Ep. 224 – Dr. Jennifer Dragonette – Why Your Goals Keep Failing

Why do most resolutions fail by mid-January?

Maybe because we're starting in the wrong place. Before we can sustain any meaningful change, we need to know why we're doing it in the first place.

Dr. Jennifer Dragonette and I dig into the difference between purpose and objectives, and why confusing the two can leave you feeling empty even when you hit your goals. We talk through George Kinder's three questions, a powerful framework that uses time horizons to cut through the noise and reveal what actually matters.

We also explore the unusual eulogy exercise, the permission trap that keeps people stuck even when they have the means to act, and why retirement may be one of the most underrated transitions you'll ever face.

This week, try writing your own eulogy or obituary. Not to be morbid, but to get clear on what you want people to say about how you lived. That clarity can become the foundation for every objective you set.

Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Jennifer Dragonnette.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES YOU MAY LIKE

1 Big Idea to Think About

• Your purpose is like the horizon. You can keep walking toward it, but you never actually reach it. Objectives are checkpoints that support your purpose, not the purpose itself. When you confuse the two, achieving your goals feels empty.

1 Way You Can Apply This

• Write your own eulogy this week. What would you want people to say about how you lived? Then look at your current goals and ask whether they support that vision or distract from it.

1 Question to Ask

• If you knew you only had five to ten years left, what would you do differently starting today?

Resources Featured in This Episode: 

Squeezing All The Juice Out Of Retirement

How to Use Emotions as Information

Are You Rich Yet? Why Families Still Struggle to Feel Wealthy