Simplify for Success: The Counterintuitive Secret to Achieving More

A few years ago, a Supervisor I oversaw walked into my office, clutching a sheet with 15 ambitious goals for the new year. I couldn’t help but smile and asked, “How did last year’s review go?” She admitted that only half the goals were complete and that she needed more time for the rest. This was a familiar pattern.

We all get ambitious. We set too many goals—often vague, sometimes unrealistic—and by spring, motivation fizzles. In my study of New Year’s resolutions, I found that 80% fail within the first four months, and only 9% last the entire year. Why? Too many objectives, no clear plan, or expectations that simply don’t match reality. I’d seen it in my own work: if I didn’t make real progress on a goal in the first couple of months, it usually didn’t get done at all.

So, we tried something different. Rather than sticking to 15 disconnected goals, I asked the Supervisor, “What are the two or three objectives you truly want to accomplish this year?” We focused on her ambitions, then I added one objective from my own leadership perspective. From there, we mapped out concrete step-by-step actions for each. This made progress not just possible, but likely.

Simplify. The clearer and fewer your objectives are, the more likely you are to achieve them.

If you’ve ever heard of frameworks like SMART or KISS, you know there’s no shortage of systems for goal-setting. We believe the real breakthrough comes from cutting through complexity and focusing on behavior-based objectives—tangible actions that drive results, not just intentions.

Here’s how to make objectives achievable:

1. State one clear, concise objective.
2. Pinpoint the step-by-step process that brings the objective to life.
3. Execute each step in sequence—no skipping ahead.
4. Communicate progress regularly, both in meetings and one-on-one.

Example Objective Flow:

• Objective: Add one new program this year.
• Research what’s trending or needed in your area
• Examine budget and staffing implications
• Assess space requirementsDesign a detailed plan and secure approval
• Implement the program

Push for specificity: Don’t settle for generic objectives like “professional development”—get clear about what kind, for whom, and why. The more specific your objective, the easier it is to act and measure success.

With this approach, I’ve watched colleagues earn new certifications, lead teams, run meetings, and build budgets from scratch because their goals were clear and actionable.

Your Turn

What’s your #OneBigObjective for next year? Share it in the comments!
If you or your team need help clarifying objectives for 2026, DM me—let’s work together to simplify and win.