Achieving Goals Through Trial and Error

(Or: How Your Brain is Like an Airplane… and Why That’s Actually Pretty Cool)

Do You Feel Stuck?

Have you ever set a goal, worked hard, and then found yourself feeling like you’re getting nowhere?

• Maybe you’ve tried to lose weight, only to find yourself back on the couch with a bag of chips.
• Maybe you’ve poured your heart into a project, only for it to fall short.

You start wondering if you’re just not cut out for success — that

maybe it’s all just too much.

I get it.　I was there too…

The frustration of hitting walls over and over can be overwhelming.

The constant fear of failure might even make you question if it’s worth trying again.

You start to wonder,

“Am I even capable of succeeding? Why can’t I just get it right?”

 

But here’s the truth:

What if I told you that failure isn’t something to fear — it’s actually part of the process?

What if mistakes and setbacks weren’t signs of defeat, but feedback that helps you recalibrate and ultimately reach your goal?

 

In fact, your brain works just like an airplane flying from New York to Los Angeles.

No, really — just like that airplane, your brain is constantly adjusting and recalculating until it reaches the destination.

1. Set a Clear Target (No “Aimless Sky” Here)

Imagine you’re on a flight from New York to Los Angeles.

You’d think the airplane just flies straight, right?

 

Nope.

It’s constantly adjusting its course.

Sometimes it has to fly around a storm, sometimes it needs to avoid other planes in the sky, and sometimes it has to make little detours because of changing air currents.

 

But guess what?

It still reaches its destination. 🌤️✈️

 

Now, imagine you’re about to board an airplane.

What if the pilot said,

“We’re just heading somewhere, we’ll figure it out along the way,”

you’d probably feel a bit panicked.

Same goes for your brain — it needs a clear destination to know where it’s headed.

Without one, you’ll just wander aimlessly.

 

That’s how your brain works.

It’s always recalculating, always adjusting, until you reach your goal.

You can’t just hope to reach your destination without knowing exactly where you want to go.

Your brain needs a clear target to focus on — whether it’s writing a book, building a business, or improving your health.

 

📝 Fun Fact:

Research shows that people who set specific, challenging goals perform better than those who don’t (Locke & Latham, 2002). Your brain thrives on clarity and direction!

2. Take Action and Accept Mistakes as “Flight Plan Updates”

Here’s the thing: airplanes don’t just take off and soar smoothly from start to finish.

They face obstacles — storms, wind changes, and sometimes, other planes in their path.

 

But they don’t quit.

They adjust, recalibrate, and continue on course.

You should do the same.

 

Every time you make a mistake, it’s like an airplane encountering turbulence.

Instead of turning back, it adjusts its flight path.

Mistakes are not failures; they’re just feedbacks, guiding you toward the right path.

Your brain is a self-correcting system that learns from errors, just like an airplane uses data from its instruments to make those tiny course corrections.

 

🧠 Brainy Insight:

Your brain releases an “error-related negativity” (ERN) signal when you make a mistake, helping you recalibrate and stay on track (Gehring & Knight, 2000). Mistakes are simply course adjustments!

3. Trust the Process (Even When You’re Off Course)

Here’s an interesting fact about airplanes:

they’re off course 90% of the time during a flight.

They don’t fly straight to their destination; they make constant adjustments along the way to counteract weather, air currents, and other obstacles.

And despite all the detours and corrections, they always land exactly where they’re supposed to. ✈️

 

The same goes for your brain.

You might feel like you’re off course.

Things might not be going according to plan, and that’s totally okay.

 

It doesn’t mean you’re failing.

Being “off course” is a normal part of the process.

It’s just feedback telling you how to adjust, tweak, and keep moving forward.

Trust the process — you’re still heading in the right direction.

 

🧠 Science Insight:

Dopamine, the brain’s “motivation chemical,” helps you stay focused on making those adjustments (Schultz, 2000). Each time you recalibrate, it gives you the motivation to keep going.

4. Adjust and Recalibrate (Like a “Flight Path Reboot”)

When your flight hits turbulence, the pilot doesn’t give up — they make adjustments.

They don’t throw their hands in the air and say,

“Well, I guess we’re not going to LA today.”

Instead, they tweak the course and keep moving forward.

 

That’s what you need to do, too.

When things don’t go as planned, don’t give up!

Adjust your approach instead of abandoning the goal altogether.

Maybe your workout routine needs a change, or your business strategy needs a fresh perspective.

 

Little tweaks add up over time.

 

🔬 Science Behind It:

Neuroplasticity proves that your brain can rewire itself through new experiences and adjustments (Doidge, 2007). With each small change, you’re building a stronger foundation for success.

5. Keep the End Goal in Mind (Don’t Let Past Detours Distract You)

An airplane doesn’t dwell on the detours it just made.

It doesn’t stress about the unexpected turbulence or weather.

It’s focused on the destination.

