Goal setting is much more than simply saying you want something to happen. Unless you clearly define exactly what you want and understand why you want it the first place, your odds of success are considerably reduced. By avoiding the goal setting traps you can set goals with confidence and enjoy the satisfaction that comes along with knowing you achieved what you set out to do. So let's take a look at some of the biggest traps that need to be avoided.
1. You've set goals that don't motivate you. When you set goals for yourself, it is important that they motivate you (yes, you!) This means making sure that they are important to you, and that you feel there is value in achieving them. If you have little interest in the outcome, or they are irrelevant given the larger picture you have created for yourself, then the chances of you putting in the work to make them happen are slim. Why? Because goal achievement requires commitment, so to maximize the likelihood of success, you need to feel a sense of urgency and have an "I must do this" attitude. When you don't have this, you risk putting off what you need to do to make the goal a reality. So do your goals actually motivate you?
2. The goals you set are not SMART. By SMART, we don't mean your intelligence level. We mean specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-based goals. In order for you to avoid this next goal setting trap, you should assess your goal and see if it follows the SMART format.
Set specific goals. Your goal must be clear and well defined. Vague or generalized goals are unhelpful because they don't provide sufficient direction. Remember, you need goals to show you the way.
Is your goal measurable? Almost any goal is measurable if you have clearly defined it and set a specific route. When defining your goal you should clarify timelines and dates so you are able to measure your success. For example, if your goal is to lose weight, you must think about how much weight you want to lose and by when. Set dates along your pathway to success that is measurable such as, "I want to lose my first 10 pounds in one month".
Setting achievable goals can be tricky for some. You want to set goals that are challenging and not met too easily but you also need to be realistic. If you set yourself an unrealistic goal you may have no hope in attaining, especially if it is something out of your control, and you are setting yourself up for failure. Setting yourself up for failure will only lead to disappointment, frustration, and eat away at your self-confidence. On the contrary, if your goal is too easily achieved you may feel disappointed once you do accomplish it because you did not have to work that hard for it. This disappointment may pave the way later for a resistance in setting goals since you did not receive the feeling of triumph you expected. By finding the balance between realism and challenge, you set yourself up for a demanding climb but a rewarding pay out.
Your steps are not significant to your progress. When you outline your goals, they should relate directly to the big picture. If you can keep your daily steps parallel to your ultimate career and life goals, your moves will keep your eye on the prize. When you set irrelevant or contradictory goals, your time and energy will be wasted on activities that get you nowhere.
Set time-based goals. You goals must have a deadline. Again, this means that you know when you can celebrate success. When you are working on a deadline, your sense of urgency increases and achievement will come that much quicker.
3. You haven't set your goals in writing (they're just in your head). The physical act of writing down a goal makes it real and tangible. You have no excuse for forgetting about it. As you write, use the word "will" instead of "would like to" or "might." For example, "I will increase my average grade in Maths to an A this year," not "I would like to increase my average grade in Maths to an A this year." The first goal statement has power and you can "see" yourself increasing the grade, the second lacks passion and gives you an excuse if you get side-tracked or don't achieve it.
4. You have no real action plan. Many people feel this is unnecessary, yet those who are successful recognize this step as essential to making progress. You may feel you have your sights firmly set on the big picture, but if you have no daily goals set to help you achieve incrementally, you will lose focus and have trouble knowing exactly what needs to be done. When you allow yourself to check off the smaller steps little by little each day, you will find yourself striding toward the finish line with an even, realistic pace.
5. You're using all-or-nothing goals. Being specific and measurable is important, but goals such as "finish a marathon" or "lose 50 pounds" can set up a pass/fail mindset and failure can lead to a negative spiral. If you do set audacious, long-term goals, make sure to recognize that you may experience setbacks. If you lose 47 pounds instead of 50 have you failed? Or have you succeeded?
6. You've simply given up. Remember, goals may shift as you learn something new about your path, or if certain deliverables become impossible. Even just a few minutes a week spent editing your goals and re-aligning them to your big-picture desires will help to keep you on track. Your goals will grow with you - they shouldn't work against you. When you stop to review your goals, be sure that they are still relevant to you, important to your progress, and maintain your sense of urgency. Never give up - if your goals outgrow you, they must be readjusted!
