Signs You’re Doing Goal Setting Wrong – Try This Instead

There was a time in my life when I didn’t put as much thought into setting a goal and making the commitment to achieving them. 

When I was young, one of my teachers in primary school taught our class about the concept of ‘short-term goals’ and ‘long-term goals’. She asked each of us to come up with one of each that we would recite or show in front of the class.

At the tender age of 10, I can recall being indifferent with this lesson and not caring to think for myself and my ‘goals’. I winged it during recitation and mimicked what the majority of my classmates set as their goals: to ace the class with at least an 85/100 mark by the end of the school year. I must have thought, why set goals, when it seemed they were already guided by my elders or institutions, such as family and school?

In short, I was content going with the flow. When my parents encouraged me to consistently be in the honor roll, I did. When my teachers asked me to join a dance competition, I complied. When my cousin wanted to treat me to The Tigger movie and McDonalds on her payday, I cheerfully went.

But as I mature, I have come to a realization:

Goals are and will always be an inevitable part of life.

Whether fed to us by our circumstances or a budding desire within us, for us to live a meaningful life, we need to be clear about what is it we’re living for, and how we plan to carry out this purpose.

Why is goal setting important?

We may or may not be aware but many of the actions we do day in and day out are the results of goals we have set for ourselves. It may take the form of short-term goals such as “Today I will read 20 pages of this book” or long-term goals such as “I want to live longer to be with my family so I resolve to eat healthier food”.

So while some people think they never have to set goals and still have many accomplishments, research says otherwise. Our goals and motives operate in both conscious and unconscious mode, and the purpose of goal setting is to make our unconscious goals rise to the surface.

In doing so, it allows us to have better control of the outcome through the habits, systems, and actions required to carry out a goal.

Without the consciousness of the goals that motivate how we show up on a day-to-day, we are opening up ourselves to a life of mediocrity, burnout, or failure.

On the other hand, for those of us who want to achieve peace, happiness, success, and fulfilled lives, goal-setting is important and takes priority over mundane things.

Common Pitfalls When Setting Goals

Setting goals is a pivotal part of achieving success, whether in your personal life, career, or any endeavor.

However, the journey from goal-setting to goal-achieving is fraught with potential pitfalls.

Recognizing and avoiding these common mistakes can significantly enhance your ability to achieve your aspirations.

Setting unrealistic goals

One of the most common mistakes is setting goals that are simply unrealistic. Ambition is key, but when goals are unattainable, they can lead to frustration and demotivation. It’s essential to set challenging yet achievable goals. Striking the right balance encourages progress and keeps motivation high.

Not writing down goals

An idea remains just that without action. Writing down your goals not only reaffirms your commitment to them but also serves as a constant reminder of what you’re working towards. It’s a simple yet powerful tool for making your aspirations more tangible and achievable.

Not recalibrating goals

Circumstances change, and so should your goals. Not taking the time to recalibrate and adjust your goals can result in pursuing objectives that no longer align with your current situation or aspirations. Regularly review your goals and make necessary adjustments to ensure they remain relevant and achievable.

Ignoring small wins

Celebrating small wins is crucial. Every step forward is progress, and acknowledging these achievements can provide a significant motivational boost. Small victories pave the way to achieving your larger goals, and overlooking their importance can undermine your overall success.

5 Signs You’re Doing Goal Setting Wrong

Goal setting is a powerful practice to steer your life in the direction you wish to go.

However, not all goal-setting strategies are effective, and recognizing you’re on the wrong track is crucial.

Here are five signs that your approach to setting goals might need a rethink.

#1. You’re consistently failing to meet your goals

If you find yourself regularly failing to achieve your goals, it might be a sign they are either unrealistic or too vague. Goals need to be challenging yet achievable and clearly defined to provide a sense of direction.

#2. Lack of motivation

Feeling constantly demotivated might indicate that your goals don’t align with your passions or ultimate life aspirations. Goals should be exciting and meaningful to you, acting as a natural motivator.

#3. Overwhelmed by your goals

Feeling overwhelmed is a common sign that your goals might be too broad or too many. Setting priorities helps you focus and breaking down goals into manageable steps can help mitigate this feeling.

