Most people fail their goals because they live at the extremes. Either the goals are too easy and boring, or too hard and overwhelming. Both paths end in failure. The fix is balance. I call it the 85/15 stretch rule - and it’s the simplest way to set goals you’ll actually stick to.
Why most goals fail
When goals are too easy, there’s no excitement. You forget them after a week. When goals are too hard, resistance builds fast. You quit after a few days. People swing back and forth between comfort and burnout, wondering why nothing lasts.
The problem isn’t you. The problem is the balance.
The 85/15 stretch rule explained
The rule is simple:
85% should feel realistic, doable, inside your comfort zone.
15% should feel like stretch - uncomfortable but possible.
This mix keeps you consistent while still growing. Too much 85% and you stagnate. Too much 15% and you burn out. Balance them, and you’ll sustain progress for the long term.
Examples of 85/15 goals
Fitness: Walk 20 minutes daily (85%) + add 2 sprints a week (15%).
Career: Finish your 4 usual reports (85%) + pitch one bold idea (15%).
Personal: Plan 3 family dinners (85%) + have one tough but needed conversation (15%).
Each example is mostly stable and doable, with a touch of growth that stretches you without breaking you.
Client story - the book draft
I worked with a client who set a goal to write 1000 words every single day. He lasted five days before quitting. The target was inspiring, but the load was too heavy.
We applied the 85/15 rule. He switched to 300 words a day (85% - easy enough to do even when tired) plus one long Saturday writing block (15% - a stretch that moved the book forward faster). The result? He kept going for months, built momentum, and eventually finished his first draft. The secret wasn’t motivation. It was balance.
Why this works
Your brain needs safety. That’s the 85%. It says: “This is doable, I can handle it.”
Your heart needs growth. That’s the 15%. It says: “This matters, this challenges me.”
Together, they create a system where consistency builds confidence, and confidence builds results. You grow without breaking yourself.
How to apply it yourself
Step 1 - Write your goal.
Be honest about what you want.
Step 2 - Cut it to what feels 85% doable.
If it feels 100% easy, you cut too much. If it feels like a coin toss, it’s too hard. Aim for “I can do this most days.”
Step 3 - Add 15% stretch.
Choose one element that pushes you just outside comfort. More intensity, more speed, more honesty, more risk.
Step 4 - Test and adjust.
Run it for two weeks. If it breaks, lower the stretch. If it bores you, add a little more. Balance is personal.
What this means for you
Forget all-or-nothing. Forget massive action forever. The goals you stick to are the ones that balance realism with stretch. Mostly doable, a bit uncomfortable - that’s the sweet spot.
That’s also why in the 4P Clarity Method we always check if goals pass the 85/15 test. If they don’t, they leak energy. If they do, they compound results.
Want a personalized clarity system?
If this resonates, don’t stop here. You can have a tailored blueprint built around your exact goals, challenges, and energy patterns.
👉 See the full 4P Clarity Method here:
https://coachraido.com/4p-clarity-method/