Share this content :
What do these three things have in common:
The answer is simple: they all share goals. Resolutions and programs try to make new habits, while itineraries cover destinations and activities. Ultimately, these plans aim to help us accomplish something we want.
What you didn’t know is that goal-setting is uncommon. Statistics show that only 20% of the population plan out goals. Of this group, 70% give up and walk away. You might know people who have promised to start a book or lose 50 pounds. By the time you’ve checked their progress, they’ve already given up.
Goal-setting sounds so straightforward at first glance. You mark down or list something you want to accomplish, then try and do it. Easy, right? Ironically, people overestimate how much effort should be placed into a goal.
According to James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, goal-setting often focuses on what success people want. Ambitions like losing weight or earning a million dollars are typical examples of what we want in life. However, James pointed out that these goals often get overlooked once someone considers the sacrifices they require. His friend, Mark Manson, who penned the book “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck,” noticed that people often focused on making goals rather than fulfilling them.
To do better, James focused on the power of systems and routines. According to him, people often forget to set a practical method or plan of action to reach their objectives. The ones who succeed think ahead and elaborate on their tasks. For example, all football coaches want to win the top prize. However, the most influential coaches outline their drills, offensive plays, defensive plays, and the lineup of athletes. It’s not only about reaching the finish line; accomplish a goal means knowing how to succeed and how much you’re willing to do for it.
Deciding what you want to do and what trials you’ll gladly endure seems to be the only focus, right? Sadly, not quite yet. How you do goal-setting is as important as the effort you place into it. Multiple factors can ruin your plan, despite all the energy and focus you’ve put in. Here are five main reasons people often give up or fail at goal-setting for work and their lives.
“I want to be a millionaire so freaking bad, buy all of the things I never had.”
As catchy as Bruno Mars’ song is, you’d be surprised how many goals people set at that level. The line above sounds so lovely, but it’s a deceitful thing. People want to be millionaires and have the cash to spend on their desires. However, no amount of quick-money schemes will ever be enough to help you. The problem with unrealistic goals is that they’re so lofty that people never realize how far they must go. As soon as you notice the type of effort needed, you might lose the confidence needed to accomplish a goal.
New Year’s resolutions are one of the most popular lists to make. They’re also the most dangerous because you outline many tasks and objectives to reach. Take a look at this list:
This list has many objectives to cover, even with only three tasks. The problem is that you risk dividing your attention into multiple goals. To paraphrase James Clear’s example, imagine the rudder of a boat keeps turning left and right. The more you jump between focuses, the less you’ll achieve. You might end up running in circles and be unable to accomplish a goal.
Suppose you started to follow through with your goal-setting plans. For example, you decide you want to commit to jogging four times a week. In the first week, you manage to do all four sessions. By the third week, you’ve only done two sessions. At the end of the second month, you’ve stuck to jogging every eight days.
Suppose you started to follow through with your goal-setting plans. For example, you decide you want to commit to jogging four times a week. In the first week, you manage to do all four sessions. By the third week, you’ve only done two sessions. At the end of the second month, you’ve stuck to jogging every eight days.
Sometimes people make plans because of momentary interest. For example, your friends all decide to go to the gym together and exercise. Not wanting to be left out, you join with them. However, as the weeks go by, all of you stop going back and doing your exercise.
While sharing goals is a good idea, doing something only for others’ sake is not good. It has to be your desired goal to lose weight or earn lots of money. If your goal-setting gets influenced by your parents or friends, you might not feel invested to accomplish a goal. A proper objective is something you wish to fulfill. By following your desire, you’ll find enough drive to continue working.
The worst way to ruin your goal-setting plans is by having a poor strategy in the first place. Daydreams and ideals are beautiful but don’t give you the roadmap. Learning how to achieve your goals means knowing what to expect. You must be ready to work hard, take risks, and sometimes fail. You start moving forward by accepting the challenges and taking time to understand the path.
