Your goals define who do you want to be, what do you want to achieve and how do you want to achieve them. However, it is surprising to know that there are many people who fail to achieve the goals they have set for themselves. Allow me to enumerate those stumbling blocks to help you attain your goals in life.
1. Lack of Insight of the Goal-Setting Process. It is a common misconception that goal setting simply means putting a goal on paper, setting a timeframe for completion, and then starting all over again when it fails. This type of mentality hinders people to succeed. Setting goals are is really about changing yourself for the long-term. and show the world who you want to become or what you want to achieve.
2. Lack of Commitment to the Goal. Some people used to say that they want to achieve a certain goal. However, in reality, they're really not committed to it. Because of this lack of commitment, they don't give their best effort to achieve mediocre results. Remember, commitment is crucial for attaining any goal. In other words, achieving your goals isn't an easy job, and there are lots of challenges along the way.
3. Lack of Action. Most people never actually take that first step necessary to progress towards their goal. Remember, if you don't get started, you can't go anywhere. Without action, nothing happens. If you haven't taken any action yet, now is the time to start.
4. Fear of "What If" Scenarios. Many people let questions and doubts paralyze them. They believe they can't start on a goal until they have all the answers to every "what if" scenario without realizing that no matter how long and hard they prepare, they will never have all the answers to their uncertainties. Remember to always base your decisions with a view to the future, not on the current situations. Your situation will change because of the decisions you make today and will dictate the success of your journey. So, just move forward towards your goal!
5. Lack of Direction. Most often than not, people begin setting goals without a clear direction of who they want to become or what they ultimately want to achieve. If you don't have a destination in mind, then you'll never know which road to take to get where you want to go. Your destination needs to be clear. Without such a clear view of what you want in life, you'll be forever changing course and falling short of your potential.
6. Having Too Many Goals. Some people have too many goals and not enough focus and I am not an exception. I am a researcher, a writer, and also an author. I cannot decide which to master among the three because I am really doing well in these fields. In writing, I mostly wrote inspirational articles but I can also write just as well as with other genres. I would say that this is a case to case basis. Remember, no two people are alike.
In fact, hitting with just one goal is hard enough; what more of hitting three birds simultaneously with one stone. So, focus on one goal that you think would give you the highest return of investment (your effort) and move forward with that one goal only. Once completed, you can now focus on your other goals. The secret is one at a time.
7. Lack of Motivation to Succeed. Some people feel unmotivated when thinking about the outcome of their goal because they fear that they will fail halfway through the process. Instead of constantly thinking about what happens if you fail, try to think of the positive things that might happen if you succeed. Self-efficacy is the key to moving towards your goals.
Surround yourself with successful, ambitious, career-driven people for inspiration. Do not spend time with people who have no dreams or goals, you'll end up abandoning your own dreams and goals because most likely you'll become like the ones you spend most of your time with.