#4. Zero flexibility

If your goals haven’t evolved despite changes in your circumstances, interests, or abilities, it’s a sign of inflexibility. Goals should be adaptable, allowing for adjustments as your life changes.

#5. Neglecting personal well-being

If chasing your goals means sacrificing your health, relationships, or well-being, it’s time to reassess. Successful goal-setting should enhance your life, not detract from it.

Remember, success in achieving your goals lies not just in the goals themselves but in setting them the right way. So, if you recognize any of these signs, it might be time to take a step back and reevaluate your approach to goal setting.

An effective strategy is personalized and balanced, considering your well-being and happiness along the way.

Easy and Effective Steps to Goal Setting

Setting goals not only maps out the path to your dreams but also gives you the motivation to pursue them. Here’s a concise guide to setting goals in an easy and effective manner.

Step 1. Start with a Vision.

Envision your ideal future. What does it look like? Understanding your long-term desires is the foundation upon which you can build actionable goals.

Step 2. Break It Down.

Transform your vision into specific, actionable goals. Break these into smaller, more manageable objectives. Smaller milestones make the journey less daunting and more achievable.

One way of doing this that many professionals recommend is to be SMART About It. Ensure that your goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This framework helps to clarify your ideas, focus your efforts, and use your time and resources productively.

Personally, I like to keep it simple though. I try to break down a macro goal into micro goals and break it even further into more micro goals. This type of framework can look something like this:

GOALS > PROJECTS > TASKS

I find this works best for me because it allows me to focus on the smaller tasks on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis and monitor my progress. It doesn’t feel overwhelming but at the same time, when done consistently, can have a snowball effect that achieves the mission I’ve set for myself.

Step 3. Write Them Out

Put pen to paper and write your goals down. This act of writing not only commits them to memory but also makes them more tangible.

Outline the steps you need to take to achieve each goal. An action plan bridges the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

Using the framework we’ve mentioned, I can break down my goal into actionable steps that are manageable and that I can create habits around.

Here’s an example:

Whenever possible, I time-block the tasks in my calendar for a couple of reasons. First, when days get busy, I am reminded of what I have to do and not forget them. Second, it reinforces the task regularly thus creating a habit that helps with consistently and following through.

In addition, I may try to impose deadlines that provide the urgency needed to act on tasks. Being without a timeframe, it’s easy to fall into the trap of procrastination, an enemy of goal achievement.

Step 4. Monitor Your Progress

Regularly review and assess your progress. Are you moving closer to your goals? Make adjustments if needed, but keep the momentum going.

For some people, this could mean setting up systems like GTD (Get Things Done) Spreadsheets, Weekly To-Do Lists, Daily Planners, etc, aided by the latest productivity software and apps. For others, it can be as simple as a blank sheet of paper and pen.

The key is to try out a convenient process that produces the most effective results and helps keep you organized. This way, there’s less resistance and you can track data easily and measure accordingly.

Be prepared to adjust your goals as circumstances change. Flexibility can help you overcome unforeseen obstacles.

Step 5. Celebrate your wins

Take time to celebrate each milestone, no matter how small. Celebrating successes, whether publicly or privately, not only boosts your motivation but also acknowledges the effort you’ve put in.

Having a rewards system during habit formation is one way to effectively celebrate your small wins. This experience lets us determine which habits are worth keeping and makes the tasks more likely to be repeated.

To Wrap Things Up

At its heart, setting a goal is much more than ticking a box; it’s about the growth that comes from striving toward something meaningful.

Achieving our goals is rewarding, but the process of getting there—learning to think for ourselves and decide our own paths—is invaluable.

Through my own experiences, I’ve learned that being intentional and accountable in setting goals is key. It makes us ask ourselves whether we’re okay with just getting by or if we want more from life.

Goals give our actions purpose, but setting and reaching them isn’t always straightforward. We might sometimes find ourselves stuck, making no progress. This is a signal to reassess—not just what our goals are, but how we’re trying to achieve them.

Effective goal setting is about starting with a clear vision and turning that into actionable steps, being ready to adapt and overcome challenges along the way. It’s a reminder that making our dreams a reality isn’t just about the endpoint, but about embracing the work it entails with intention, action, and resilience.

READ MORE: Daily Routine of Successful People from Morning to Evening

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What’s a GOAL SETTING system you have used that actually worked? Let us know in the comments.