Time after time I have been caught off guard by a client that is making tons of progress, I am witnessing it, and they’re telling me they are frustrated by the progress they aren’t seeing. Mind-blowing.

However, over time I have understood better- we are looking at very different pieces of the puzzle.

As a coach, I am looking for a pattern of compounding behaviors and markers of sustainable growth. As a client they are looking at a specific measurement, sometimes a subjective one, sometimes an objective one.

Here’s the problem: Success (or failure) is a lagging indicator.

As the calendar flips to a new year, it’s natural to reflect on goals, past achievements, and the challenges we’ve faced. For many, this process stirs up a mix of excitement and apprehension, especially if previous efforts to improve fitness, health, or overall well-being didn’t go as planned. But what if part of the secret to better outcomes lies not just in what you do, but in how you think?

We need to be perfect from the start. We assume that success comes from getting everything right: the perfect form, the ideal routine, and no mistakes along the way. In the pursuit of fitness or any new skill, many of us fall into this mental trap. The reality is, that growth happens through mistakes, setbacks, and imperfections. In fact, you’re not going to get to where you want to go by being perfect. Instead, it’s about doing things wrong, learning from them, and improving over time.

Words are magic. Not the kind in fairy tales, but the kind that rewires your brain and reshapes your reality. The language you use—especially in how you talk to yourself—can transform how you think, feel, and act. It’s not just theory; studies show that small changes in word choice can boost performance, reduce stress, and even reshape neural pathways. Imagine turning daily struggles into opportunities with just a tweak in phrasing. Say something often enough, and your brain believes it. Say it the right way, and you might just change your life.