Goals Are Like New Year’s Resolutions
Read on to learn what actually drives success.
Goals are pointless.
There. I said it.
Way too often, we get wrapped up in a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) and one of two things happens:
- A) We get discouraged because it feels impossibly far away, or
- B) We hit the goal… and then stop doing the things that got us there.
And suddenly, we’re right back where we started.
Goals Aren’t the Problem—Habits Are the Solution
Don’t get me wrong—goals can be great.
But only when they’re paired with the right habits.
Because goals don’t create results.
Habits do.
And once the habits are in place, that’s when you double down and aim for even bigger, crazier goals.
This applies everywhere:
- your law firm
- your health
- reading more
- being more patient
- literally anything involving the dreaded “g-word”
If you don’t have a day-to-day game plan, the goal is just a wish.
A Real Example (Because Theory Is Boring)
I’ve struggled with my weight for… probably forever.
Every so often, I’d set a goal:
- lose 20 pounds
- lose 30 pounds
- hit a specific number on the scale
Sometimes I got there. Sometimes I didn’t.
But last year, I stopped focusing on the number and started focusing on three habits:
- Walk 10,000 steps every day
- Lift weights (or use resistance bands when traveling) 3 times a week
- Follow a modified Weight Watchers program
And guess what?
I lost 30 pounds.
And the only time I gained some of it back?
When I stopped following the habits—every single time (usually habit #3).
Now Let’s Talk About Law Firm Goals
When law firm owners sit down to set goals, there’s one that shows up more than any other.
Ready for it?
“I want to be a $1,000,000 firm.”
And sure—that sounds great.
But honestly?
I don’t really care how much your firm brings in.
I care about how much you actually make.
It’s relatively easy to spend $1 to bring in $1.
It’s much harder—and far more meaningful—to spend that same $1 and bring in $5, $10, or $100 profitably.
Revenue without margin is just stress with better branding.
Focus on What You Can Actually Control
Here’s the hard truth:
You can’t make the phone ring.
You can’t force someone to hire you.
But you can control your habits.
You can:
- Have lunch twice a week with referral sources
- Host one live show each week
- Post three times a week on social media
- Call 10 prior clients a month just to check in
Those are controllable. Repeatable. Powerful.
Get the habits right, and success becomes a matter of time, not luck.
A Final Thought
I truly hope last year was the best year of your life.
And if it wasn’t?
Look at what you are willing to do differently to get different results.
When you’re the cause of your problems, you’re also the solution.
- Cut the underperforming employee
- Drop the awful marketing campaign
- Stop taking cases that drain your time and make no money
- Start leaving work by 5 PM to be with the people who matter
You can do this.
I believe in you.
We can all be happy and successful—on purpose.
Filed under: Leadership & Mindset