Why People Fail at Goal Setting

It is my desire to make sure you get the type of information that will propel you forward to reaching your goals, whatever they may be.

I read an article (5 Reasons Most People Fail at Goal Setting, Dennis A. Kelly, 2008) that explained why people fail at goal setting. There are some “experts” who propose that goal setting doesn’t work.

Well, its not that goal setting does not work, but the fact that individuals do not know how or they make mistakes in setting them. Hopefully, this month’s article will offer some insight to what NOT to do.

“The reason goal setting fails is because the goal setter has not followed the steps necessary to establish clear, focused goals that create a roadmap for success” (Kelley, 2008).

Here are the main reasons why goal setting does not “work.”

1. Generic goals. These type of goals do not give you a clear picture of what you are trying to accomplish.

For example, “I want to buy a car” is too basic. Now, “I want to buy a BMW 700 series, with metallic blue exterior with beige interior, a navigation system, etc.” allows you to actually SEE what you are trying to attain. In short, it is SPECIFIC.

2. Inability to measure results. How will you know you are getting closer to your goal if you cannot measure your progress?

Being specific allows you to measure how close you are to reaching your goal. So if you make your goals measurable, they will be more powerful.

3. Setting unachievable goals. Goals that are out of reach will leave you frustrated and discouraged, which is why you’ll probably give up thus not achieving them at all.

Instead, make goals that make you learn, grow and challenge you to reach them.

4. Setting irrelevant goals. Goals that you set should be connected to your long term plans for your career and life.

There should be a point to the goals you are setting. Why waste your time chasing unimportant goals?

5. No timeframe for achievement. If you don’t set a timeframe by which to reach your goal, that makes it too easy to not take action to complete.

By setting a timeframe you, not only, create accountability to take action but also allows you to make adjustments and corrections along the way. This will also give you a good measuring stick (#2) towards your progress.

Other than not setting goals at all, these five lead the pack of reasons why people often fail at setting goals. Of course, now that you know why people do fail there is no reason why YOU should fail.

One final note worth mentioning is to put your goals in writing. Doing so will allow you to take your goal from a thought to action steps to commitment and eventually to accomplishment.

With a little discipline, time and a lot of commitment, reaching your goals will bring you a sense of accomplishment and not to mention, confidence that you can do anything you set your mind to.

Beginning With The End

Here we are, nearly through the first quarter of 2009. Are you where you thought you’d be? Have you accomplished what you set out to accomplish one year ago? Are you content with where you are?

These questions, among others, may have crossed your mind since the beginning of the year. Nevertheless, take a serious look at yourself in relation to these questions. Use your answers to begin the building process for this year (if you haven't already).

I want you to make a few commitments - serious commitments - that when you look back at 2009, you can say that you have made progress from the previous year.

The areas in which you choose are those where you want to see change: marriage, employment, finances, health, etc. Of course this is a short list but you know best where you want (and need) change.

One of the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” is ‘Begin with the End.’ In short, this habit posits that if you know how you wish the end of your life to turn out, you can create the necessary steps to get you there. In other words, where would you like to be one year from now?

Set a few commitments (translated, goals) that will put you in a position to hit the targets you (and significant others) have established. Will you reach them all? That depends on how much you commit to your commitments and the action you take to reach them. Can you visualize yourself in your ideal job one year from now? How about with less debt?

Remember, without vision the people perish. A step further is, a vision without action is just a picture - begin with the end for new beginnings.