Goal Setting vs. Standards: The Key to Long-Term Success

Most people set great goals for themselves. They experience a surge of motivation, get excited about their vision, and commit to making it happen. They might even write their goal down and establish a timeline for achieving it. While this is a solid start, if they stop there, they will likely fall short once that initial motivation fades.

Instead of relying solely on motivation, I encourage you to take an extra step: define the daily actions required to reach your goal. Ask yourself, What does the person who has already achieved this goal do daily?

For example, if your goal is to build muscle, think about the habits of someone who has successfully done so. They likely:

- Go to the gym consistently and lift heavy weights.

- Track their daily caloric intake and protein consumption.

- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

- Prioritize sleep over late-night Netflix binges.

Once you’ve identified these daily actions, shift your focus from the goal itself to executing these habits consistently. When you commit to the process, the results will follow. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by how far you are from your goal, you now have a clear, actionable roadmap.

At Axis Strength Training, this is the method we use to help our clients succeed. We emphasize setting daily standards and actions rather than fixating on the goal alone. By doing this, progress becomes a natural byproduct of your daily efforts.

The next time you set a goal, write it down, establish a deadline, and then direct your energy toward the daily actions required to achieve it. This approach keeps you from constantly comparing your present self to your future aspirations. Instead, you’ll build momentum through consistent effort.

It all starts with your standards. Set them high, take action, and trust the process. I’m rooting for you!

Jason

axisstrengthtraining.com