Overcoming Goalnesia: How to Remember and Achieve Your Goals
Have you ever set a goal, full of enthusiasm, only to completely forget about it later?
You’re not alone.
This phenomenon, called Goalnesia (goal + amnesia), is more common than you think. Whether it’s a business goal, a personal ambition, or a simple task, we often find ourselves stuck, unable to make progress on our most meaningful work—our Great Work.
The good news? Goalnesia isn’t a character flaw. It’s a sign that something deeper is going on—usually a mix of mindset drama and productivity issues.
In this blog, we’ll explore six essential questions to ask yourself when you’re struggling with Goalnesia and provide practical strategies to move forward—including how to use the Great Work Journal to stay on track.
Get this handy guide to take you through these six essential questions!
1. Do You Really Want to Do This?
One of the most powerful time management tools isn’t a new planner—it’s self-expertise.
To conquer your mindset, you need to know your own mind!
Ask yourself:
Do I genuinely want to do this, or do I just think I should?
Is this truly part of my Great Work, or is it just another distraction?
💡 Pro Tip #1:
If your goal is based on external pressure (e.g., "I should write a book because everyone says I need one"), reconsider it. Your time is too limited to do things you don’t want to just because other people think it’s a good idea. Plus, you’re way more likely to succeed when your motivation is intrinsic; that is, personal and meaningful.
2. Are You Trying to Do Too Much?
Feeling overwhelmed? That’s a classic sign of Goalnesia.
Sometimes, we fail to act on our Great Work simply because our mental and physical bandwidth is maxed out.
✨ Signs You’re Overloaded:
Your to-do list never seems to shrink.
You’re constantly switching between tasks but not finishing anything.
You feel drained before you even start.
💡 Pro Tip #1:
Try the Three-Goal Strategy from the Great Work Journal:
Stretch Goal: Your biggest, most exciting goal. (You only get one!)
Support Goal: Often a process goal that will make the stretch goal easier.
Sanity Goal: A personal well-being goal (e.g., better sleep, exercise).
If your goal doesn’t fit these three, consider letting it go or sticking it in the parking lot to revisit when setting your next 90-day goals.
💡 Pro Tip #2:
Use the "Hell Yes or No" Rule—if a goal doesn’t make you say “Hell Yes!”, it’s a no (at least for now).
3. Do You Know How to Start?
Many people get stuck because their Great Work feels too big or too vague. It helps to break your goal down into tasks for the week and to-do's for the day. Remember the upside-down triangle?
For example, instead of saying, “I want to write a book,” break it down:
🔹 How to Break a Goal Into Tasks:
Instead of "Write a book," → "Research book outlines this week."
Instead of "Launch a course," → "Write three topic ideas and ask my audience for feedback."
Instead of "Redesign my website," → "Find three website designs I like and list why."
💡 Pro Tip #1:
If a goal feels too big, make the first step ridiculously small. You don’t have to write a whole book today—just outline a chapter.
💡 Pro Tip #2:
Use the “Five-Minute Rule”—if a task feels overwhelming, commit to doing it for just five minutes. Once you start, you’ll often want to keep going.
4. Are You Afraid of Failure (or Success)?
Fear is a sneaky goal killer. Sometimes we fear failure ("What if I mess up?"), while other times, we fear success ("What if this works and I can’t keep up?").
Overcoming Fear-Based Goalnesia:
If you fear failure → Adopt an MVP mindset (Minimum Viable Product). Expect to do it badly at first. Just start.
If you fear success → Set boundaries. Success doesn’t have to mean burnout.
💡 Pro Tip #1:
Expect to do it badly. It’s much easier to have an awkward sales call or write a sub-standard article when you are expecting it! Once you’ve done it badly, you have the chance to fix it, ask for help, and improve your skills. If you wait to be good before you begin, you’ll be waiting forever.
💡 Pro Tip #2:
Visualize the “worst-case scenario”—ask yourself, “What’s the absolute worst that could happen if I fail?” Often, the answer is far less scary than your fear makes it seem.
5. Are You Worried About What Others Will Think?
Many people struggle with Goalnesia because their goals clash with their identity or the expectations of others.
💡 Pro Tip #1:
Ask yourself: Am I avoiding this goal because I don’t want to do it or because I’m afraid of how others will react? If it’s the latter, give yourself permission to pursue what’s best for you. I’ve found that doing your Great Work feels so good that other people’s reactions are less impactful than we fear. Also, people get over themselves pretty quickly- give them that chance.
💡 Pro Tip #2:
Resolve the competing commitment about your identity. A competing commitment is when you want to do something but also hold a belief that stops you from doing it. It creates an annoying feedback loop in your brain that goes around and around.
For example, you might say, “I want to sell my coaching services, but I don’t want to be a pushy salesperson, but I want to sell my coaching, but I don’t want to be '“that guy”. And around and around you go.
You have to interrupt this pattern by first acknowledging and then resolving the competing commitment. In this case, you need to make peace with the idea that you can be a great sales person without being pushy, smarmy, or inauthentic. Heart-centered sales is a real thing!
And once that is resolved, you can return to the prior tip and get busy doing sales badly (at first). Win!
6. Do You Have a System to Stay on Track?
Even after resolving the mindset blocks, you need a practical system to stay aligned with your Great Work.
🔥 Simple Goal-Tracking Method from the Great Work Journal:
Set 90-Day Goals: Only focus on three major goals at a time.
Weekly Check-ins: Every week, revisit your goals and set 3-5 small tasks.
Daily Actions: Each day, pick three actions that move you forward.
Using a time management system, like the Great Work Journal, helps prevent Goalnesia by keeping your focus sharp and your Great Work front and center.
💡 Pro Tip #1:
Set accountability checkpoints. Tell a friend, mentor, or coach your goal and ask them to check in on your progress.
💡 Pro Tip #2:
Use the “Two-Minute Rule”—if a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. This keeps small tasks from piling up and creating mental clutter.
Final Thoughts: The Cure for Goalnesia
The best way to overcome Goalnesia isn’t through sheer willpower—it’s through clarity, focus, and self-awareness. When you ask yourself these six questions, you uncover the hidden roadblocks keeping you stuck.
Ready to take action? Sign Up below to grab your guide and journal your way through the questions.
Then, grab your Great Work Journal and get busy taking action. You’ll be shocked by how much easier your progress will feel.
