Goals often become identity statements: proof that you are disciplined, valuable, or capable. That makes every result emotionally expensive. It also makes feedback harder to receive.
Make the assumption explicit
A better goal says: “If I aim here and act in this way, what happens?” It contains an expectation, but no demand that reality confirm it. The purpose is directional movement and better information.
Design a test
Define a short time horizon, a controllable action, and one observable signal. Then let the result update the next move. Success is data. Failure is data. Resistance is data.