Lag vs. Lead: The Goal-Setting Mistake Most Make
- Jamie Stumpe
- 6 days ago
- 1 min read
It's all too easy to get stuck staring at the scoreboard:
How much do you weigh
What's your latest 5km time?
How much did you lift last week?
How your clothes currently fit?
These are all lag measurements—they show the results of what you've been doing in the previous weeks and months.
It's totally normal to fixate on them. They're often tied to the things we care about most: health, performance, energy, longevity.
But here's the problem: you can't control them directly.
What you can control are your lead measurements. These are the consistent, repeatable actions that create those results down the road.
For example:
Eating a target amount of protein each day
Getting in 120 minutes of steady-state cardio per week
Going to bed on time so you don't tank the next day
These are the things that actually move the needle.
Another way to think about it:
Outcome goal: "I want to run a faster 5K."
Performance goal: "I'll get outside and run three times a week."
Yes—set outcome goals.
Yes—track your progress.
But if you want to change your health, energy, or physique...
Focus daily on what you do, not just what you hope will happen.
That's the part you own.
And that's what builds real results over time.
P.S. If you enjoyed this week's Thursday Three, please share it with a friend.
Thanks,
Jamie
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