By Dr. Harry Akinola | August 2026 | 5-min read Leadership Strategist | Executive Coach | Founder, Ultrashift
It is almost the end of August 2026.
A few days ago, I looked at the goals on the wall in my office: my spiritual, physical, business, family and personal goals. Under them were things I committed to start, stop and sustain this year.
And I asked myself one simple question:
How far have I really gone?
Not, How busy have I been? Not, How much have I done? But, Am I actually closer to the things I said mattered to me?
Many of us started 2026 with goals and resolutions. Then life happened. Work got busy. Priorities shifted. Opportunities came. Problems showed up. And some of those January goals quietly moved into the background.
But here is what I have learned:
A goal that is off track is not necessarily a failed goal. It may simply need recalibration.
Do a Progress Audit
One thing I have observed from coaching senior executives and leaders is that many are incredibly disciplined about goals at work but less disciplined about personal goals.
Why?
At work, there is accountability. There are dashboards, monthly reviews, quarterly business reviews and people asking questions.
Nobody waits until December 31 to discover whether the business achieved its annual target.
So why do we do that with our lives?
What gets reviewed can be recalibrated. What gets ignored usually drifts.
Before September begins, take an hour and review your goals. For each one, ask yourself:
- What did I say I would achieve? Go back to the original commitment.
- Where am I today? Be brutally clear about the gap.
- What is working that I should sustain?
- What do I need to stop? What is consuming energy without moving me forward?
- What needs to change? Is the goal wrong, or is my approach wrong?
- Who do I need around me now? Do I need an accountability partner, coach, expert or different relationships?
- What are my lead measures? Don’t just measure the final result. Measure the weekly behaviors that will get you there.
If your goal is revenue, don’t only track revenue. Track conversations, proposals and opportunities.
If your goal is fitness, don’t only track weight. Track workouts, food and sleep.
If your goal is to write a book, don’t only ask whether the manuscript is finished. Ask, “How many pages did I write this week?”
Don’t only measure whether you arrived. Measure whether your current behavior is capable of getting you there.
Recalibrate, Then Move
Sometimes the review will reveal that circumstances have changed. The market changed. Your business changed. Your family changed. You changed.
Ask yourself:
Do I need to change the goal, or do I simply need to change my approach to the goal?
There is no prize for continuing with a strategy that isn’t working simply because that was the strategy you wrote down in January.
Commit to the destination, but remain flexible about the route.
Then turn September through December into a simple execution plan.
What must happen in September? What must happen in October? What must happen in November? What must happen in December?
Put the critical actions on your calendar and schedule your next progress review immediately.
A goal without a review rhythm eventually becomes a wish.
The year is not over.
There is still time to climb your Mount Everest. There is still time to launch the business, change the habit, complete the qualification, repair the relationship or make significant progress on whatever you said mattered to you in January.
But hoping December will somehow produce what January through August did not produce is not a strategy.
Review. Measure. Recalibrate. Get accountable. Then move.
I am rooting for you to achieve everything you set out to achieve in 2026.
As August comes to an end, don’t just ask:
“How far have I gone?”
Ask the more powerful question:
“Knowing what I know today, what must I do next?”
Dr. Harry Akinola
About the Author
Dr. Harry Akinola is a leadership strategist, executive coach (500+ coaching hours), and the founder of Ultrashift Inc., a nonprofit based in Houston, Texas, dedicated to helping people Become Better and Live Excellently.
With nearly 20 years of experience in global leadership development across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas, Dr. Harry has worked with organizations including JPMorgan Chase, Puma Energy, and Standard Bank Group. He holds a Doctor of Management in Leadership and Organizational Development and is a certified Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and Senior Certified Professional in Human Resources (SHRM-SCP).
He is the author of five books on leadership, identity, and personal development and the host of the annual Ultra Conference in Houston, Texas — one of the region’s premier leadership and transformation events.
Key Takeaways
- A goal that is off track is not necessarily a failed goal.
- What gets reviewed can be recalibrated.
- Personal goals need the same level of accountability as workplace goals.
- Don’t only measure final outcomes; measure the weekly behaviors that lead to those outcomes.
- If a strategy is not working, adjust the route without abandoning the destination.
- A goal without a review rhythm eventually becomes a wish.
- September through December can become a focused execution window if you review, measure, recalibrate, get accountable, and move.
Frequently Asked Questions About Progress Audits
What is a progress audit?
A progress audit is a structured review of your goals, actions, results, and habits. It helps you measure how far you have gone, identify what is working, and decide what needs to change so you can stay on track.
Why is a progress audit important?
A progress audit is important because it prevents drift. When you review your goals regularly, you can recalibrate early instead of waiting until the end of the year to discover that you are off track.
How often should I do a progress audit?
You should do a progress audit at least once a quarter. However, a monthly progress review can help you stay more accountable and make smaller adjustments before problems become bigger.
How do I know if I need to recalibrate my goals?
You may need to recalibrate your goals if your priorities have changed, your current strategy is not producing results, or your weekly behaviors are not moving you closer to your desired outcome.
What are lead measures in goal setting?
Lead measures are the actions or behaviors that influence your final result. For example, if your goal is revenue, lead measures may include sales conversations, proposals, and new opportunities.
What is the difference between changing a goal and changing the approach?
Changing a goal means adjusting the destination. Changing the approach means keeping the destination but choosing a better strategy, process, or route to reach it.
How can accountability help me achieve my goals?
Accountability helps you stay focused, honest, and consistent. An accountability partner, coach, expert, or supportive community can help you review progress, identify blind spots, and keep moving forward.
