I know this something we usually talk about in January, but it’s actually PERFECT for March. Why? Because it’s about this time of year that the majority of us throw in the towel on our New Year’s Resolutions. It’s easy to give our goals a few enthusiastic bursts of attention early in the year. But as life gets busy and our goals begin to challenge us, it’s easy to rationalize, to forget, or worse – define ourselves as incapable of reaching the goals that help us to live our Best Lives.
Happy Gals, there is a better way. Often without our awareness, we stand in the way of our own success. As one of the Franklin Covey Gurus, today I published “5 Reasons Why You Aren’t Achieving Your Goals.” But I couldn’t stop at 5. Here are five more. And here’s the best news – these steps are simple. When it comes to creating results, I’ve found it’s often just a little tweak that can make a big difference.
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Five Reasons You aren’t Achieving Your Goals
You set a goal you “should” do instead of what you really WANT to do.
There’s no way around it – if your heart isn’t in it, it isn’t going to happen. I’ve noticed that it is particularly easy for us as women to aspire to certain things that aren’t true desires. We feel pressure to look and act a certain way. If you are setting the same goals year after year, stop and ask yourself if there are more important things to be focusing on. It’s ok to not decorate your house, or not fit back into the jeans you wore before you had a baby. Don’t buckle to the pressure to be someone you’re not. You know what they say…”Be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of someone else.”
You haven’t created any accountability for yourself.
By design, goals take you out of your comfort zone. If it was easy, you wouldn’t need to set a goal to nudge you along. Because life is busy and there are many things competing for your time, it is easy to let your goals, even when they are a priority, slip to the back burner. Ask a spouse, a sister, or a trusted friend to hold you accountable to your goals. Then return the favor. Some of the most productive eras of my life have been because of the faithful follow up of a good accountability partner.
Your goals aren’t broken down into small enough steps.
As a coach, this is one of the most common problems I see with my clients. It’s so easy to do – I even fall into this trap myself! The red flag that your goal is too big is when you carry over the same tasks week after week. This usually indicates that you don’t know what the first step is, or you are trying to accomplish too much of it at once. Identify your next action, and often that single step will propel you into a series of steps that will bring tremendous progress. Another strategy is schedule a regular time at the beginning of each week to break down your goals into realistic action items. Remember, you eat the elephant a bite at a time.
You aren’t stimulating the visual side of your brain.
Our brain is made up of two complimentary sides. When it comes to goal setting, we often shift into left-brain processing, using words and linear thinking to set goals. This plays an important role, but it doesn’t tap into the creative, visual, right side of the brain. This side feels and thinks in pictures, and responds to visual reminders. To reinforce your goals, try printing out pictures that represent what you want. Look at them before bed and when you wake up in the morning. Imagine yourself living in a world where these goals are already a reality. This softens your resistance to change and allows the reality of your goals to feel more comfortable.
Not believing in yourself
Our reality is shaped by our beliefs. If deep down you don’t feel worthy or capable of accomplishing your goals, you will find a way to sabotage yourself – even if it is subconscious. If you find yourself doubting yourself, confront your beliefs. Ask yourself if they are really true. Replace negative beliefs with positive affirmations, and post them next to your goals. Repeat them to yourself each day. The momentum can slowly begin to shift as you believe that you can create Your Best Life.
Still having trouble with some of your goals? Please post a comment here. I would love to respond to you. I love to tackle a good challenge!
