David Goggins On Goal Setting

David Goggins is known for being a retired Navy SEAL, ultra-endurance athlete, motivational speaker, and author. You can’t hold that many hats without being an expert in goal setting.

In this article we are going to take a deep dive into how David Goggins sets his goals and how he has achieved so much success in life.

Motivation Is Temporary

“What do you think most people get wrong about motivation? They think it’s a permanent fix…nothing is permanent…You have to learn to perform without motivation.”

-David Goggins

David understands that motivation is temporary. You’re not always going to have it to get the job done.

You have to train your mind to do things you don’t want to do regardless of whether or not you feel motivated.

How to Increase Discipline

1. Set Clear Goals: Have a clear and precise goal in mind. The more specific your goal, the easier it will be to stay disciplined in pursuing it.
2. Break Down Goals into Manageable Tasks: Large goals can be overwhelming. Break them down into smaller, achievable tasks to make them more manageable.
3. Create a Routine: Establishing a daily routine can help you to incorporate tasks that bring you closer to your goals. Consistency is key in building discipline.
4. Practice Delayed Gratification: Resist the urge for an immediate reward in favor of a more valuable reward in the future. This practice enhances self-control and discipline.
5. Limit Distractions: Identify and limit distractions in your environment. The fewer distractions you have, the more focused and disciplined you will be.
6. Prioritize Tasks: Not all tasks are equally important. Prioritize them based on their relevance to your goals.
7. Exercise Regularly: Physical exercise not only improves health but also promotes discipline and self-control. Make it a part of your daily routine.
8. Healthy Diet: Eating a balanced diet is essential for maintaining physical health and mental wellbeing, which are crucial for discipline.
9. Mindfulness and Meditation: Regular mindfulness and meditation can help clear your mind, reduce stress, and improve focus, thereby helping to enhance discipline.
10. Accountability: Hold yourself accountable for your actions and decisions. Accepting responsibility increases self-discipline.
11. Get Adequate Sleep: Proper rest is vital for maintaining discipline. A well-rested mind and body can focus better and remain disciplined towards achieving set goals.
12. Celebrate Small Wins: Recognize and celebrate small achievements along your journey. This practice helps to maintain a positive attitude and fosters discipline.

Embracing Fear in Goal Setting

“He was like, ‘Hey Goggins, why am I not getting better? I’m a big time goal setter. I run half Ironmans. I run half marathons. I go for that new promotion at work. Why am I not getting better?’ I asked him a question, ‘Do you have fear of not reaching those goals?’ He said no. That’s a problem. They’re setting goals you know you can reach, and when you do that, that fear, that insecurity, that’s where you grow. He’s not getting that. You must always set goals you think you cannot achieve, and then there, you get better. Stay hard.”

-David Goggins

Goggins within this highlights the concept of ‘stretch goals’ which are goals that are slightly out of reach. This will help you to push yourself to achieve even more than you thought possible.

If you pay attention to the highest performers ever, there’s always a stretch goal in mind.

1. Gary Vee wants to buy the Jets.
2. Lebron James wants to be the goat.

Both of these goals are goal they both may never achieve, however, it pushes them to their absolute limits.

Work Ethic

“I have a brutal work ethic. You don’t need to have this humongous GPA and all this other stuff. What you need is the one thing I talked about in my book, which is straight-up brutal work ethic. You have to be willing to outwork everybody in the world. That’s the hard part…”

-David Goggins

Deep down, you know when you’re working hard. That’s something David understands.

It’s ok to focus on adding skills and knowledge to get ahead in life, but if you don’t have the work ethic and drive to put those skills into action, then they won’t do you any good.

You have to focus on outworking all of your peers and colleagues if you want to be successful and succeed at your goals.

You Must Practice Self Reflection

One Goggins quote that stands out to me is, “We’re either getting better or we’re getting worse.” This quote speaks to the importance of self reflection.

If you constantly practice self-reflection you’ll have a better understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses. You’ll also be able to demonstrate greater resilience in the face of challenges, which gives you a better chance to achieve your goals.

Here are some ways you could self reflect at the end of the day:

1. Journaling: Writing your thoughts and feelings down is a proven method of self-reflection. It allows you to express your experiences, emotions, and ideas freely. Reflect on your day, what you learned, what you could have done differently, and what you’re grateful for.
2. Meditation and Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness allows you to focus on your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Meditation can help you achieve this state of mindfulness and concentrate on your inner self.
3. Self-Reflection Questions: Ask yourself questions about your experiences. For example, what did I do well today? What could I improve? What did I learn? How does this align with my broader goals?
4. Feedback from Others: While self-reflection is inherently a personal process, insights from others can also be valuable. Consider seeking constructive feedback from friends, family, or mentors to gain a broader perspective on your behaviors and attitudes.

You Can Achieve Your Goals No Matter Where You Come From

“We all have the ability to come from nothing to something.”

-David Goggins

The last quote we want to emphasise from David Goggins is that no matter where you come from, you could achieve your dreams.

Goggins had an abusive father. Learning disabilities. Was bullied. Barely graduated high school. Was overweight while trying to join the Navy SEALs.

Despite all of these obstacles, Goggins was able to achieve his goals by having a clear vision and working hard for it.

He himself is a prime example of how you can achieve whatever goals you set for yourself, no matter where you come from or what challenges you face in life.