Part 3: The High-Capacity Trap (& Why I'm Only Setting 3 Goals This Year)
If you’ve completed the exercise of choosing your Word and Affirmation, you’re holding the anchor for an entire season of your life. That kind of clarity is a powerful foundation.
But as a high achiever and a hard charger, I have a confession to make: I am ambitious, especially when it comes to setting annual goals.
Recently, I was talking with a business coach about some follow-up actions I need to take. They were hesitant to give me too much, fearing I’d be overwhelmed. My response? "Don’t worry about that. I have a high capacity to get things done."
And that's my problem.
Throughout my career, mentors and supervisors have told me they were unable to find the upper end of my capabilities because I seemed to have a limitless supply of capacity. If you’re a high performer who constantly feels meant for more, you probably relate—we are always pushing, testing boundaries, and seeing how far we can go.
The issue is that we become so mono-focused on the "achievement" that we create a massive imbalance. We take time away from the people who need us, and we wear ourselves out because we don't stop to refresh, replenish, and recharge.
I’ve had to learn the hard way that while capacity is a wonderful thing, too much of it becomes a problem. This year, I’m giving myself permission to slow down. I am picking fewer goals so I can go deeper.
📌Step 1: Your Theme Defines Your Focus
Before you list dozens of ideas, look to your theme / word of the year to define your priorities. My word for 2026 is REACH, and every goal I set must tie back to that anchor.
Ask yourself: 👇
📌 Step 2: Choose Your "Big 3"
I am setting exactly three goals for the entire year. That’s it. They are big stretch goals, and I may not even finish all three, but they are my absolute focus. I invite you to join me in picking just three:
➡️ One for Business/Professional
➡️ One for Personal Life
➡️ One for Growth/Reinvention (to stay relevant in 2026!)
By limiting yourself to three, you give yourself permission to say "NO" to the strategically non-critical items that lead to burnout.
Once your affirmation feels true and alive to you, write it somewhere you’ll see it daily. The goal is to memorize it so you can access it easily throughout the day and truly use it to guide your decisions, behaviors, and actions.
📌 Step 3: Use Tools to bring Clarity
If you need help identifying where to spend your time and energy, I talk about this extensively in Chapter 4 of my book, Pick Your Opportunity. Additionally, you can use these free resources:
➡️ The Breakthrough Formula Generator: This is my proprietary online tool to help you identify your core strengths and areas to grow.
➡️ The Daring Breakthroughs Podcast: My podcast has interviews with smart professionals who offer a wealth of wisdom. I also cover many topics that high-achievers struggle with. Check it out here (or wherever you listen to podcasts).
This approach isn’t about doing more.
It’s about choosing better, going deeper, and building momentum without burning out.