What is the difference between a Want and a Goal?

A Want is the overarching vision or 'Big Dream' (Ultimate Vision), while a Goal is a practical, measurable waypoint you set along the path toward that dream (The Setting) [1].

How does an Identity Statement relate to achieving a Goal?

An Identity Statement (The Mainspring and Escapement) defines who you need to become for the goal to be a natural consequence of your being, rather than a forced outcome. It regulates the energy flow for sustained action [1].

What happens when identity is misaligned with goals?

Misalignment causes the system to be 'thrown.' The external effort only reinforces existing friction, leading to internal resistance, procrastination, and self-sabotage [1].

Why is 'The Process is the Goal' a better mindset?

Focusing on the process builds the internal capability and character needed to sustain the achievement. It reframes daily actions as a successful expression of the person you are becoming, making the work feel inevitable rather than a chore [1].

How does a limiting belief like 'I can't stand boredom' affect my goals?

This belief acts as a seized escapement. It actively forces a split focus, seeking distraction over the consistent, often boring, work of the core process, sabotaging your sustainable momentum [1].

#92 The Mechanism Of Perfect Time: Generating Sustainable Momentum

Francois Esterhuizen
4 days ago
3 min read

Achieving sustained professional success often begins with correcting fundamental misunderstandings about action and motivation. Francois Esterhuizen provides a structured process to establish clarity and align internal core beliefs with external ambitions, generating sustainable momentum.

The impeccable accuracy of a finely crafted mechanical watch is an excellent metaphor for sustained momentum towards your goals.

When professionals get stuck, the cause is often not a flaw in ambition, but a structural confusion between the three layers of professional achievement:

The want (your big dream): The inspiring vision of a life you want (for example, reaching a point where you're earning double what you need to cover all of your expenses each month).
The goal (the setting): These are the practical, measurable milestones that you must reach - the purchase of a specific asset, or the securing of a two-month cash reserve. Goals are the necessary, external check-ins on the path to the Big Dream.
The identity statement (the mainspring and escapement): This is the crucial, hidden regulating mechanism. It is the core belief about who you need to be for the goals to be a natural, effortless expression of your character.

In a watch, the escapement regulates the flow of energy from the mainspring, turning stored power into sustained, accurate movement. If the escapement is compromised, the entire system is thrown.

Your identity is this escapement. If you are operating from a belief such as, "I can't stand boredom," the mechanism will force a split focus, seeking any distraction over the consistent, boring work of the process.

If it sounds like, "I hate disappointing people," you will find yourself stuck on the whims of other people's expectations, compromising the time and energy needed for your goals.

In this misaligned state, the external effort you apply only reinforces the existing friction, keeping you stuck.

The process is the goal

A common trap is focusing too intensely on the goal. Instead of being an inspiration it becomes a burden because it makes any important, remotely tedious work now feel boring in comparison to the dream, and the only reward you get is when you arrive.

To maintain sustainable momentum requires a shift in mindset: the process is the goal.

Don't crush on the future. Fall in love with the process.

Identifying the underlying beliefs and identity statements that are keeping your stuck and upgrading them are how you calibrate your escapement.

Instead of trying to force an outcome, you work towards becoming the person who naturally achieves it.

If your goal is an income two times your base needs, the belief "I hate boredom" is going to actively sabotage you. But something like "I am an expert at securing high-quality contracts" reframes your daily actions as an expression of who you already are, making the action feel inevitable rather than a chore.

These beliefs don't have to be true. Their goal is to shape the way you see yourself and in turn, how you take each step towards your goal.

Generating sustainable momentum

The external results you see are merely the hands on the watch face. They reflect the hidden work. Your success is not built on surges of effort or past outcomes, but by the relentless, quiet consistency of your internal mechanism.

Commit to calibrating your identity. It is the hidden work that makes the public achievement look inevitable.

Recognised as a trusted and sought-after clarity and leadership coach, Francois Esterhuizen works from Stellenbosch with South African professionals worldwide. His work empowers individuals and leaders to transform emotional resistance into clarity, sustained momentum, and meaningful impact.