5 Reasons You Have Not Met Your Goals

As we enter a new month, it is a good time to question, how are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions? Did you have any set goals? If the answer is “no,” that’s okay.  According to an article on inc.com, “Of the 41% of Americans who make New Year's resolutions, only 9% were successful in keeping them.” So you are not in the minority. 

The good news is, it is not too late to start. But what could we do to set ourselves up for success? There are two things to keep in mind: our mindset and our environment. Let’s begin by seeing how we could meet our goals by addressing the part you have most control over— yourself!  

Pursuing a Goal for the Right Reasons

If you had parents like mine, maybe you were forced to take music lessons growing up. I enrolled in training camps and took several courses. However, it was never my desire to pursue a musical career or even as a hobby. As long as I had no interest in the music, there was no way I would be able to commit. 

The same can be applied when you commit yourself to reading a book. Don’t start by reading classical works of English literature if it does not interest you! If you like gardening, start with a book on gardening. 

Nonetheless, guilt, pressure, or even money are good motivators. Discover your passion, gifts, and visions and begin your goal setting with that. With your existing goals, why are you pursuing the goal you are pursuing? 

Self-Doubt 

As a natural introvert, this is something I have personally had to work on overcoming. When you tell yourself, “I don’t know enough,” “I can’t do it as good as she/he does,” or “I’ll never get to that level,” it will most likely deprive you from even trying. 

The truth is, most people you meet struggle with the same insecurities. Fewer people will even admit that they do not know as much as they seem to express. You need to begin changing the narrative in your head, and tell yourself the opposite. 

It is easier said than done because our brains have to unlearn the habits that we’ve been doing since we were young. Start by finding someone who is doing the thing you want to do and is willing to teach you. 

The reality is, many people are willing to share what they know if you just ask. 

You Do Not Have a Plan 

“The difference between a dream and a goal is a plan.” It is a quote you have heard many times, but the truth of it continues to resonate. There are many aspects to this single point, but I will focus on the importance of deadlines and incrementing your goals. 

What’s the difference between me running a mile or walking a mile? If you are comparing both in terms of how many calories I burn or how high I can get my heart rate to go, you might see a big difference. However, if my goal is to start slow until I can run a whole mile, then walking a mile is a step to reaching a bigger goal. 

Many times, we are quick to envision our dream career and forget to do the small steps to get there. Identify the steps you need to reach your goal, and tackle them one at a time. 

For example, in the scenario where you have a career you wish to pursue, are you networking with people in that industry? Are you learning skills that will be useful in that field? 

You Are Not Surrounded by People Who Motivate You

Ben Prunchnie conducted research where he determined that "Rich Habits research, in which I interviewed 177 self-made millionaires over five years, long before they became rich, the self-made rich made an intentional, conscious effort to only forge relationships with individuals they aspired to be: other rich and successful people.” The idea of being around people that will motivate you to do better in your chosen goal can be universally applied. 

Sometimes it is necessary to selectively choose friends that can motivate you rather than discourage you. Family can be very harsh critics, and sometimes the people we surround ourselves with only complain and rarely do anything to improve their situations. 

I am not advocating to cut all ties (unless of course it is draining your health); however, find friends that are already knowledgeable and experienced. Learn the good habits they had to get to where they are, and apply it to your own life. 

You Have Not Started

If you’re still reading this, you’re doing something wrong (kidding). But really, many of us are guilty of not taking the first step for starting our goal.

For example, if I want to get my blog written today, I know that I have to set up my workspace the day prior by taking the laptop out of my backpack and setting it on the table where I will be working from. Why? I don’t know, but I know that if I don’t have the tools I need readily available, I will never get started. 

So go ahead, do what you need to do to get started with you goals today!