What’s wrong with goals & why they don’t work

Which one are you?

·      January 1st and you just made a New Year’s Resolution.

·      Review the last quarter and you’re pushing for a better next one.

·      Went to an inspiring seminar or woke up from a powerful dream and want to make it a reality.

Timing is only that. Timing. It’s a starter switch that fires a pistol at the starting line, waiting for you to get to the finish line. So, it really doesn't matter if we're ringing in a New Year or at the end or anywhere in the middel of a calendar. When it comes to changing from where we are now to a new then, it is the start of a new point. Let's move on with the assumption that you have a new idea you want to build, a new norm you want to move to, or, any "goal" you aspire to reach.

We have the initial motivation and excitement. We have the best intentions. But how often do we even get up from the start position? Or, how often do we burst out with one frantic push and then realize this wasn’t a 100 yard dash. In fact, after an entire lap, it turns out this was a marathon and you’ve run out of steam. In our own race to the end-point, we often face these have constantly moving finish-lines. We may think just a few more steps, but then the target moves. Sound familiar? There goes another New Year's Resolution...

This is the problem when we have visions. By no means am I saying that we should not have goals to strive for, but we have to rely on more to keep us moving. The ribbon at the end is not pulling us. Rather, we must recognize and accept that it is our continued energy, the direction of our own steps during the race that gets us there. The ribbon is merely the reward. 

Why goals don’t work:

1.     Weak Goals: When the perception of the final result is not strong enough to continue to inspire, we lose motivation as soon as our steam runs low. Too often we give up because we believe the reward no longer is worth the effort.

• SOLUTION: As you establish your goal, challenge yourself how important it really is to you. Test it with why, which, when, where. Imagine what it will be like with this goal in the present. You still want it?

2.     Ambiguous Goals: We set out on our plan but lose our way because, either the goal is not clear enough, or, it transforms into something we didn’t intend.

• SOLUTION: Narrow the goal into a tight description. Use exact numbers, times, visual descriptors and even the result expected once the goal is achieved. Could this goal be confused with another? If so, narrow it down even more.

3.     Multi-Tiered Goals: There’s more to many goals than we realize. You can’t harvest the fruit if you don’t even have a plantation. Then, we lose our way and run out of energy, time and money on all the first tier goals. Then there is nothing left for the intended goal. 

• SOLUTION: Determine the resources you need to achieve the goal. Do you have these resources available or will be able to access them when needed? If not, redefine your goal. Consider resources in time, money and energy as well as equipment, skills, services, marketing, etc.

More tips for how to get the results you want:

1.     Perspective. Yes, you want a clear end-point (aka “goal”) which will be the reward – or the result of all your actions and progress. The sooner you switch your emphasis onto the “How” as opposed to the “What,” you launch your forward moving momentum.

2.     Building blocks. Use strategic planning to establish multiple small do-able tasks (mini-goals if you will). Make sure they are (1) attainable within your means, and, (2) in-line with your final intended result. Recall the story of the tortoise and the hare. Action steps may be small, but they are significant. Each accomplishment lets you celebrate a success. 

3.     Time-Line. As much advanced as possible, establish a written time-line for each step all the way through to the intended final end-point. Track and adjust your progress daily! Find an accountability partner if needed. 

You can do this. Celebrate the small accomplishments as, collectively, they are what feed directly into your final results. 

Dreaming is what we can do best naturally. Let's take it further. Bring your visions to fruition with qualified intention. Build and launch – this is what delivers us what we really want. 

If you would like more information on bringing your dreams and goals to fruition, check out https://bit.ly/2qfsgW8.

Dr. Ingrid Pyka is an executive business consultant that has helped companies and entrepreneurs find success in their goals, guiding them through millions of dollars in increased revenues. If you would like to book Ingrid to keynote your next event, contact [email protected].

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