And that’s exactly what you should do — keep your eyes on the prize.

 

Every time you make a mistake or face a setback, don’t get stuck replaying the past.

Your brain is designed to move forward.

Every little correction brings you closer to the finish line — you’re one step closer to your goal.

 

🧠 Brain Tip:

Visualizing your success helps activate your brain’s motivation and problem-solving areas, keeping you focused on the next step and moving forward.

6. The Hack: Six Steps to Success

Success isn’t about luck or being perfect.

It’s about having the right mindset and taking consistent, smart actions.

If you want to reach your goals faster and with more confidence, there’s a simple but powerful “hack” you can follow: break it down into manageable steps and trust the process. 

Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Define Your Success

Before you can succeed, you need to know what success looks like for you.

Set an intention!

It’s like navigating with a map—if you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll never get there.

• Be Specific: Instead of vague goals like “I want to be healthy,” try “I want to lose 10 pounds in the next 3 months.”
• Make it Meaningful: Ask yourself why this goal matters. The more meaningful it is, the more motivated you’ll be to stay the course.
• Write it Down: Studies show you’re 42% more likely to achieve your goals just by writing them down (Dr. Gail Matthews, Dominican University).

Step 2: Create Small, Actionable Steps

Success isn’t achieved by big leaps — it’s made of small, consistent actions.

Think about it like climbing a mountain: one step at a time is all you need to reach the top.

• Break it Down: Divide your main goal into smaller tasks. If your goal is to write a book, the first step could be writing 500 words a day.
• Set Mini-Deadlines: Give yourself a specific timeframe for each task. Small deadlines keep you accountable.
• Celebrate Wins: Every time you complete a step, celebrate it! Small wins build momentum.

Step 3: Take Consistent Action (Even on Tough Days)

The secret to success is in doing the work — consistently.

You can’t skip days and expect results.

• Daily Habits: Build habits that move you toward your goal. If you want to run a marathon, lace up your shoes every morning.
• Make it Non-Negotiable: Treat your tasks like an important meeting. When you commit to your goal, you show up, even when motivation dips.
• Power of 1% Improvement: Small, daily actions compound. If you improve by 1% every day, in a year you’ll be 37 times better (Atomic Habits).

Step 4: Embrace Setbacks and Learn from Them

If you’ve ever felt like giving up after hitting a roadblock, you’re not alone.

But here’s the hack: failure is just feedback.

It’s an opportunity to adjust and move forward stronger.

• Don’t Fear Mistakes: Mistakes are stepping stones on the path to success. Each one teaches you something valuable.
• Adapt and Adjust: When things don’t go as planned, adjust your approach. Don’t let one setback define your progress.
• Growth Mindset: Cultivate a growth mindset. Instead of thinking “I failed,” think “What can I learn from this?”

Step 5: Keep the Big Picture in Mind

It’s easy to get bogged down by the small details or feel discouraged when you’re not seeing immediate results.

But success is a long game.

Stay focused on the bigger picture.

• Visualize Your Success: Take a few minutes each day to visualize where you want to be and how great it will feel when you get there.
• Patience is Key: The greatest achievements take time. Trust the process, and keep your eyes on the prize.
• Stay Inspired: Surround yourself with positive influences — whether it’s people, books, or podcasts that fuel your fire.

Step 6: Reflect and Adjust

At the end of every month (or even every week), take time to reflect on your progress.

This allows you to make adjustments and ensure you’re on the right track.

• Celebrate Progress: Look at how far you’ve come, no matter how small the progress might seem.
• Analyze What’s Working: Which steps are moving you closer to your goal? Double down on them.
• Reassess and Tweak: If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to pivot or try a new approach.

Success Is a Journey, Not a Destination

Success is not a one-size-fits-all formula.

The real hack is this: stay committed to the process, embrace the small steps, and always keep learning from the journey.

Remember, it’s the consistency, the learning from setbacks, and the small wins that add up to the big picture.

It’s not about reaching the destination overnight — it’s about being relentless and patient in your pursuit.

You’re an Airplane in the Sky of Success

Just like an airplane making constant course corrections to reach its destination,

your brain is designed for success through trial and error.

You don’t need to be perfect — you need to be adaptable.

Trust the process, make adjustments when necessary, and keep your destination in mind.

Mistakes are not setbacks; they’re simply feedback that helps you adjust your course.

The only way to fail is to stop making those tiny adjustments.

Keep flying, recalibrating, and heading toward your goals!

References (For Your Inner Pilot):

• Doidge, N. (2007). The Brain That Changes Itself. Viking.
• Gehring, W. J., & Knight, R. T. (2000). Prefrontal-cingulate interactions in action monitoring. Nature Neuroscience.
• Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2002). Building a practically useful theory of goal setting. American Psychologist.
• Schultz, W. (2000). Multiple dopamine functions at different time courses. Annual Review of Neuroscience.