Why You Keep Moving the Goalposts (and how to STOP)

Ever feel like you’re always chasing success but never quite catching it? It’s like the weight of your own potential is pressing down on you, making you feel like you’re constantly behind, even when you’re making progress. 

That pressure? It’s real. It’s heavy. And most of all, it’s exhausting.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve got big dreams, big plans, and the drive to make them happen. You’ve probably heard it your whole life: “You have so much potential.” And you’ve embraced it, turning it into ambition, hustle, and ridiculously high expectations. 

But what no one tells you is that being driven by potential can feel more like a burden than a blessing.

The Endless Chase for Validation

Here’s the thing: The pressure of potential is always whispering that you should be doing more, achieving more, and aiming higher. It convinces you that if you’re getting close to your goal, then the goal itself must not be ambitious enough. So, you push it further away. Because anything worth having should be hard to achieve, right?

I know this cycle all too well. When I first started freelancing three years ago, $2,000 a month felt like an impossible dream. But I mapped out a plan, worked hard, and pushed myself until I hit $1,300. Instead of celebrating, I immediately upped the goal to $5,000. And then, when I reached $4,200, I moved the goal again. Because clearly, if I was that close, I wasn’t aiming high enough. And so it went.

Every time I got near the finish line, I shifted it further away. The truth is, I was confusing potential with perfection. I thought the only way to prove my potential was to constantly chase the next level. The pressure of potential was always there, telling me that if something felt within reach, I was playing it safe. And so, the goalposts kept moving.

It’s a vicious cycle. 

The REAL Danger You’re Facing

And the worst part? The more you keep moving the goalposts, the more you convince yourself that ‘success’ is a place you’ll never quite get to. It’s a mirage you’re chasing across the desert, and you’re always thirsty for more. It’s draining. 

The danger is that if you don’t define what success looks like and actually give yourself permission to arrive there, you’ll spend your entire journey feeling like you’re falling short. 

The whole point of having big goals in the first place is to create a better life, not one that constantly leaves you feeling like you’re failing

The Win You’re Really After

But here’s what you (and I) need to understand: The real win isn’t just about the revenue numbers, the clients you land, or the followers you gain. It’s about the transformation you undergo in the process. Achieving a goal doesn’t just give you a tangible reward, it changes who you are.

When you’re so busy chasing more, you never allow yourself to become the person who’s earned that success. You keep putting off your own growth, your own arrival. It’s like you’re constantly postponing your right to feel accomplished, worthy, and satisfied.

Imagine for a moment what it would feel like to finally step into the life you’ve been working so hard to build. To feel peace instead of pressure. To celebrate progress instead of constantly chasing more. That’s the transformation you’re denying yourself by always moving the goalposts. There’s nothing wrong with planting your flag at the top of the mountain only to see another one you want to climb. Just take a minute to enjoy the view before you start the next ascent.

How to “Achieve Your Potential” Over and Over Again

• Define Success Clearly: Break your goals down into concrete, achievable milestones. And when you hit them, you need to celebrate! (Pointing the finger at myself right now!) I don’t care if it’s a fancy dinner, a day off, or a guilt-free afternoon binge-watching your favorite show. Just recognize the win.
• Track Your Progress: Feelings lie. Numbers don’t. Track your progress with real metrics – revenue, client numbers, hours saved. Whatever matters most to you. Celebrate every bit of progress because each step forward is worth acknowledging.
• Give Yourself Permission to Pause:Just because you hit a milestone doesn’t mean you need to immediately push for the next one. It’s okay to let things settle, to savor your progress, and to feel genuinely satisfied with how far you’ve come. The world won’t end if you take a moment to breathe.

The Weekly Challenge:

• Past: Recognize a goal you have already achieved. Look at how far you’ve come and give yourself some well-deserved credit!
• Present: What’s a goal you are on the verge of achieving? Identify it, break down the final steps you need to take, and map out the finish line. You’re closer than you think (as long as you don’t change it!).
• Future: What’s a goal that feels far off or unrealistic right now? Tell someone you trust. Sometimes, just saying what you want out loud is the first step toward making it real.

Take 15 minutes to do this right now. You’ll be amazed at how much clarity (and motivation) this simple exercise brings.

Are you ready to finally drop the weight of all that pressure and let yourself enjoy the journey? Because I am telling you, my friend, the potential you are looking to achieve? It’s already within your reach.