1. You've set goals that don't motivate you. When you set goals for yourself, it is important that they motivate you (yes, you!) This means making sure that they are important to you, and that you feel there is value in achieving them. If you have little interest in the outcome, or they are irrelevant given the larger picture you have created for yourself, then the chances of you putting in the work to make them happen are slim. Why? Because goal achievement requires commitment, so to maximize the likelihood of success, you need to feel a sense of urgency and have an "I must do this" attitude. When you don't have this, you risk putting off what you need to do to make the goal a reality. So do your goals actually motivate you?
2. The goals you set are not SMART. By SMART, we don't mean your intelligence level. We mean specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-based goals. In order for you to avoid this next goal setting trap, you should assess your goal and see if it follows the SMART format.
Set specific goals. Your goal must be clear and well defined. Vague or generalized goals are unhelpful because they don't provide sufficient direction. Remember, you need goals to show you the way.
Is your goal measurable? Almost any goal is measurable if you have clearly defined it and set a specific route. When defining your goal you should clarify timelines and dates so you are able to measure your success. For example, if your goal is to lose weight, you must think about how much weight you want to lose and by when. Set dates along your pathway to success that is measurable such as, "I want to lose my first 10 pounds in one month".
Setting achievable goals can be tricky for some. You want to set goals that are challenging and not met too easily but you also need to be realistic. If you set yourself an unrealistic goal you may have no hope in attaining, especially if it is something out of your control, and you are setting yourself up for failure. Setting yourself up for failure will only lead to disappointment, frustration, and eat away at your self-confidence. On the contrary, if your goal is too easily achieved you may feel disappointed once you do accomplish it because you did not have to work that hard for it. This disappointment may pave the way later for a resistance in setting goals since you did not receive the feeling of triumph you expected. By finding the balance between realism and challenge, you set yourself up for a demanding climb but a rewarding pay out.
Your steps are not significant to your progress. When you outline your goals, they should relate directly to the big picture. If you can keep your daily steps parallel to your ultimate career and life goals, your moves will keep your eye on the prize. When you set irrelevant or contradictory goals, your time and energy will be wasted on activities that get you nowhere.
Set time-based goals. You goals must have a deadline. Again, this means that you know when you can celebrate success. When you are working on a deadline, your sense of urgency increases and achievement will come that much quicker.
3. You haven't set your goals in writing (they're just in your head). The physical act of writing down a goal makes it real and tangible. You have no excuse for forgetting about it. As you write, use the word "will" instead of "would like to" or "might." For example, "I will increase my average grade in Maths to an A this year," not "I would like to increase my average grade in Maths to an A this year." The first goal statement has power and you can "see" yourself increasing the grade, the second lacks passion and gives you an excuse if you get side-tracked or don't achieve it.
4. You have no real action plan. Many people feel this is unnecessary, yet those who are successful recognize this step as essential to making progress. You may feel you have your sights firmly set on the big picture, but if you have no daily goals set to help you achieve incrementally, you will lose focus and have trouble knowing exactly what needs to be done. When you allow yourself to check off the smaller steps little by little each day, you will find yourself striding toward the finish line with an even, realistic pace.
5. You're using all-or-nothing goals. Being specific and measurable is important, but goals such as "finish a marathon" or "lose 50 pounds" can set up a pass/fail mindset and failure can lead to a negative spiral. If you do set audacious, long-term goals, make sure to recognize that you may experience setbacks. If you lose 47 pounds instead of 50 have you failed? Or have you succeeded?
6. You've simply given up. Remember, goals may shift as you learn something new about your path, or if certain deliverables become impossible. Even just a few minutes a week spent editing your goals and re-aligning them to your big-picture desires will help to keep you on track. Your goals will grow with you - they shouldn't work against you. When you stop to review your goals, be sure that they are still relevant to you, important to your progress, and maintain your sense of urgency. Never give up - if your goals outgrow you, they must be readjusted!
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