Feel Like You’re Falling Behind on Your Goals? Here’s Why (And How To Fix It)

Hi there,

I’ve been traveling for the last three months, as you’re well aware. A new trend has been showing up as we extend our time in Mongolia.

I’m falling off track on many of my things.

You see, I keep a daily scorecard with the 6 activities that I believe move my life and business forward. And this past month, I’ve missed out on lots of critical activities.

As you can see, when I fall off track with DMing prospects (9/20) or even in one of my strongest habits like working out (17/20), I often feel disappointed in myself.

It feels like failure.

And from what I’ve seen, I’m not alone.

The Many Faces of “Failure” (Disguised as Excuses)

I hear it every week from my clients:

• “I’ve always wanted to become an entrepreneur, but I just don’t know where to start.”

• “I’ve got too many things going on, so of course I’m behind on the important stuff.”

• “I forgot what I even wrote down back in February, and I don’t want to look at it.”

• “It’s so hard to wake up early, that’s why I’m missing my workouts.”

• “I just don’t have enough time to answer all my emails.”

• “I can’t leave this job because I depend on my salary.”

And I get it. I’m on vacation, I want to enjoy.

But life doesn’t stop. The list never ends.

Distractions pile up as you get cool invitations for weekend trips, unread notifications, invoices, and finances awaiting your attention.

And all of it adds up to a gnawing sense of disappointment.

The Corrosive Effect of “Failure”

We need to talk about what these thoughts do to us.

Because it’s not neutral.

It’s corrosive.

Like rust, it eats away at our spirit. Not just harmful in the moment, it changes us at a celular level. Our cells break to live out of short burst of energy from adrenaline and cortisol.

When we internalize failure, we don’t just feel discouraged. We become someone who doubts themselves, someone who feels defeated before they even start.

High performers set massive expectations. For themselves, for their projects, for our coaching.

And when those expectations aren’t met?
They spiral. They shift into victimhood, apathy, and paralysis.

That’s why noticing the effect of these thoughts is so important. Not just what you’re “failing at” but what happens inside when you believe that story.

What You’re Forgetting to Notice

Because here’s the truth: while you’re busy cataloging failures, you’re also succeeding in ways you’re not giving yourself credit for.

Right now, I’m succeeding at improving my offer.
I’m getting ready to launch my first group offer for TRL program. Woohoo!
I’m succeeding at finishing my program with 8 one-on-one clients and a group of two.
I’m succeeding at enjoying summer with my family, reconnecting with old friends, and supporting clients.

When you start noticing your wins (no matter how small) you shift something fundamental inside. You stop destroying your cells, you create energy from a different source, hormones that help your growth.

I’m not telling you to ignore failure.

I’m telling you that you’re focusing on the wrong thing. Because you’ve been trained to see the bad in yourself, a situation and others. And that (right there) is one of the biggest problems in your life.

That’s why I’m giving you a simple exercise you can use anytime you feel like a failure, or anytime you catch yourself hiding behind an excuse.

Exercise: Reframing Catabolic Energy

Here’s a tool I use with clients to shift out of corrosive “failure energy” and back into progress.

✦ Step 1: Notice the Catabolic Energy
Spot a thought that feels heavy, draining, or judgmental.
Example: “I’m failing because I’m not making enough money.”

✦ Step 2: Name the Energy Block
Is it a Limiting Belief, Assumption, Interpretation, or Gremlin?

✦ Step 3: Disprove the Thought
List at least three examples showing it’s not true or not always true.

✦ Step 4: Reframe with Anabolic Energy
Ask: “What’s a more empowering way I could view this?”

✦ Step 5: Come Back to Your Best Self
Anchor into wisdom, compassion, creativity. Ask: “What would my best self say or do about this?”

Failure isn’t about what you didn’t do.
It has more to do with what story you decide to believe when things don’t go as planned.

Notice the story.
Reframe it.
Come back to your best self.

That’s how you stop failure from corroding you and start using it as fuel to grow.

When you notice where you’re succeeding, something starts to shift inside of you. It doesn’t erase the struggles, but it reminds you that you’re still moving forward. I wonder if you’d be willing to explore this for yourself.

If you’ve been following along with these newsletters and something has resonated, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s catch up.

with love,
Carlos

P.S. If you want to go deeper into overcoming saboteurs, check out this related blog: Unlock Your Hidden 80 Percent: Rewire Your Brain from Saboteur to Sage.