Success Secrets from a 3 year old

New Year’s Resolutions are goals in disguise - so disguised we don’t apply the techniques that move resolutions to actions. 

I posted last week about the different types of goal setters (link to blog, LI or FB post). While many of you identified as the “all in, no matter what happens” type, many others were in the “I tried to make it work, but didn’t succeed” camp. 

So how do you move from “I tried” to “I did it”? 

Pretend you are 3 years old.

Every 3 year old knows the secret to understanding is asking “why”. And they do it unrelentingly - they ask “why”, you answer, they ask “why again, and so on. 

But more than all the goal setting success books and internet gurus, getting to the core of your personal “why” behind your goal will set you up to move into the “all in, no matter what happens” group. 

For most people, after about five times of asking “why” or “why is that important to me”, that the emotional reason behind the goal appears. The core emotional motivation to succeed will keep you going when the speed bumps of life pop up to get in your way.

Here’s an example of how it works: 

“I want to get healthier in 2026.”

Why?

“Because I want to feel better and have more energy.”

Why?

“Because I’m tired of falling asleep right after dinner.”

Why?

“Because I feel like I’m missing out on things when I don’t have the energy to do things in the evenings after work.”

Why?

“Because that is when my family is all home and awake.”

Why?

“Because I’m missing out on quality time and building relationships with my family when I fall asleep on the couch.”

Once you have your core reason, then the systems you build to support your goal work much better. The trick is finding your true motivation - and that’s where  coaching can really help. A trained coach will help you sort through the logic and excuses that cover up our emotional motivations, then help you design an action plan that works with your life, not against it, to achieve your  biggest goals.

So ask yourself “why” - and if you need someone to bounce your thoughts off of, let’s chat. Contact me here and let’s have coffee.