Oh boy, I have some BIG goals this year. I have big goals for the Expansive Woman Project, for my health and fitness, and for my home as I turn my cute little 1-bedroom house into a cute, slightly less little 3-bedroom house. In January of course, I felt positive, energized and quite certain I could achieve all of these goals.
So now that Q1 is over, and how am I doing?
Mostly okay. But not great, the house is coming along, the business is doing well, but I always think I should be doing more, and I’ve made zero progress on the health and fitness goal. Unfortunately, I am the undeniable Queen of the Snooze Button.
It’s frustrating.
We've all been there. You start the year brimming with ambition, setting goals that will propel you towards a better, brighter you. But then, somewhere between the beginning of January and the end of March, those aspirations start to gather dust. Why is it so damn difficult to achieve our goals?
The answer, of course, isn't simple. There are a multitude of reasons why our ambitions fall by the wayside. But fear not, fellow goal-setter! By understanding these roadblocks, we can equip ourselves with the tools to finally bridge the gap between intention and achievement.
1. Setting Sail Without a Map: Lack of Planning
Imagine trying to navigate a vast ocean without a compass or a chart. That's what tackling a goal without a plan feels like. When your goal is vague, or when you aren’t realistic about what it will take to achieve it, you’re essentially adrift. This can lead to frustration and ultimately, giving up.
Need a plan? Our free (yup, free!) goal setting guide, From Vision to Action, will help you get where you want to go.
2. The Procrastination Monster: Why We Keep Hitting Snooze
Telling yourself, "I'll do it tomorrow" or my personal favorite, “I’ll start again on Monday”, can quickly snowball, derailing even the most well-intentioned goals. This often stems from a perceived lack of time or energy for the task at hand.
Here’s the funny thing though, I’ve never regretted working out. Not once. I always feel better, calmer, and like I’ve actually achieved something for the day.
Sometimes, we just have to get on with it. We have to force ourselves to feel uncomfortable for a moment or two so we can feel fantastic later.
Mel Robbins has written a whole book about this topic. She recommends the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 method. Simply count down from 5 to 1 and then do the thing. Just do it! I used this technique this morning, and guess what, I worked out for the first time in 2 weeks.
3. The Fear Factor: How Our Inner Critic Holds Us Back
The fear of failure can be a powerful deterrent. The possibility of falling short can be so overwhelming that it stops us from even trying. But remember, failure is often just a stepping stone on the path to success.
Shift your perspective: view setbacks as learning experiences and use them to refine your approach.
A great book to help you make this shift is Mindset by Carol Dwek.
4. Shiny Object Syndrome: When Too Many Goals Become No Goals
Spreading yourself too thin is a recipe for goal-achievement disaster. Juggling multiple, competing goals can lead to feeling overwhelmed and scattered. Focus on what truly matters. Prioritize a few key goals and dedicate your energy to making those a reality.
Once again, our free Goal Setting Guide will help you narrow down what you're chasing to 2 or 3 solid, achievable goals.
5. Lack of Commitment: When the Fire Just Isn't Burning
Sometimes, the reason we don't achieve our goals is a simple lack of commitment. Deep down, we may not be truly invested in the outcome. Ask yourself: is this goal truly aligned with my values and desires? If the answer is no, it might be time to re-evaluate and choose something that sparks your passion.
Here’s a thought – just drop it. Drop it with confidence. Drop it with a smile on your face. Just drop it. See how much lighter you feel? Now, what can you direct all that new energy toward?
Will there still be bumps in the road? Of course! That’s part of life. But by understanding the roadblocks and equipping yourself with the right strategies, you might surprise yourself with how much you can achieve.
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