Today at a Glance
- Today, we challenge the traditional goal-setting mindset and introduce a more intuitive approach to personal growth.
- Discover why focusing on energy rather than fixed targets can lead to more sustainable and fulfilling results.
- Learn practical strategies to transform your relationship with success by aligning your actions with how you want to feel.
For years, we’ve been told to set goals. Big ones. Lofty ones. SMART ones.
The idea is simple: plot a course, commit to it, and measure progress along the way.
But here’s the truth most people won’t admit: goals fail us more often than we fail them.
They can become traps—rigid, demanding, and unforgiving. And when we don’t hit them, we don’t just lose momentum. We lose belief in ourselves.
Ketty and I? We don’t just set goals. We set energies.
It’s a philosophy rooted in something deeper than checking boxes. It’s about aligning with the rhythms of life and creating sustainable momentum.
This isn’t some feel-good fluff; it’s a radically practical way to transform your fitness, health, and life.
Let me explain why goals, as you’ve known them, are broken—and how setting energies can liberate your potential.
The Dirty Secret About Goals
Here’s something people don’t talk about enough: most goals are someone else’s idea of success.
Think about it. You set a goal to lose 20 lbs (10 kilos.) Why 20 (10?) Because society told you that’s what “healthy” looks like? Because it’s a round number?
What if 20 lbs (10 kilos) isn’t what your body needs? What if, in chasing that number, you punish yourself with diets that leave you miserable, workouts you hate, and a constant sense of failure?
Now zoom out. The same applies to personal growth. Goals like “get that promotion” or “run a marathon” are often plucked from thin air, disconnected from how we actually want to live.
Here’s the kicker: goals don’t care about you. They’re blind to how you feel, how you grow, or what’s happening in your life. And if you’ve ever quit halfway through a resolution or hit a goal only to feel empty afterward, you know what I mean.
I’ve been there. Ketty’s been there. We’ve worked with clients who ticked every box but still felt something was missing. And that’s when it hit us: the problem isn’t that we lack discipline or motivation. The problem is the system itself.
"Your energy is your currency. Invest it in alignment with your truth, not someone else's definition of success."
The Power of Setting Energies
Ketty and I believe in a different approach. We ask a simple but powerful question:
How do you want to feel—and what energizes you to get there?
This isn’t about abandoning ambition. It’s about redefining success as a flow of energy, not a rigid destination. Goals might be the mountain peak, but energy is the fuel.
And when you focus on energy, you unlock something far more sustainable: joy, adaptability, and growth that feels good.
Let me share a quick story.
When Ketty and I first started building The Energy Lab, we were ambitious to a fault. We wrote long lists of goals: grow the business by X%, launch Y new programs, post Z times a week. We treated our lives like one giant checklist.
But here’s the thing about relentless goal-chasing: it’s exhausting. And when you’re tired, your vision narrows. All you see is what you haven’t achieved, instead of what’s working.
One day, after another late night of planning, Ketty said something that stuck with me. “Why are we trying to fit our lives into these boxes? What if the boxes don’t even matter?”
That’s when we stopped chasing goals and started tuning into energy.
We asked ourselves: What energizes us? What drains us? And how can we design our work and lives to flow with that energy?
Why Energies Work (When Goals Don’t)
Here’s why setting energies is a game-changer:
1. Energies Are Adaptive
Life isn’t linear. Neither is growth. Goals lock you into a fixed path, but energy flows with change. When life throws you a curveball—a breakup, an injury, a surprise opportunity—energy keeps you moving, even if the direction shifts.
2. Energies Align With Your Values
When you set energies, you’re asking yourself: What truly matters to me? For example:
- Instead of “I want to lose weight,” you might say, “I want to feel strong and vibrant in my body.”
- Instead of “I need to save X amount,” you might say, “I want to feel secure and free to pursue my passions.”
See the difference? Energies connect you to what you really want.
3. Energies Build Momentum
Goals are pass/fail. Energies are cumulative. Every small action feeds the flow, whether it’s a 10-minute walk, a deep breath, or a single mindful choice. You don’t need perfection; you just need movement.
How to Set Energies in Fitness, Health, and Life
Let’s get practical. Here’s how you can shift from goal-setting to energy-setting today:
1. Identify Your Energy State
Ask yourself: How do I want to feel at the end of the day? Choose a word or phrase that resonates with you: strong, calm, focused, joyful, energized. This is your guiding energy.
2. Audit Your Energy Flows
Look at your daily routines and habits. What drains you? What fuels you? Be honest. If scrolling Instagram leaves you feeling sluggish, it’s time to shift. If walking outside clears your head, do more of that.
3. Redefine Success
Take one of your current goals and reframe it as an energy. For example:
- Goal: “Run a 5k.” Energy: “Discover the joy of running without pressure.”
- Goal: “Meditate every day.” Energy: “Feel grounded and present, even for five minutes.”
4. Commit to Small, Daily Wins
Energies thrive on consistency, not intensity. Instead of giant leaps, focus on tiny actions that align with your desired state. These micro-shifts compound over time.
5. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
When you live in alignment with your energy, every step forward is a win. Forget the idea of “falling off the wagon.” There is no wagon—only flow.
A Challenge for You
Here’s what I want you to do today:
Write down how you want to feel at the end of this week. Not what you want to achieve—how you want to feel. Then, list three actions that will generate that energy. Start small. Start today.
And remember: the goal isn’t to arrive. The goal is to align.
Final Thoughts
At The Energy Lab, we’re not just here to help you hit milestones. We’re here to help you create a life that feels alive. A life where energy flows freely, powering your fitness, health, and growth.
So let’s stop setting goals that box us in. Let’s start setting energies that set us free.
This is your moment. Your energy. Your life. Now tell me—what will you do with it?
That’s it for today.
Hope you enjoyed it (and learned something new).
As always, stay fit, stay active, and enjoy your life.
Ketty & Markus
