It may come as a surprise but most of us do not have clear, written, and well thought-out goals. Most people have a general idea of what they want to do – maybe lose weight, be healthier, go back to school, or get a promotion – but if it’s lacking in specifics, the goal will be more of a challenge than normal.
What gets people is not their inability to make goals. Making goals is the easy part. It’s their inability to meet them.
Goals require that we be specific vs. daydreaming. Just wanting something doesn’t make it happen. But clarifying it and breaking through obstacles will get you where you are trying to go.
Here’s how goals help us:
- Goals Give Us Forward Motion
- Goals Give Us Structure
- Goals Keep Us Accountable
- Goals Expand Our Comfort Zone
- Goals turn the Impossible into Possible
Goals Help Us Conquer Mountains
It’s easy to feel discouraged when you’re staring at a massive, seemingly insurmountable mountain.
Most of us have big dreams that sometimes seem impossible to accomplish.
Right-sizing our goals transform mountains to hills and hills to slight inclines. Eventually we’re walking on an even path until we get ready to tackle the next mountain.
But one secret to meeting goals is understanding what obstacles will get in the way. When you understand what can block your path to success, your action plan is stronger, you have greater fortitude, and that leads to a victorious ending.
Ten Things That Block Your Success
Reason # 1: You Have Fuzzy Goals and No Clear Game Plan
Do you know specifically what you want to achieve? Generalities won’t cut it. It’s the specifics that trip people up. If you’re wandering aimlessly down a path with no clear destination in mind, who knows where you’ll end up. SIRI can’t always help you with that and map the way. You have to know your real destination. Then you can break it down into bite size pieces. Create systems and processes to help you work in daily and weekly increments. That’s how you do it!
Reason #2: You Don’t Rezone Your Comfort Zone
A comfort zone isn’t always bad. Sometimes you need it — that place where you feel secure. But, when you stay in it too long, you restrict your life to a self-imposed boundary. It’s the metaphorical area that squeezes out success.
The only thing that happens in your comfort zone is that you continue to live as you’ve always lived. No new changes. Tomorrow becomes next week. Next week turns into next month. Next month leads to next year. Then before you know it, five years have gone by and you’re still the same. The very same.
Reason #3: You Try to Light a Fire with a Wet Match
What’s it take to light a fire?
Not a wet match. But, you still need to have some catalyst for ignition before the fire burns. You have to have some spark.
Same thing with goals. Something needs to get you going. It’s hard to meet goals without motivation but it’s not impossible. People do it all of the time. Maybe it’s an oncoming deadline or the pain-in-the-rear boss that forces you to get things done.
Motivation is what gives you an incentive for action but inspiration, ah, inspiration breathes life into it. Inspiration is that inner drive that keeps you moving. When you’re inspired, you don’t need something to get you moving. You do it because it’s what you want, not because you were forced into it.
Reason # 4: It’s Hard and Old Habits Die Harder
Change isn’t easy. Let’s face it, old habits die hard. Most goals we set tend to impact our lifestyle. Be prepared to break up with the habit that’s been living with you for many years.
Meaningful goals take considerable time and effort. Don’t set a goal without thinking through the challenges you will face. You have to forecast the difficulties so that you are prepared to meet them when they inevitably arise.
Reason # 5: You Set Too Many Goals at One Time
If you set too many goals at once, it’s overwhelming. Personalize and prioritize a plan for goal attainment that’s unique to you. Determine the one goal you are focused on and move forward with that one goal only. As time goes on, add additional goals. Goals take time and energy so spend your time wisely on what counts and what is important to you.
Reason #6: You Have Bad Influence
Align yourself with people that can help you succeed. This is so important that I am going to say it again: Align yourself with people that can help you succeed.
You are who you associate with — Period. Surround yourself with people who reach their goals and with people who encourage you every step of the way.
Your supporters will cheer you on and hold you accountable. Your deflectors hold you down.
Reason # 7: Your Goal Wasn’t Tied to a “Higher Purpose”
You decide what “higher purpose” means to you. If the goal really means something to you, you’ll be far more likely to achieve it.
Goals can be set on anything imaginable but if you don’t have a higher purpose or intent, it makes it easier to give up once the initial motivation and excitement wears off. Goals should be relevant and meaningful so you can persevere when the going gets tough.
Reason # 8: You Don’t Have Proper Commitment to the Goal
As with everything in life, you receive mediocre results if you don’t give it your all. Commitment is crucial. The worst thing to do it to set a goal because you feel like you should without tapping into the deeper reasons of why. If there’s no emotional connection to a goal, it’s going to be hard to get yourself to achieve it.
Reason # 9: You Are Not In It to Win It
If you don’t think you are going to succeed, you won’t. There is something very real about positive thinking. Think it. Believe it. Do it. You can be either optimistic or pessimistic about your future but which belief will lead you to a happier and more fulfilled life?
Reason # 10: You Lack Belief in Yourself
Winners expect to win.
You deserve to be successful. There is no reason not to have what you want. Goal achievement doesn’t have to be an elusive target. Balance your goals and avoid the mistakes that hinder results. You can achieve any goal you set for yourself and reach new levels of personal and professional success.
Life changes the moment you decide it changes. Without action, nothing happens. But, you have to want it. You really have to want it.
So, dig in! Be a goal-digger.
To receive similar content, “Like” us on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/niagarabuzz.ca
