller tasks, you can reduce the mental barrier to getting started. Focus on completing one task at a time and celebrate small wins to build momentum.

Lack of Motivation

Motivation can wane over time, especially when progress feels slow. To stay motivated, revisit your ultimate goal regularly and remind yourself why it matters. Visualize the outcome and the impact it will have on your life.

Fear of Failure

Fear of failure can paralyze you, preventing you from taking action. Remember that failure is a natural part of the process. Each setback is an opportunity to learn and grow. Focus on progress, not perfection.

Limited Resources

If you lack the resources to achieve your goal, get creative. Leverage free or low-cost tools, seek mentorship, and collaborate with others who can help you fill gaps in your knowledge or skills.

Tools and Resources to Support Your Journey

There are many tools and resources available to help you implement the five-move strategy effectively:

• Goal-Setting Apps: Tools like Trello, Asana, and Notion can help you organize and track your progress.

• Books: In addition to Your Next Five Moves, consider reading Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin and Principles by Ray Dalio.

• Workshops and Webinars: Attend events focused on goal setting and personal development.

• Accountability Partners: Partner with a friend, colleague, or mentor to stay accountable.

Take Action Today

To start implementing this strategy, grab a pen and paper or open a notes app. Write down your ultimate goal and work backward to identify your next five moves. If you’re unsure about the higher-level steps, don’t hesitate to seek advice from mentors or experts in your field.

Remember, achieving your resolutions isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being intentional. By focusing on your next five moves, you’ll not only set yourself up for success but also create a clear path to follow throughout the year.

If you’re interested in more strategies like this, subscribe to my email newsletter for weekly tips and insights to help you succeed in business and life.

Let’s make this the year you achieve your goals—one step at a time!