In the early 20th century, Andrew Carnegie emerged as one of the most successful industrialists in American history.
He worked alongside people who were just as educated and just as driven. Many worked long hours. Many had the same opportunities.
Yet very few achieved his success.
The gap raised a question that still resonates today: why do some people succeed while others struggle?
Carnegie believed he knew why:
The answer wasn’t intelligence or effort. It was the way he thought that made all the difference.
More than a century later, the pattern hasn’t changed. Only a small percentage of people consistently reach long-term goals.
So what are successful people doing differently?
The answer is still the same…
🔔 They Find Their “Hell Yes” Moment
Highly successful people don’t chase goals they feel meh about. They connect with a moment of deep emotional clarity that motivates them. That thing they connect with convinces them—even on the difficult days—that the cost of staying the same outweighs the discomfort of change.
We’ve talked about this moment before—it’s called “finding your why,” and it’s one of the most powerful mindset shifts you can make.
You see this all the time in real life:
- The parent who decides to change their lifestyle because they want energy for their kids, not just weight loss. Then, the inches drop off.
- The professional who recognizes that burnout isn’t a badge of honor and takes care of her health. Then, her productivity skyrockets.
- The small business owner who stops thinking dollar for dollar and starts spending time with her customers. Then, her products finally start to sell.
That’s the shift that makes us move forward. From “I should” to “I’m not willing to live like this anymore.”
📌 Your action step:
Write this sentence and finish it honestly:
“If nothing changes in the next 5 years, the part of my life that will suffer most is…”
That answer matters more than any goal you could set.
🔔 They Focus on Identity Before Outcomes
Early in my own journey, I made the same mistake most people do—I chased outcomes. And every once in a while, I slip back into this mindset. It can happen when I get a little scared by the number on the scale after a vacation. Or feel unsure when my body changes with age.
But focusing on outcomes can push us into perfectionism. We feel like we’re either moving forward or backward. That salad with chicken breast? One step forward. The two chips we took from our daughter’s lunch? A backslide.
There’s a way out of this mindset, and it starts with changing how you talk about yourself.
Stop making your life about getting to a finish line. Shift your identity, and enjoy the journey.
Here’s how:
Instead of asking what do I want, ask who am I becoming?
Goal-getters don’t say:
- “I’m trying to eat better.”
- “I’m hoping to be more consistent.”
- “I want to work out more.”
They think:
- “I’m someone who plans ahead.”
- “I’m someone who keeps promises to myself.”
- “I’m someone who trains—even when it’s inconvenient.”
📌 Your action step:
Pick one goal and rewrite it as an identity statement. Instead of “I want to lose weight,” try:
“I’m the kind of person who fuels my body with intention.”
Then ask daily: What would that person do next?
🔔 They Cut Twice and Measure Once
In carpentry, measuring twice can save you time and material. But when it comes to reaching your personal goals, delaying the next step is the reason why you’re stalling out.
Successful people are relentlessly action-oriented. They don’t overthink. They move.
They’ve learned that results come from taking the next step now, not more contemplation.
So, they don’t wait until the plan is perfect. They don’t wait to feel confident. They don’t wait until life calms down. Instead of asking, “What’s the best possible way to do this?” they ask, “What’s the next doable step I can take today?”
People who keep moving forward:
- Decide quickly
- Act on incomplete information
- Adjust along the way
Anyone can do this. For those of us who feel overwhelmed by big goals, learning to take the next small step today can be incredibly freeing.
Here’s what action-orientation looks like in real life:
- Schedule a workout instead of debating the “best” program
- Prep one solid meal instead of redesigning your entire diet
- Start tracking habits before you feel “ready”
- Adjust as you go instead of quitting when things are imperfect
Life is like a first draft, not a final exam. We’re all figuring it out as we go. Successful people realize this, and that keeps them moving forward.
📌 Your action step:
Take one of your goals and ask yourself every day:
“What is the next small action (not the perfect one) I can take now?”
🔔 They Take Full Responsibility (Even When It’s Uncomfortable)
There’s a term in psychology that describes the mindset of the most successful people: an internal locus of control.
It’s the belief that you are in charge of your own life. Fate and luck don’t dictate the day. Your efforts, decisions, and actions directly shape your life’s outcomes.
Translation? Successful people don’t outsource responsibility. They don’t blame:
- Their schedule
- Their genetics
- Their age
- Their past failures
- Their kids
- Or their hormones
They ask better questions:
- What part of this is mine to own?
- What can I control right now?
This mindset is life-changing. It builds resilience. Instead of quitting when things go sideways, an internal locus of control allows you to adapt. Over time, that ability compounds into confidence.
📌 Your action step:
The next time something doesn’t go as planned regarding your goals, write down:
- What happened (facts only)
- What I learned
- What I’ll do differently next time
Each time you do this, your internal locus of control will grow stronger and stronger.
🔔 They Never Stop Learning
Can you guess who said, “The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know”?
Albert Einstein.
The most successful people see learning as a lifelong practice—not a phase they outgrow once they hit a milestone.
They don’t assume they’ve arrived. They stay curious and humble. And most importantly, they apply what they learn.
You’ll notice that the people who seem to reach goal after goal are constantly:
- Reading, listening, or studying their craft
- Observing what’s working—and what isn’t
- Refining systems based on real-world feedback
- Asking better questions instead of defending old habits
This is especially true with health. Bodies change. Seasons change. The people who stay consistent aren’t the ones who found the perfect plan—they’re the ones who kept learning how to adapt.
That’s exactly why LEAN exists.
LEAN doesn’t give you a set of rules to follow blindly. It will teach you how to think, adjust, and make confident decisions in real life—whether you’re navigating vacations, busy work weeks, postpartum seasons, or years where your body feels different than it used to.
Inside LEAN, you’re not just told what to do. You’ll learn why it works, how to troubleshoot when it doesn’t.
Success doesn’t come from knowing everything. It comes from being willing to keep learning—and taking the next step.
If you’re ready to become that kind of person, LEAN is where that learning turns into lived experience.
