Using Harvard’s approach to goal setting to boost your success rate.

Have you ever felt like you’re missing your mark? Have you ever wondered why? Part of the problem may lie in your system—or the lack of one. Research consistently shows that one of the most effective ways to close the gap between intention and outcome is to use structured, evidence-based methods.

One of the most well-known approaches draws from Harvard’s work on effective goal setting, often referred to as the “Harvard goal-setting technique. The  “Harvard goal-setting technique” isn’t a single method at all, but a practical, proven 3 framework that blends the precision of SMART goals with the power of writing your intentions down and mapping out a clear, flexible plan. At its core, it’s about defining what you want with sharp clarity, anchoring it in intrinsic motivation, and building a roadmap with meaningful milestones so progress is both measurable and doable.

Why we struggle with goals.

Before diving into the framework, it’s important to acknowledge why most people struggle with goals in the first place. Research shows that roughly 92% of people fail to achieve their goals, leaving only 8% who follow through. Why such a stark gap? Avoidance and resistance play major roles, along with the simple reality that most goals are set without a system or plan that includes actionable steps. Many people hold back because they fear failing, doubt their abilities, or worry that change will disrupt the comfort of their current routine. Others feel overwhelmed by the process, don’t know how to set effective goals, crave instant gratification, or quietly question whether they’re worthy of the outcome they want. Understanding these barriers is the first step toward overcoming them—and toward setting goals that actually work.

As a former member of the 92%, and after learning how to acknowledge and move through my own resistance, I can tell you firsthand that this system changed everything for me. I’ve used it for more than a decade, paired with the 4 Disciplines of Execution for action and accountability, and it’s become one of the most reliable tools I use in both my work and my life. I use it with my clients, and it’s helped my family reach our goals consistently as well. I recommend it to everyone I know because it works. Truly. It’s one of those rare systems that, once you commit to it, transforms your results in ways you can both feel and measure—and the best part is that it’s universal.

So without further ado, here’s how to put the “Harvard goal-setting framework” into practice:

1. Write your goals down.

Studies in goal-setting psychology consistently find that people who write their goals down are more likely to take action and achieve them. Putting goals into writing transforms vague intentions into concrete plans, making them far easier to track and accomplish.

2. Use the SMART framework to add clarity and structure.

• Specific: Define exactly what you want.

• Measurable: Identify how you’ll track progress.

• Achievable: Make the goal ambitious but realistic.

• Relevant: Align it with your larger vision and priorities.

• Time-bound: Set a deadline to create urgency and momentum.

  
  

3. Break big goals into smaller steps.

Chunking large, intimidating goals into manageable milestones prevents overwhelm and builds confidence through early wins.

4. Anchor your goals in intrinsic motivation.

Choose goals that matter to you—not goals motivated by pressure, expectation, or comparison. Internal drive sustains effort when discipline fades.

5. Choose goals that stretch you.

Challenging goals increase engagement and growth by pushing you slightly beyond your comfort zone.

6. Frame goals positively.

Focus on what you want to create or achieve, not what you’re trying to avoid.

7. Stay flexible.

Good goals evolve. Adjust as you learn, get feedback, and encounter new information.

8. Ensure your goals work together, not against each other.

Aim for harmony across work, health, relationships, and personal growth so progress in one area doesn’t sabotage another.

Once you’ve written your goals using the framework, pause before finalizing them. Run them back through the same criteria as a quick quality check to make sure each one is specific, measurable, and aligned with what you truly want.

When you combine clarity, structure, and genuine personal meaning, your goals stop operating as vague intentions and start functioning as measurable commitments. This framework gives you both the architecture and the evidence you need to shift from hoping to achieving. The moment you choose a system, you move away from relying on willpower and start relying on design— and that’s the inflection point where everything changes.

Interested in learning more? Visit www.jennymakeithappen.com. Message me here, email jenny@jennymakeithappen.com, or text (856) 220-4068 to schedule a complimentary consultation and explore how we can design effective change management strategies tailored to align with your goals.

I help entrepreneurs, executives, professionals, and athletes turn pressure into performance, chaos into clarity, ideas into action, and action into momentum by utilizing neuroscience-based tools and Socratic questioning to cultivate focus, neural efficiency, cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation, and unwavering presence.