Business By Hormozi #171: Focus on What Matters – You Don’t Need to Write Down Your Goals If They’re the Only Thing You Think About Every Hour of Every Day

David’s Journey of Clarity and Purpose

David was always told that the secret to success was setting clear, written goals. His mentors emphasized the importance of having a vision and a roadmap to guide him. So, David made it a habit to write down his goals every morning—his five-year plan, his monthly milestones, and the tasks he needed to complete that day. But despite his constant focus on these goals, something was missing.

He felt stuck. Every time he checked off a task, it was replaced by another. There was always something new to achieve, and no matter how many goals he ticked off, he never felt satisfied. It was as though the more he focused on his goals, the more distant his sense of fulfillment became.

One day, after a particularly frustrating week of constantly battling his to-do list, David had a conversation with an old colleague, Emma, who had built a successful business without obsessively writing down every goal.

“David,” Emma said with a smile, “you don’t need to write down your goals if they’re the only thing you think about every hour of every day.”

The Power of Internal Focus

At first, David was skeptical. He had always believed that success required writing down everything—clarifying every goal, breaking it into tasks, and staying focused on it. But Emma continued, explaining how focusing too much on external goal-setting could sometimes become a distraction from actually living and enjoying the process.

“You know,” Emma said, “when you think about your goals all the time, you start getting caught up in the end result. But success isn’t just about reaching the destination—it’s about how you get there. It’s about being fully present in the work, without constantly checking a list or feeling stressed about the next step.”

David realized that he had been treating his goals like a never-ending checklist rather than as part of a larger, more holistic journey. What if he could achieve success without obsessing over every little detail and instead focus on the things that truly mattered—his passions, relationships, and personal growth?

Living with Purpose, Not a Checklist

Taking Emma’s advice to heart, David shifted his approach. He stopped writing down every goal and began trusting himself to take the right actions each day. He focused on the bigger picture—enjoying the work he did and letting his actions flow naturally toward his desired outcome. His goals were still important, but instead of fixating on them, he allowed them to evolve organically.

David found that by letting go of the pressure to track every goal, he became more effective. His energy wasn’t spent worrying about checking off boxes; it was focused on creating value, solving problems, and connecting with the people who mattered most. His business began to grow faster than before, not because of obsessive planning, but because he was operating with clarity and purpose.

The Takeaway:

Let Your Goals Work for You, Not the Other Way Around

David’s story teaches us that you don’t need to write down your goals if they’re the only thing you think about every hour of every day. While it’s important to have goals, it’s even more crucial to focus on the process and trust that your goals will naturally align with your actions.

Success isn’t about constantly reminding yourself of the end result—it’s about being present and allowing your actions to flow from your deeper sense of purpose. When you stop over-planning and start truly living your goals, you’ll see progress that feels fulfilling rather than exhausting.

You don’t need to be bogged down by a to-do list that never ends. Focus on what matters most, and let your natural passion and drive guide you toward success.