Success is predictable. It comes down to three levers I call the “Loop of Achievement.”

1. Direction
2. Process
3. Action

These three components either accelerate someone’s growth or limit it. They are repeatable, diagnosable, and predictable.

When people aren’t making progress, it’s almost always because one of these three is broken.

So let’s break it down.

1. Direction, Not Perfection

Achievement starts with knowing where you’re trying to go.

For years, I coached this the wrong way. People always told me I needed to get ultra specific on my goals, so naturally, I pushed people to get ultra specific before they took action.

And what I noticed was this:

The gap between direction and ultra specific didn’t really move the needle for people, and often, it forced people to move slower. It’s pretty much a socially acceptable form of procrastination.

That being said, you do need direction. You need a general picture of where you are heading and I can’t stress this enough, it needs to be written down. Not in your head. Written down.

Writing makes it real. It creates commitment with yourself. And unfortunately, that’s why most people avoid it.

For most of the guys I work with, it isn’t “what if I don’t know.” The fear is “what if I write this down and fail, or change my mind, or realize I’ve been chasing the wrong thing.”

2. Process: A Good Plan Beats a Perfect One

Once you have direction, the next question is simple:

What’s the plan I’m going to follow?

It does not need to be the best one. You don’t have to spend another week comparing different tools, diets, or programs. You don’t need the optimal plan. You need one that’s good enough and that you’ll actually execute.

Most planners get stuck here because they want to know every step of the perfect plan. I fall into this all the time. It doesn’t have to be perfect right off the bat because as you go, you’ll find what works and what doesn’t. Then you’ll adjust.

So to start, the simplest plans are usually the best ones.

3. Action: You Still Have to Do the Work

Once direction and process are in place, you have to act. I have tried to find ways around this, but there’s no shortcut. You just have to do it. Don’t blame the process if you’re not acting.

There are a million ways to get better at taking action, but the best one I’ve found is community. If you want to work out, join a gym class. If you want to journal, find an accountability partner. If you want to stop drinking, find friends who don’t drink.

The second best way is to develop systems. Atomic Habits by James Clear is a great resource if you want help with this.

Knowing you, you’re probably an overachiever, so listen closely. Action isn’t about intensity. It’s about consistency. It’s about fostering an environment, expanding your time horizon, and putting in the reps until success becomes inevitable.

Diagnosing the Real Problem

I use this loop in two ways:

1. To get started
2. To help when I’m stuck

As soon as I notice I’m stuck on a goal, I ask myself, “Which part of the loop feels off?”

• “I don’t really know what I want” → Direction
• “I’m working hard but nothing’s changing” → Process
• “I know what to do but I’m not doing it” → Action

Once you know where you’re stuck, you know where to focus. And remember, this isn’t linear. It’s a circle. As you act, your direction gets clearer. As your direction gets clearer, it becomes easier to get specific with your plan. As your plan improves, action gets easier.

To me, that’s the science of achievement.

If you’re frustrated with a lack of progress, the answer usually isn’t more motivation. It’s figuring out which of these three levers is actually broken.

Next week, I want to apply this framework to one of the most common questions I hear:

How do I actually find my passion?

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If this resonated, you’re not alone. Let’s talk. Book a call.

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