Are Your Goals Setting You Up For Failure?

When a new year starts, we're filled with motivation and excitement to finally achieve all those things we've been putting off. ??

We set big, ambitious goals and swear this is going to be the year we make it happen.

But fast forward a few months and that motivation starts to fade.

And before we know it, we're back to our old habits and our goals are long forgotten.

"According to Forbes, nearly 80% of people admitted to abandoning their New Year’s resolutions by February, every year."

Now, this not only holds us back from living the life we want for ourselves, but we also suffer a blow to our self-confidence and motivation.

We start to believe that we're not capable of making positive changes in our lives. And that's when we fall into the trap of procrastination and self-doubt.

But why is it that we can start off so strong and then fizzle out? ????

Well, it's not like we're incapable of achieving our goals…

We're just setting ourselves up for failure from the start!

We set goals that are too broad or unrealistic. We don't have a clear plan of action or a system to stay motivated. And soon enough, we're back to square one.

But it doesn't have to be this way!

Here’s what you can do instead to make sure you don’t fall into these common pitfalls and actually hit your goals.

1. Start With "Why" Rather Than "What"

Starting with a "why" rather than a "what" can be a powerful approach to goal-setting.

This means that instead of focusing on the specific outcome you want to achieve, you should first identify the underlying reasons WHY you want to achieve that goal.

This approach can help you gain a deeper understanding of your motivations and make it easier for you to stay focused and committed over time.

For example: If your goal is to exercise regularly, asking yourself "why do I want to exercise?" can help you understand that your motivations might be to feel healthier, improve your self-confidence, or have more energy.

Another example: If your goal is to save money, rather than focusing on "what" amount you want to save, start by asking yourself WHY you want to save… Is it to have financial stability, to travel, or is it for your kid’s future?

As Simon Sinek says:

"Always start with why, and the rest will follow."

So by focusing on the reason behind the goal, you are more likely to stay motivated even when you encounter challenges or obstacles along the way.

2. Start With A Long-Term Vision

When setting goals, it's important to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve in the long term.

This will give you a sense of purpose and direction and make it easier to stay motivated and focused.

Like, take the case of the two builders…

One is just cracking away at a rock. And the other is building a church that can last a thousand years.

Which is more inspiring to have you take action?! I think you get the idea.

So, to define your long-term vision, ask yourself questions like:

What do I want to achieve in the next 5, 10, or 20 years?

What kind of impact do I want to have on the world?

What kind of life do I want to live?

Once you have a clear understanding of your long-term vision, you can then work backward and set intermediate and short-term goals that align with it.

For example, let's say your long-term vision is to become a successful author. To achieve this goal, you might set intermediate goals such as writing a book proposal, completing a rough draft, and securing a publishing deal.

To reach these intermediate goals, you might set short-term goals such as writing 500 words a day, seeking feedback from trusted friends and family, and submitting your work to writing workshops.

And to quote Steve Maraboli…

"A man with a clear vision and focused efforts will always surpass a man with an abundance of resources but little direction."

That’s why by setting a crystal clear long-term vision, and taking small dedicated steps to move towards it… you massively increase your chances to achieve your overall desired outcome.

3. Optimize Your Environment

Optimizing your environment is a powerful way to support and enhance your goal-setting efforts.

You may think that you control most of your choices, but the truth is that a large portion of your actions every day is simply a response to the environment around you.

The food on your kitchen counter, the items on your desk at work, where you put your workout clothes and gear — they all impact your behavior and habits in one way or another.

And you can use this to your advantage by creating an environment that encourages and supports the habits and actions you need to take to reach your goals.

Think about the things in your daily routine that are most likely to impact your behavior and habits, and make changes to those areas that will make it easier for you to form good habits and stick to your goals.

This can include things like the people you spend time with, the physical spaces you spend time in, and the tools and resources you use.

For example, if your goal is to exercise regularly, you can put your workout clothes and shoes next to your bed so that you are reminded to exercise first thing in the morning. Or if your goal is to read more, you can create a cozy reading nook in your home.

Another way to optimize your environment is by eliminating distractions and negative influences.

This might mean unsubscribing from emails or social media accounts that consistently take away from your focus, or limiting your exposure to certain people or situations that drain your energy.

To put this into perspective, Brian Tracy said:

"The environment you surround yourself with has a profound impact on your success. Seek out environments that support and encourage your goals, and you will be well on your way to success."

And if you follow the action steps I shared, you can create an environment that is supportive of your goals and allows you to stay focused and motivated.

So there you have it!

Setting and achieving your goals doesn't have to be a frustrating experience.

By starting with a "why," defining your long-term vision, optimizing your environment, and having a clear plan of action… You can increase your chances of success and actually make those positive changes you want to see in your life.

Remember, it's okay if you stumble along the way. (We all do!)

What's important is that you don't give up and keep moving forward toward your goals.

And when you do finally achieve that goal you've been working on…

Don’t forget to celebrate and reward yourself for your hard work. You deserve it!