5 Reasons You Aren't Achieving Your Goals

byEmilyMartin

136 followers

5 years ago

How many times have you set a goal, only to forget it a few short days later? I'm sure I am not the only one who has stumbled across a piece of paper with my latest and greatest idea laid out, only to realize that was about twenty latest and greatest ideas ago and the paper has been sitting in a drawer for a year.

Personally, I am a BIG list-writer. I love checking items off of my to-do list, which possibly makes it even more aggravating when I realize just how many goals I have let fall to the wayside. Exercise routines, sleep schedules, eating habits, schoolwork, hobbies. I have written and re-written the same goals again and again. Often, I have wondered "why am I not there after years of this cycle?"

It can be hard to achieve goals, but there is a little known secret that is holding us back -- ourselves! I eventually realized that it wasn't some magic spell that was keeping me from getting to where I wanted to be, it was me. Once I realized the battle was an internal one, I was able to set out and reach many of my goals like losing 50 lbs, gaining confidence in my body and my mind, moving into my own tiny home, improving my organization, embracing minimalism, finishing my degree, keeping my plant collection alive, improving my everyday routine, attempting to start an online business, etc.

Here is a list of the most common factors that we let get in our way while trying to achieve something new:

We Set Too Many Goals, Too Fast

I am notorious for this one. I love to sit down and plan out an entirely different routine for myself. It feels so exciting as I sit there and write out my new bedtime, new meal plan, etc. The problem? This is the most surefire way to burn out, possibly before you make it through the first day of working toward your goals. Our brains seek routine, so throwing too many changes into the routine our brain is accustomed to can make us feel anxious, sad or even hopeless.

Instead of making several big goals, try the "today, this week, this year" method. Set your goals for the next day before you go to bed. Maybe it's as simple as eating breakfast or writing one blog post, but that is perfectly fine! You want to achieve the goal, not throw it in the "someday" pile. Next, set a few goal for the week. Generally, I include less time-sensitive activities in this category, such as calling my grandma to check in or clearing my email inbox. Finally, write some big goals for yourself. One of my favorite ways to do this is creating a vision board.

We Don't Keep Our Goals Visible

We wrote out some goals, but how do we keep them out of the dreaded junk drawer? One of my favorite answers is not as simple as it sounds: get rid of the junk drawer!

That's right, no more clutter. This right here has been the biggest step in creating a productive environment where I can achieve my goals. If you have no idea where to start in reducing the amount of items that are stealing your attention, check out this link to Dave Crenshaw's website, he is a guru of getting ourselves in order.

The main teaching that I took away from Crenshaw was the use of gathering points. Reduce the amount of piles in your home, or gathering points, until the only areas you must address include your phone inbox, email inbox, physical gathering point in your home, traveling gathering point like a purse or briefcase, and whatever else you deem necessary to fit your needs (in this case, maybe that is your WA dashboard). The goal is to keep it to about six gathering points, while the average person has around 30 or 40. (Yikes!)

One last note: Plaster your goals where you can see them frequently. While reducing clutter is a huge help, a little note on the fridge or your mirror can work wonders, too.

Our Goals Aren't Made For The Right Reason

When you make a goal, who do you say you're doing it for? We may say things like "I'm doing this for my children," or "I'm doing this to prove them wrong," but we have to start realizing that these goals often become a burden, rather than a source of joy. If you can make goals that serve YOU and your needs, they will be that much easier to achieve.

We Expect It To Happen RIGHT NOW

In the age of instant gratification, it has become that much more difficult to hold ourselves accountable. We have an endless inbox full of miracle-pills and quick-fixes, and we are surrounded by easy options. This translates into our productivity in a really negative way. How many projects have you wanted to take on, and given less than a week to? How many plans have you deemed a failure simply because you didn't see immediate results? Greatness of any sort takes time, and we must get in touch with our patience while we work toward the goal in mind.

We Try To Do It Alone

It's hard to stick to our guns, so why do we make it even harder by trying to do it by ourselves? With more ability to connect with like-minded people than ever before, we can do a quick Google search or Facebook search and find support for our goals. Don't be afraid to link up with people who want the same things as you, and don't discount the knowledge you can share with others. You might be surprised to realize you've already found one of these groups. (I'm looking at you, WA!)

You Can Do This!

I am new to this whole "achieving goals" thing, too. I had a long list of dreams that I couldn't seem to convert into my actual reality, no matter how many times I wrote the list. The answer lies in understanding what factors are holding us back, and all of the tips in this post are not only tried by yours truly, but they have also helped me cross real items off of my list. Give these strategies a try, and see what amazing things YOU are able to accomplish.