Have you ever felt on the verge of something great but ended up stuck in the same place? You’ve got a list. Goals scribbled on scraps of paper or typed in a note on your phone.
You tell yourself you’ll hit them all—soon. But days slip into weeks, and you’re still standing still, right where you started. Why?
We watch these so-called productivity gurus. They seem like they’ve hacked life. They don’t finish a novel in one day. They’re not painting masterpieces in a week. Yet, somehow, they’re knocking out goals left and right, or so it seems.
Here’s the kicker: many of them exaggerate. And we, the bystanders, fall into the trap of trying to do it all at once.
So Where Do We Go Wrong?
It’s often observed that those who pursue their goals one at a time have better chances of achieving them than those with a laundry list of goals. The latter drop by the wayside too soon, they say. However, I don’t feel that is entirely correct.
I am going out on a limb here: most people have several goals they want to hit every year. But we stumble when it comes to figuring out how.
A majority of the population gets caught in the dirty middle when it comes to prioritizing their goals.
The Solution? Two Roads to Take
I think there is no definitive solution. You can choose either of the two routes:
- the Atomic Habits route or
- the Mastery Route.
Of course, I named the two approaches after two eponymous books.
1. The Atomic Habits Route
Named after James Clear’s book, this approach is about small, daily progress. You start with all your goals. Every day, you hit one, no matter how big or small the goal is. The idea is to get a start on all your goals on a daily basis. This in turn would motivate you to return the next day.
I’m walking this path right now. At any given moment, I’m working on 15 goals—from writing 500 words a day to mastering advanced Excel. Every single day, I make sure to move the needle on most of them. It sounds great, right? You feel like you’re getting ahead. But here’s where things unravel.
When you fail to hit your targets, it becomes overwhelming. One missed goal turns into three, and soon enough, you’re skipping days altogether.
You start cherry-picking the easy tasks, avoiding the real work. I don’t know what sets off this chain reaction, but we’ve all been there, haven’t we?
Action Tip: Don’t aim for 100% perfection. Hit 75% of your goals daily. The ones you miss today? Make them a priority tomorrow. This way, nothing slips through the cracks. This way, nothing slips through the cracks. Tools like a daily planner or a habit-tracking app can help keep you accountable.
2. The Mastery Path
The second route? It’s the Mastery path, à la Robert Greene. This is where you don’t hustle, rather patience becomes your biggest virtue. You zero in on one goal. One focus. That’s it.
Want to lose 10 kg in three months? Forget everything else. Every waking hour is dedicated to that single objective.
You learn to stay laser-focused on one goal.
The beauty of this approach is in the depth of commitment. You study, learn, and refine until you’ve mastered the task at hand. But there’s a dark side—stagnation.
It’s a gamble. Put all your eggs in one basket, and if you fail, the disappointment stings. Hard. But the potential reward? Massive.
Think of athletes, entrepreneurs, or artists who dedicate years to one goal and finally achieve it. That kind of singular dedication can pay off in ways the inch-by-inch approach never could.
Action Tip: Take this route when you have one massive, life-altering goal. It’s risky, but the payoff could change your life. Focus, go deep, and don’t give up. Use tools like deep work blocks or focus techniques to avoid distraction and keep yourself on the path.
Why Most People End Up Doing Nothing
It’s easy to dream. We’re ambitious. We want to be fit, productive, creative, and successful—all at once. But when the day’s done, most people are too overwhelmed by the size of their dreams to act.
And that’s why many end up doing nothing. Not because they’re lazy or lack discipline. But because they’re caught in a web of too many dreams, too many tasks, too little time.
You might think of yourself as a dreamer, someone who’s on the verge of greatness. But if you don’t start, you’ll never know.
Which Path Works for You?
The choice is yours. If you love the idea of juggling many small wins, go for the Atomic Habits route. It keeps you busy, and makes you feel accomplished. But be careful. The illusion of progress can be dangerous.
For life-changing goals, the Mastery route is your friend. But understand—it’s all or nothing. If you fail, you’ll feel it.
The Final Word
Whatever you choose, do something. Movement beats stagnation. You’ll never achieve anything by standing still. Stop waiting for the perfect moment. It won’t come.
Pick a path. Start today. And make sure you move—because in the end, the only real failure is inaction.
So, which path resonates with you? Tell me below. Let’s get the conversation started.
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