Ankur Warikoo Argues Habits, Not Goals, Drive Success on LinkedIn

In a recent LinkedIn post, Ankur Warikoo challenges the conventional wisdom around goal setting, proposing that building consistent habits is the true key to achieving desired outcomes. Warikoo, a prominent figure in the business and personal development space, argues that the typical focus on fixed goals often leads to disappointment and burnout, as outcomes are frequently dependent on factors beyond an individual’s control.

Warikoo’s central thesis is that the emphasis on goals, rather than the processes that lead to them, is a fundamental flaw in how many people approach self-improvement and professional advancement. He highlights the inherent fragility of goals, stating:

“A goal is fixed on an outcome and the outcome depends on a hundred things outside your control.”

This dependence on external variables, according to Warikoo, makes goals unreliable drivers of progress. Instead, he advocates for a paradigm shift towards habit formation, which he posits is far more controllable and sustainable.

The Power of Showing Up: Habits as the Engine of Achievement

The core of Warikoo’s argument rests on the simplicity and self-reliance of habits. Unlike goals, which are tied to specific results, habits are contingent on one crucial element: consistent personal action. Warikoo emphasizes this distinction, writing:

“A habit depends on only one thing. You showing up.”

This focus on personal agency is what makes habits a more potent tool for change. Warikoo illustrates this with practical examples across different life domains.

From Publishing a Book to Career Advancement

For aspiring authors, Warikoo suggests shifting focus from the grand goal of ‘publishing a book’ to the daily habit of ‘writing every day.’ Similarly, for those aiming to improve their physical fitness, he advises against fixating on a ‘target weight’ and instead recommends cultivating the ‘habit of moving your body every day.’ Even in professional networking, Warikoo proposes that the goal of ‘a better job’ should be supplanted by the habit of ‘reaching out to one new person every day.’

Warikoo elaborates on this strategy, explaining the difference in approach:

“The goal is where you want to go. The habit is what actually takes you there.”

This perspective reframes achievement not as a destination to be reached, but as a journey navigated through consistent, daily actions. By falling in love with the daily practice, Warikoo suggests, the desired outcomes naturally follow, mitigating the risk of frustration and exhaustion associated with chasing distant goals.

Embracing the Daily Act for Sustainable Success

Warikoo concludes his post by reinforcing the idea that sustainable success is born from a dedication to the process, rather than an obsession with the end result. He warns against the potential for burnout when solely focused on outcomes:

“Chase the outcome and you’ll burn out waiting for it.”

Instead, he champions the cultivation of a positive relationship with the daily actions required to move forward. This shift in perspective, from outcome-driven to action-driven, is presented as the more effective and resilient path to personal and professional fulfillment. Warikoo’s insights offer a compelling framework for individuals seeking to achieve their ambitions through consistent, controllable actions.