More often than not, especially under stress or when faced with ambiguity, the stories we default to are negative. We assume incompetence before seeking clarification, suspect ill-intent before considering alternative explanations, and attribute behavior to character flaws rather than situational factors.

Struggling to hire staff? You’re not alone!

We’ve all been there. You set a goal with the best of intentions—perhaps to exercise regularly, eat healthier, or finally finish that passion project. But despite your motivation and initial enthusiasm, somewhere along the way, progress stalls. You hit a roadblock, life gets busy, or the goal starts to feel less attainable than when you first dreamed it up. It’s a frustrating cycle, leaving many people feeling disheartened and questioning their ability to achieve their dreams. 

The emotional weight of repeated failure can be overwhelming, leading to a cycle of disappointment and even self-doubt. This is where understanding the deeper reasons behind goal-setting challenges can make all the difference. Why do so many people struggle to stick to their goals? And what can be done to change this pattern?

One simple distinction made all the difference.