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.
Your goals aren't specific. Concise is key, so when you set up a list of indistinct goals, you're working against yourself because you will not have a specific course. Always remember: your goals should show you the path to your progress.
Your goals aren't quantifiable. Your goals should be measurable in dates, totals - in numbers. You will find comfort in knowing that your percentages toward achievement are growing gradually each day, so if your goal is something as general as 'learn more', how on Earth will you see when you've achieved this? When your plan of action is devoid of quantification, you will lose out on the feeling of celebration that arises when you make progress.
Set achievable goals. If you set a goal that you have no hope of achieving, you will only demoralize yourself and erode your confidence. However, resist the urge to set goals that are too easy. Accomplishing a goal that you didn't have to work hard for can be anticlimactic at best, and can also make you fear setting future goals that carry a risk of non-achievement. By setting realistic yet challenging goals, you hit the balance you need. These are the types of goals that require you to "raise the bar" and they bring the greatest personal satisfaction.
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.
You have no deadline. You must be aware of your successes in order to maintain a good self-image. Having time-based objectives keep you working with a sense of urgency that will find your progress coming that much more quickly.
3. Your goals aren't set in stone. We can say the goals in our head over and over again but writing them down makes them real and gives them power. If possible, you should even write it down in a place you see every day and can update to keep track of your success. When writing your goals down make sure to use positive and powerful words such as "will" or "can". Setting a goal that is worded poorly leaves an open window for excuses. Instead of, "I would like to save $1,000", you should write, "I will save $1,000", or, "I can save $1,000". This will lead you to envisioning yourself hitting your goal and remind you of the passion needed to 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. Your goals are all or nothing. When you have set more challenging and long-term goals such as wanting to lose a significant amount of weight or finish a marathon under a certain time, you may be setting yourself up for a negative outcome. It is important to define how you will feel if you get very close to your goal but not exactly meet it. The pass or fail mindset can be damaging and cause a negative spiral of self-defeat. For example, if you want to finish a marathon in less than 3 hours, what happens when you finish at 3 hours and 10 minutes? Are you going to beat yourself up or consider that a success?
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.
Your goals aren't specific. Concise is key, so when you set up a list of indistinct goals, you're working against yourself because you will not have a specific course. Always remember: your goals should show you the path to your progress.
Your goals aren't quantifiable. Your goals should be measurable in dates, totals - in numbers. You will find comfort in knowing that your percentages toward achievement are growing gradually each day, so if your goal is something as general as 'learn more', how on Earth will you see when you've achieved this? When your plan of action is devoid of quantification, you will lose out on the feeling of celebration that arises when you make progress.
Set achievable goals. If you set a goal that you have no hope of achieving, you will only demoralize yourself and erode your confidence. However, resist the urge to set goals that are too easy. Accomplishing a goal that you didn't have to work hard for can be anticlimactic at best, and can also make you fear setting future goals that carry a risk of non-achievement. By setting realistic yet challenging goals, you hit the balance you need. These are the types of goals that require you to "raise the bar" and they bring the greatest personal satisfaction.
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.
You have no deadline. You must be aware of your successes in order to maintain a good self-image. Having time-based objectives keep you working with a sense of urgency that will find your progress coming that much more quickly.
3. Your goals aren't set in stone. We can say the goals in our head over and over again but writing them down makes them real and gives them power. If possible, you should even write it down in a place you see every day and can update to keep track of your success. When writing your goals down make sure to use positive and powerful words such as "will" or "can". Setting a goal that is worded poorly leaves an open window for excuses. Instead of, "I would like to save $1,000", you should write, "I will save $1,000", or, "I can save $1,000". This will lead you to envisioning yourself hitting your goal and remind you of the passion needed to 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. Your goals are all or nothing. When you have set more challenging and long-term goals such as wanting to lose a significant amount of weight or finish a marathon under a certain time, you may be setting yourself up for a negative outcome. It is important to define how you will feel if you get very close to your goal but not exactly meet it. The pass or fail mindset can be damaging and cause a negative spiral of self-defeat. For example, if you want to finish a marathon in less than 3 hours, what happens when you finish at 3 hours and 10 minutes? Are you going to beat yourself up or consider that a success?
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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