Now that you know what might be ruining your strategy, you might consider a new plan. If you’re goal-setting for work, you’ll want to know how to ensure each task is met. To help, I’ve outlined seven certified tips for your goals and plans of action. Here are how you can ensure you reach your goals in the office or at home.
You might want to lose weight and get celebrity-style abs. That’s a dream, not a goal. Instead, consider what a reasonable aim in your life is. Shoot for what is doable, not what is ideal. For example, your new plan might be to start losing 10 pounds by the end of the month. It sounds much easier to pull off, and it’s more pragmatic.
Plus, a realistic goal can have many avenues of approach. You might think of dieting with one healthy meal a day or exercising for seven minutes every morning. Either way, both options sound both easy and manageable in your life. With a practical and achievable plan, it’ll be easier to accomplish a goal
Time is your greatest friend and enemy in reaching your goals. How much effort you spend in two hours can be as important as the same in two years. The important thing is to make your plans fit your schedule. Find a specific time and deadline for each goal in your life.
For instance, writing in a journal may seem easy. It also sounds vague and unclear. Instead, try writing in a journal for ten minutes before bedtime. You now set a precise amount of time to work on your plan. You also can synchronize your new habit to fit your current schedule.
You might be discouraged if you didn’t run as far as you used to for the day. This fear is what causes many others to give up. Because these people don’t meet their results, they feel lost. In truth, it’s not about getting the exact quota right. For example, if you plan to write a report within two hours, you might not finish it.
However, the important thing is that you put in the work. Where you were two hours ago is vastly different compared to now. That report sitting on your desktop has been filled, and you might only need a few more sentences to complete it. Don’t focus on the result; concentrate on the action. The more you dedicate to a habit, the faster you can accomplish a goal. Plus, you can always try again tomorrow.
Using the example before, imagine that you now consistently run two miles a day. Reaching a standard like that is impressive! However, don’t get complacent. Some people become so comfy with their results that they stick to them.
This mindset does not lead to a good plan. Goal-setting for work doesn’t mean reaching a number. Instead, it’s about achieving harder and harder things. Once you feel safe in a standard, kick it up a notch. Try running three miles a day this time. It’ll be more challenging, and you’ll improve over time instead of ending up on a plateau.
People often say that old habits die hard. Depending on how your room or workspace is, that makes sense. For example, people who work in the same place they sleep will find it harder to focus on work. Instead, they might doze off and leave their reports half-finished. I recommend changing environments and removing what can trigger you to fail.
For example, you can drown out loud noises with soothing ambient music on your phone. You can resist the urge to snack on food if you throw them out or lock them somewhere out of sight. Removing your temptations is an excellent way to keep your path clear and accomplish a goal.
When you accomplish your goal for the day, take a moment to smile and thank yourself. The same should happen if you tried your best or did as much as possible. If your goal is to write ten articles, and you manage to do so for the week, congratulate yourself. The point is that you succeeded. People often think that celebrating after a significant milestone is the standard.
However, appreciating your small successes is the key to keeping with your routine. Goal-setting at work should allow you to be happy with what you did for the day.
If you fall behind in your habits, one good trick is to call a friend. Asking someone to join you and monitor your progress is an excellent way to stay on your goals. For example, actors can only do so much on stage. The actual guidance comes from the director. These people review their actors’ performance and advise them on how to tweak their performance. With the director’s input, actors can challenge themselves to become as best as they can. For work, you can consult a senior or colleague to watch your work. Their insight can help you adjust goals, mitigate tasks, and find practical ways to reach your objectives.
Goal-setting at work and in life is not as common as we think. Only 20% of people give it a shot and usually fail. The reasons why they can’t achieve a goal range from unrealistic standards to poor planning and execution. To reach a goal within 30 days, I recommend planning your actions and schedule. I also suggest taking the time to review your goals and set them at practical limits. Once you start trying, you’ll find it easier to accomplish your tasks in and out of the office. Remember to keep at it; soon, being able to accomplish a goal will feel second nature.
Share this content :
Copyright © 2023 Munif Ali. All rights reserved.
Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance