Unlocking the Power of Goal Setting
We’ve likely set goals at some point in our lives. Maybe it was for school, work, or even for our personal lives. As humans, we have a desire to achieve something, but life and stress can get in the way, and this can make it difficult for us to follow through with our goals.
How many times have you or someone you know set a New Year’s resolution but never completed it? If this pattern sounds familiar to you, don’t worry, because you’re not alone. It’s easy to feel bad that things didn’t go as planned, but maybe you didn’t set the right goals in the first place. In this post, we’ll help you unlock the power of goal setting to help you thrive in whatever you set out to do.
Why Do I Need to Set Goals?
Unlike what you might think, setting goals is more about progression than it is about hitting the finish line. Like mental health, setting goals is a journey, and what you learn along the way is what matters, which is why we’re here to equip you with the right tools to navigate this path with a little more ease.
Setting goals can help you grow as a person, both personally and professionally. It gives your life direction, helps you feel good about yourself, makes you learn new things, or advances skill sets you already have. When you set goals the right way, you’re more likely to stick to them for the long haul. But let’s face it: in reality, it’s so much harder to try to reach those goals when life gets in the way. Money problems, family tension, or not loving your job are just some of the things that can get in the way of you sticking to your goals. But, it’s important to remember that it's okay to stumble along the way, as long as you keep moving forward. With the right mindset and strategies, you can overcome these bumps and turn your goals into reality. Let’s talk about some common mistakes people make when setting goals and how you can avoid them.
Common Mistakes Made When Setting Goals
Dreaming Too Big, Too Fast
Remember when adults used to tell you to “dream big” when you were younger? That’s great advice, but it’s also important to be realistic and set goals that are within reach. Even Superman didn’t develop his powers overnight. He had to practice to become stronger and faster, and the same applies to setting goals. It’s best to start small—maybe even setting smaller-sized goals at first—and build up from there. Slow and steady is the way forward, and you’ll be amazed at how far you can go!
Fear of Failing
It’s perfectly understandable to be a bit scared of failing, but you shouldn’t discredit yourself before you even start. Everyone experiences setbacks, and many of them can be taken as learning moments. Instead of letting fear hold you back, try to flip the script and see it as a challenge to overcome. Understand that some of the most successful people in the world have faced setbacks and failures as well, learned from it, and grown from it. Your value isn’t based on what you weren’t able to do, but what you were capable of doing. Believe in yourself, take a leap of faith, and make your mark.
Having Little to No Goal Clarity
Many of us have a goal of saving money. But what exactly does this mean? Setting aside $100 per paycheck as a safety net or having $50 to spare every month for a fun activity? Sometimes goals are too broad and not specific enough. Vague goals can make it hard to actually know if you’ve achieved them, which is why setting clear, specific goals is important. Being able to measure whether you’ve successfully completed a goal can help you keep track of your progress so you can make tweaks to your habits along the way. For more long-term goals, it’s helpful to celebrate small wins or milestones in your journey to stay motivated and focused on progression.
Procrastination
Do you find yourself putting off tasks? It’s easy to say, “I’ll work on this next week,” especially when it’s something we don’t enjoy doing. A simple way to break this habit is to try to split up large tasks into smaller, more manageable ones. Using a planner and time-blocking techniques can help you set aside dedicated time to work on your goals. Try focusing on one task at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed, and remember, all the small steps you take make a big difference in the end.
Setting goals is a journey that’s about growth and learning. By avoiding common mistakes like setting unrealistic goals, fearing failure, lacking clarity, or putting things off, you can give yourself the best chance to achieve what you set out to do. Every bit of progression will bring you closer to your goal. Believe in yourself, stay positive, and keep progressing toward your goals.