Why Auditing Your Goals Trumps Hustling, According to Lizbradford

In a recent LinkedIn post, Lizbradford discusses the common tendency for individuals to persist with goals set at the beginning of the year, even when those objectives no longer align with their current selves or aspirations. Bradford advocates for a strategic audit of one’s progress and priorities, arguing that this approach is more effective than simply increasing effort or ‘hustling’.

The post begins by framing the past ‘grey months’ as valuable data, rather than a period of stagnation. Bradford suggests that these months reveal what has been effective and what has been draining, providing crucial insights for future direction. This perspective challenges the conventional focus on achieving initial New Year’s resolutions.

“Most people spend June trying to catch up to January goals they no longer want. Here’s why auditing beats hustling.”

Bradford elaborates on this by pointing to data from platforms like Strava, which reportedly shows a high abandonment rate for New Year’s goals. She posits that the issue is not a lack of willpower, but a misalignment of goals with personal identity. According to Bradford, goals often become metrics of self-worth rather than genuine plans for growth.

The Power of the Audit Question

A key element of Bradford’s strategy is a specific audit question designed to recalibrate focus: “If I hadn’t already started this, would I choose to begin it today?” Bradford argues that if the answer is no, continuing with the goal may not be productive. She emphasizes that recognizing when to let go of a goal is not a failure, especially when persistence leads to more of what isn’t working.

“Permission to quit isn’t failure when continuing means more of what isn’t working.”

This perspective reframes the act of abandoning a goal as a sign of maturity and self-awareness, rather than defeat. Bradford notes that the ‘gold months ahead’ are not about increasing activity, but about aligning actions with personal fit and energy.

Prioritizing Energy Over Ego

Bradford highlights the importance of aligning actions with current identity and energy levels. She states:

“Your energy matters more than your ego. Your capacity matters more than your calendar.”

This sentiment underscores her core argument: high achievers measure the year against themselves, not the other way around. They adapt their plans based on self-reflection and current capacity, rather than rigidly adhering to outdated resolutions. The insights gained from the ‘grey months’ are presented as foundational for progress in the ‘gold months’.

Shifting from Hustle to Alignment

Ultimately, Lizbradford encourages readers to move away from the relentless pursuit of goals that no longer serve them. Instead, she advocates for a proactive audit process to identify what truly drives progress and fulfillment. This involves acknowledging that some goals are no longer relevant and that letting them go is a form of personal growth.

“Some goals deserve to die in June. That’s not giving up. That’s growing up.”

Bradford concludes by suggesting a practical step for those seeking to implement this audit: a self-assessment on energy allocation. This call to action reinforces her message that understanding where one’s energy is directed is crucial for effective goal setting and personal development, moving beyond mere effort to focus on meaningful, identity-aligned growth.