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1.4 Seven Deadly Sins of Goal Setting
So, you’ve committed to seeing the goal-setting journey through (or at least finding out some more about it), but there are still some pitfalls to watch out for. I am sure there are more than 7, but these are the biggies:
1. Not putting goals in writing
“Out of sight, out of mind” is the best way to explain why goals and the supporting action plans need to be put in writing. This is also why you’ve started writing a key message list – the best way to reinforce key concepts and your commitment to your goals is to have them written down where you can read them regularly [daily!]. This is also the reason that new-years resolutions don’t work – they are rarely written down. Out of sight, out of mind!
2. Being unrealistic
Just because you’ve written down a goal doesn’t mean it is just going to magically happen. You need to take action to achieve your goals, and the only way you’ll be able to get there is if the goals are reasonable and realistic in the first place. If you set unrealistic goals, you are just setting yourself up for failure.
The biggest culprit here is setting unrealistic deadlines for achieving goals. We all know for example that you can’t lose 10 kg (20 pounds) overnight [unless you get liposuction], but most people are really optimistic about achieving other goals. How long do you think it takes to learn a new skill? Develop a new habit? Quit an old one? This is discussed more in later Chapters, but it is probably longer than you think!
The other culprit here is taking on too much at a time – remember how to eat that elephant?
And finally, there are just some things that we really can’t do – not everyone can be a prima ballerina or world-class athlete. We are all limited by our own predispositions and natural abilities. The key is to focus on your natural abilities and motivations, and use this to drive your success. This is fundamental to the goal setting process and is discussed more in later Chapters.
3. Motivations are unclear
Goals must be personal and meaningful, otherwise you’ll have no reason to achieve them. In other words, the “Why” is more important than the “What”.
Just think about the popular goal of “making more money”. As I eluded to before, this goal is baseless and meaningless unless you have a reason driven by your inner-most desires and needs. You need to ask yourself “Why do I want to earn more money?” – to keep up with the Brown’s is not a meaningful reason. To pay for private education for your kids, or to live in a safer suburb, or to buy a new car because the old one is on its death-bed – they are all meaningful reasons, because they are personal to you.
As part of the goal setting process in this workbook, you’ll discover what your motivations and drivers are so that you can set meaningful goals that you’ll just want to achieve.
4. Not having a plan
Having a meaningful goal in writing is only half the story – you need an action plan to tell you how to get there. Back to the analogy of the map – the goal is the destination, the map is how to get there. All successful missions have had a plan or strategy, so be patient and don’t just rush in, but take the time to plan the journey so you take the best route.
Don’t worry – we’ll show you how to prepare your action plans in later Chapters of this workbook.
5. Not taking action
Having a flawless plan aimed at getting you to that dream destination is not worth the paper its written on if it just sits in your draw – you must act on your plan! The plan will guide you and tell you what to do, but you still need to get off the couch and, in the words of Nike…Just Do It!
Of course, the action plan (and your goals) will be dynamic – they will change as you progress through life either as you come across road blocks and detours, or as your life changes course. This is all OK and perfectly normal, so don’t be concerned if you do make changes or even throw out your plan and start again.
6. Losing Focus
Success at achieving your goals requires focus, commitment and persistence. Sometimes your energy may be low and you’ll lose this focus, but it’s important not to give up – get back up on that horse, visualize the outcome of that dream goal and continue on your way.
To help keep you focused, try enlisting the help of a close friend or loved one or even a personal mentor to confide in through the process. You can share you successes [and failures] with them to help you grow from these experiences.
7. No Follow-Through
Goal setting is an on-going process. There is no point having a well developed, personalised set of goals with supporting action plans if it sits in your draw and never sees the light of day again. This is your road map, your life guide, and needs to be referred to constantly to make sure you’re continuing to go in the right direction.
Your priorities and therefore your goals may also change from time to time (for example if you start a family) and if this is the case, its important to sit down and go through the goal setting process again to make sure your goals still have that personal meaning to make you WANT to achieve them.
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Activity 1.4…
I want you to think about your life again. Have you had ambitions in the past that you haven’t achieved? Have you tried and failed at goal setting before? After reading the above reasons for goal setting failure, complete the following sentences:
I haven’t achieved my goals, because…..
I have achieved some of my goals because…..
Again, for every ‘deadly sin’ you think you are likely to commit, add it to your key message list. In BIG LETTERS write the opposite of the sin – for example, write “I will follow my goals through” or “I will take action on my plan”. Make sure you read this every day with conviction – the power of positive thinking is amazing, so help it keep you out of these traps.
