I recently heard the following, “What do I want.” “And are my daily behaviors supporting it.” I cannot pin point exactly where I heard it but it really resonated with me.
So much that I wrote it on a post it note and have it in my kitchen. A place I spend a lot of time daily so I’m sure to see it frequently. This is such an eye opening statement. We all have goals for our lives. But a goal is just a goal. Without action it means nothing.
Have you ever felt stuck or like you keep failing at the thing you want so badly in life? You might feel like you’re doing all the things but not getting anywhere. We have all been there. It’s frustrating. And exhausting. But what if the problem isn’t that you aren’t working hard enough? What if the problem is that your daily actions don’t actually match what you say you want? Sometimes we think it’s the big things that move the needle but really it’s the small things we do each day.
GETTING CLEAR ON WHAT YOU WANT
First, you have to know what you’re working toward. This might sound obvious, but a lot of people don’t take the time to get clear. They say things like, “I want to be healthier” or “I want more balance.” But what does that really mean?
Take a minute. Write it down. Be specific. If you want to be healthier, does that mean eating more protein? Moving your body daily? Getting better sleep? If you want more balance, does that mean setting boundaries? Cutting back on social media? Making time for hobbies?
When you know exactly what you want, it’s easier to see if your actions are leading you there.
DO YOUR DAILY ACTIONS MATCH?
This is where things get real. Look at your typical day. Be one hundred percent brutally honest with yourself. Are your habits and choices supporting your goals? If you say you want to feel stronger but skip workouts and eat whatever’s easy, you’re not aligning with that goal. If you want to be more present with your family but spend every spare second on your phone, something has to change.
The truth is, big goals don’t happen overnight. They come from small choices made over and over. You don’t need a complete life overhaul. You just need to shift your daily behaviors.
MOST PEOPLE DON’T REACH THEIR GOALS
Studies show that 92% of people who set New Year’s goals never actually achieve them. That means only 8% follow through. This highlights how common it is for people to set goals but struggle with daily actions that support them. Small, consistent habits are what set the successful 8% apart!
MAKE A SMALL SHIFT
Change doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Pick one thing today that moves you in the right direction. If your goal is to eat better, swap one processed meal for a whole food option. If you want more energy, go to bed 30 minutes earlier. If you want to feel less stressed, take five minutes to breathe and reset.
Small changes add up. They build momentum. And they show your brain that you are serious about what you want.
TAKE ACTION: YOUR DAILY CHECK-IN
Here’s a simple way to keep yourself on track. Each morning, ask yourself:
- What is one thing I will do today to make sure my actions support my goals?
- If I find myself off track, what can I do before the day ends to turn it around and make it a win?
Each evening, ask yourself:
- Did my actions today support what I want?
- If the day felt challenging, ask yourself: What’s one small shift I can make tomorrow?
- If today was a major win, take a moment to acknowledge yourself! Reflect on what made the day successful.
No guilt. No shame. Just awareness and small steps forward. When we finally start becoming aware of what might be holding us back it opens up space to make the changes we need to make to move ourselves forward.
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be intentional. Over time, tiny changes will transform your life in ways you never imagined.
If the question “What do I want? And are my daily behaviors supporting it?” resonates with you, print this quote HERE and place it somewhere you’ll see it often. This small daily reminder might be exactly what you need.
In Love, Health + Gratitude,
Katie