Hello my friend,

Stop Setting Goals!

Do THIS Instead to Guarantee Success in 2026

Welcome to a masterclass on transformation. In this deep-dive newsletter, we’re breaking down the core principles on how to move beyond fleeting New Year’s resolutions and into a life of sustained, purpose-driven success.

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🎯 1. The Power of “Targets” Over “Goals”

Most people set goals and fail because goals are often outside of our direct control. I suggest a linguistic and mental shift: Focus on Targets.

• Clarity is King: There is a direct relationship between the level of clarity you have about who you are and what you accomplish. Successful people invest the time to design a detailed blueprint for their lives.
• Direction Over Speed: It doesn’t matter how fast you’re moving if you’re headed the wrong way. A target gives you an aim; your daily actions are what you control to hit it.

🛠️ 2. Building Unshakable Confidence

Confidence isn’t a feeling you wait for; it’s something you build through “receipts.”

• Self-Trust: Confidence literally means “intense trust in oneself.” You build this by keeping the small promises you make to yourself every single day.
• Evidence-Based Growth: Genuine confidence is built on evidence. When you do what you say you’re going to do, you create the foundation for greatness.

🧬 3. Identity and Value Alignment

Your identity is your “repeated beingness.” It’s not your job or your output; it’s the values you represent.

• The Stress Test: If you are experiencing stress, ask yourself: “In what way am I compromising my innermost values in this situation?”.
• The “Obituary” Exercise: To find your core values, write your own obituary. What qualities do you want to be remembered for? Honesty? Zest? Consistency? Resilience?

🔥 4. Finding Your Massive Transformative Purpose (MTP)

I introduce the concept of the MTP—a North Star that provides limitless fuel for your journey.

How to find your MTP:

1. Identify Challenges: List 10-15 global challenges (e.g., mental health, poverty).
2. Be Specific: Choose one and narrow it down.
3. Link to Passion: Tie that challenge to your curiosities.
4. Craft the Sentence: Your MTP should be one ambitious sentence (e.g., Mine is “To end mental suffering”).

🔄 5. Systems vs. Goals

This is the “secret sauce.” If you want to lose 20 lbs., the weight loss is the goal, but eating right is the system.

• Win Every Day: When you focus on the goal, you are “losing” until you reach it. When you focus on the system, you “win” every time you execute the process.
• Endlessly Evolving Process: Life is a flowing process. Fall in love with the evolution rather than obsessing over the outcome.

📈 6. The “Well, Better, How” Reflection

To ensure you stay on track, use this three-question framework daily or weekly:

1. Well: What went well/was awesome?
2. Better: What one or two things need work?
3. How: What specific action steps will I take to improve?

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💡 Final Thought: Choose Your Hard

Persisting until you succeed is self-discipline in action. There is a price to pay for both action and inaction. Choose your hard. Decide today to stop wishing and start doing.

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QUOTE FOR YOU

“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how”.

QUESTION FOR YOU

"Identify one major 'Outcome Goal' you have for this year. Now, 'word-glue' it to a system. What is one non-negotiable daily action that is 100% in your control that makes that outcome more likely?

JOURNAL PROMPT FOR YOU

"Confidence is built on evidence. Write down three 'small promises' you can make—and realistically keep—to yourself over the next 7 days.

​ARTICLE FOR YOU​

SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY

I do a podcast called Something for Everybody, listen here.​

This week’s upcoming episodes:

Tuesday - 1/20 - Rob Kancler

Friday - 1/23 - Self-Image 101

Lots of love,

Aaron

Shop my clothing brand here​

PS Drop a review on Spotify or Apple.​

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