Why Outcome-Focused Goals Often Fail, and How Habit Accountability Coaching Changes Everything

Chris Deavin
Jul 15
3 min read

When people come to me for coaching, they usually have one thing in mind: a result.

“I want to lose 10kg.”

“I want to have more energy.”

“I want to feel stronger.”

And they’re right to want those things — but the problem is, you can't control outcomes.

What you can control — and where the real change happens — is in your behaviours.

Focus on the Process, Not the Product

Here’s the truth: change is a skill. And like any skill, it can be practised, improved, and refined over time.

But this only happens when you shift your focus from the result to the process.

Not “Did I lose the weight?”

But, “Did I complete my training session today?”

Not “Is my cholesterol lower yet?”

But, “Did I stick to my plan of including vegetables at lunch and dinner?”

In my habit accountability coaching, this is the core of what we work on. We focus on building daily behaviours that are small, doable, and consistent because that’s what gets long-term results.

Behaviours vs. Outcomes

Let’s say you want to sell your house. You can repaint, declutter, and stage it beautifully. But you can't control the housing market.

Want to run a race in a certain time? You can train and fuel your body well. But you can't control the weather or your performance on that specific day.

The same goes for your health.

You can’t force your body to lose fat or build muscle on demand. But you can commit to doing the things that will lead to those results — like walking daily, eating mindfully, or strength training regularly.

How Habit Accountability Coaching Turns Goals Into Action

Outcome goals are what you want.

Behaviour goals are how you’ll get there.

For example:

❌ Outcome Goal: “Run a 5K in 20 minutes”

✅ Behaviour Goal: “Run three times per week for 20 minutes, building speed gradually.”

❌ Outcome Goal: “Eat better.”

✅ Behaviour Goal: “Add one extra portion of vegetables to lunch every day.”

As a coach, I help people take their big-picture outcome and break it down into manageable steps.

Then, I help them stick to those steps through weekly check-ins, real-time feedback, and habit tracking.

You’re never left wondering, “Am I doing this right?” You’re supported, accountable, and progressing.

The Four Circles: A Simple Planning Tool

Here’s a powerful exercise I often walk clients through.

On a page, draw four circles and label them:

Outcome Goal
This Month
This Week
Today

Start with the outcome. Then, fill in what behaviours you'll commit to this month, this week, and today to move toward that goal.

For example:

Outcome Goal: Have more energy and less joint pain

This Month: Walk 3x per week and cut back on processed food

This Week: Walk after dinner on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

Today: Prep a healthy dinner and plan a 15-minute walk

This shows you exactly how daily actions add up over time.

Set Yourself Up For Success

Here’s something most people overlook: it's better to underestimate yourself than overreach and feel like you’ve failed.

In coaching, we always start small. We build habits that are simple and doable. And when you do them consistently, the momentum builds. You feel confident. You feel in control. And suddenly, those outcomes you once hoped for? They’re happening, not by accident, but by design.

What To Do Today

Here’s your challenge:

Review your outcome goal. Then acknowledge you can’t control it.
List 3 behaviour goals that, if done consistently, will move you toward that outcome.
Choose one small action you’ll do today. And do it.

Then tomorrow? Repeat.

This is the core of habit accountability coaching. It’s not about willpower or waiting to feel motivated.

It’s about having a clear plan, built around behaviours you can control, and having someone in your corner to help you follow through.

Ready to turn your goals into consistent action?

Let’s talk. I’ll help you stay on track, stay accountable, and build the habits that get lasting results.

Chris Deavin

Certified Holistic Health & Accountability Coach

My Health Coach