1. Not putting goals in writing
“Out of sight, out of mind” is the best way to explain why goals and the supporting action plans need to be put in writing. This is also why you’ve started writing a key message list – the best way to reinforce key concepts and your commitment to your goals is to have them written down where you can read them regularly [daily!]. This is also the reason that new-years resolutions don’t work – they are rarely written down. Out of sight, out of mind!
2. Being unrealistic
Just because you’ve written down a goal doesn’t mean it is just going to magically happen. You need to take action to achieve your goals, and the only way you’ll be able to get there is if the goals are reasonable and realistic in the first place. If you set unrealistic goals, you are just setting yourself up for failure.
The biggest culprit here is setting unrealistic deadlines for achieving goals. We all know for example that you can’t lose 10 kg (20 pounds) overnight [unless you get liposuction], but most people are really optimistic about achieving other goals. How long do you think it takes to learn a new skill? Develop a new habit? Quit an old one? This is discussed more in later Chapters, but it is probably longer than you think!
The other culprit here is taking on too much at a time – remember how to eat that elephant?
And finally, there are just some things that we really can’t do – not everyone can be a prima ballerina or world-class athlete. We are all limited by our own predispositions and natural abilities. The key is to focus on your natural abilities and motivations, and use this to drive your success. This is fundamental to the goal setting process and is discussed more in later Chapters.
3. Motivations are unclear
Goals must be personal and meaningful, otherwise you’ll have no reason to achieve them. In other words, the “Why” is more important than the “What”.
Just think about the popular goal of “making more money”. As I eluded to before, this goal is baseless and meaningless unless you have a reason driven by your inner-most desires and needs. You need to ask yourself “Why do I want to earn more money?” – to keep up with the Brown’s is not a meaningful reason. To pay for private education for your kids, or to live in a safer suburb, or to buy a new car because the old one is on its death-bed – they are all meaningful reasons, because they are personal to you.
As part of the goal setting process in this workbook, you’ll discover what your motivations and drivers are so that you can set meaningful goals that you’ll just want to achieve.
4. Not having a plan
Having a meaningful goal in writing is only half the story – you need an action plan to tell you how to get there. Back to the analogy of the map – the goal is the destination, the map is how to get there. All successful missions have had a plan or strategy, so be patient and don’t just rush in, but take the time to plan the journey so you take the best route.
Don’t worry – we’ll show you how to prepare your action plans in later Chapters of this workbook.
5. Not taking action
Having a flawless plan aimed at getting you to that dream destination is not worth the paper its written on if it just sits in your draw – you must act on your plan! The plan will guide you and tell you what to do, but you still need to get off the couch and, in the words of Nike…Just Do It!
Of course, the action plan (and your goals) will be dynamic – they will change as you progress through life either as you come across road blocks and detours, or as your life changes course. This is all OK and perfectly normal, so don’t be concerned if you do make changes or even throw out your plan and start again.
6. Losing Focus
Success at achieving your goals requires focus, commitment and persistence. Sometimes your energy may be low and you’ll lose this focus, but it’s important not to give up – get back up on that horse, visualize the outcome of that dream goal and continue on your way.
To help keep you focused, try enlisting the help of a close friend or loved one or even a personal mentor to confide in through the process. You can share you successes [and failures] with them to help you grow from these experiences.
7. No Follow-Through
Goal setting is an on-going process. There is no point having a well developed, personalised set of goals with supporting action plans if it sits in your draw and never sees the light of day again. This is your road map, your life guide, and needs to be referred to constantly to make sure you’re continuing to go in the right direction.
Your priorities and therefore your goals may also change from time to time (for example if you start a family) and if this is the case, its important to sit down and go through the goal setting process again to make sure your goals still have that personal meaning to make you WANT to achieve them.
--------------------------------------------------------
Activity 1.4…
I want you to think about your life again. Have you had ambitions in the past that you haven’t achieved? Have you tried and failed at goal setting before? After reading the above reasons for goal setting failure, complete the following sentences:
I haven’t achieved my goals, because…..
I have achieved some of my goals because…..
Again, for every ‘deadly sin’ you think you are likely to commit, add it to your key message list. In BIG LETTERS write the opposite of the sin – for example, write “I will follow my goals through” or “I will take action on my plan”. Make sure you read this every day with conviction – the power of positive thinking is amazing, so help it keep you out of these traps.
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