Most Goals Fail—But Not With This One Shift in Planning | Lani Jones - E44

Episode notes

Dusty welcomes back Dr. Lani Jones—clinical psychologist, executive coach, and expert in behavior change—for a timely and deeply reflective conversation on how leaders can intentionally design success rather than defaulting to familiar but ineffective goal-setting habits. Moving beyond the fleeting appeal of New Year’s resolutions, Lani reframes planning as an exercise in clarity, alignment, and self-leadership, emphasizing that most people fail not from lack of discipline but from skipping the deeper work of understanding what truly matters. Together, they unpack a clinically informed framework centered on the where, why, and what—arguing that sustainable progress requires slowing down, interrogating internal belief systems, and reconnecting with values before ever jumping to tactics. Lani explores how distraction quietly erodes ambition, why leaders often honor commitments to others more than to themselves, and how guilt and shame sabotage long-term change. Through practical examples and candid reflections, she challenges listeners to envision December 31, 2026, as if it has already happened, and to design the ordinary daily behaviors that make extraordinary outcomes possible.