Set pacts, not goals

I learned about this concept from this amazing book!

I know I talk a lot about goals—but honestly, they can be a little overrated. Studies show that only 20–30% of people actually achieve the goals they set for themselves. Yikes. But that doesn’t mean you should give up or stop trying. Sometimes, the key is simply looking at things a little differently.

That’s where pacts come in.

A goal is a desired outcome or result that you intend to achieve—it’s the “what.” A pact is a firm commitment to take specific action—it’s the “how” and “when.”

Goals are future-focused and often open-ended, which can make them harder (and more frustrating) to follow through on. Pacts are action-oriented, time-bound, and create built-in accountability. They reduce decision fatigue by making your next step obvious—so you’re far more likely to follow through.

Think of it this way: goals are aspirations, pacts are contracts. Goals can be vague and negotiable. Pacts are clear, specific, and non-negotiable.

So where do you go from here?

Step 1: Follow your curiosities. Ask yourself: What are you genuinely willing to try? (Hint: start with one thing.)

Step 2: Set a pact using this format :"I will [specific action] for [timeframe]."

Step 3: Focus on outputs, not outcomes. Your only job is to follow through on the action—results will follow in time.

Step 4: Complete the pact, then decide if you want to keep the behavior going. By that point, it might already be a habit.

Here are a few examples to make the difference clear:

❌ “I will learn how to strength train.”

✅ “I will follow a strength training routine designed by Nikki for 30 days.”

❌ “I’m going to eat healthier.”

✅ “I will eat a homemade dinner with a protein and two different vegetables every day for 2 weeks.”

❌ “I’m going to drink more water.”

✅ “I will drink a glass of water before every meal this week.”

Now go make your own.