Three Rules to Turn Failed Goal Achievement Around

What is your experience with goal setting and resolution keeping?

One study found that 8 percent of the people who make New Year’s resolutions keep them. That doesn’t count the 42% who never make resolutions but comes from the 58% who do! Pretty depressing.

As a believer in the power and importance of goal setting, I want to share a few things I’ve learned on the subject that I think might help. Let me start with describing what I think the problem is, then give some solutions that I’ve found helpful.

Three problems contributing to the 8% resolution achievement stat

1. Limiting beliefs hold back goal achievement

People don’t set goals or don’t achieve their goals some times because a limiting belief is like a concrete block tied to their ankle. Their self-talk says, “I set goals before, didn’t achieve them, so I’m not doing that again because it doesn’t work.”

In it’s place, a limiting beliefs needs to re-framed into an empowering truth. See last week’s post for more on that. An empowering truth could say, “I can succeed at goal setting by doing things differently and learning from the 8% who succeeded at reaching their goals.”

2. There is no clear plan for goal achievement

A goal without a plan is a wish. The plan doesn’t need to be complicated but it needs to be actionable and easy to do. Michael Hyatt suggests that goals should be set in the dis-comfort zone but action steps in the comfort zone. Great advice!

People set goals in the dis-comfort zone, but don’t have a plan to take action in the comfort zone.

3. People try to achieve their goals without the help of others

The longer I live, the more I believe in the power of community to achieve the things in life that matter. I have multiple communities who are helping me reach my goals. I’m in Toastmasters to help me improve my speaking. I’m in a Mastermind group to help me achieve my business goals. I meet weekly with a friend who helps me as a leader and disciple.

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. — African Proverb

Three Simple Rules to Put You in the 8%

1. Know your “why” for each goal

Knowing why a goal is important is critical. Knowing the deeper purpose keeps you going when tempted to give up on goal achievement.

One of my goals this year is to write my dad’s memoir. That goal matters because I want to honor my dad and provide a written legacy of his life. That “why” keeps me writing and re-writing.

2. Review your goals daily and take the next easiest action step to achieve it

Don’t try to write out an elaborate plan of action with a truck load of detail. Just figure out the next action you need to take and do it today.

We become what we repeatedly do. — Sean Covey

3. Use daily habits to serve in the achievement of your goals

Creating new habits is often a key part of goal achievement. It’s definitely true when reaching goals in the areas of weight loss, fitness, or marketing.

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going. ― Jim Ryun

Identify the habits you need to and put them into regular practice. A new app I’m using on my phone in 2018 is called “Habit List.” I have eight habits I’m tracking and the app is providing the feedback I need so it’s fun to do it and check it off as done!

Final thoughts

Don’t be intimidated by the past or give in to limiting beliefs that hold you back from having your best year ever. Set goals but put when them a simple plan, find some people to walk with you, and call into service the habits that will help you get to your destination.

Let me know what you think about goal setting and your experience with it.