What's Stopping You from Setting Goals?

As we head towards the New Year, it makes sense to do a few bits of writing about setting goals or New Year’s resolution or what ever ever it is you call making changes. I thought I’d start with a different take on the topic:

This is for those of you who aren’t setting goals this year.

For the record, I think you should give it a go. Setting goals I mean. So, what’s stopping you from setting goals?

Scared?

Fair enough. It’s probably a good sign that you’re feeling a bit nervous. The trick is figuring out if it’s the kind of fear that’s healthy or, if it’s just getting in your way.

Typically, you need to get out of your comfort zone when you’re setting goals that matter. The way to handle fear is to plan well, take small steps, stop negative self-talk, and focus on you achievements.

“Taming Your Gremlin” is a great read if you’re dealing with negative self talk (who isn’t?). Or, check out my buddy Billy Anderson and his amazing book “Your Comfort Zone is Killing You.”

Are you sure you want it?

When you answer this question honestly, it can be an eye-opener. You may discover that you're not ready yet to make the change. Sometimes we like the idea of attaining our goal more than the reality. The best way to find out if this is the case is to realistically consider all that you'll have to do to achieve your goal. Listen to the stories of others who have done it and ask yourself if it's worth it to you. “Start With Why” is another book to consider, especially if you’re in a leadership role.

Is It Somebody Else's Goal?

Is the goal actually your own or, maybe it’s your bosses (or spouse’s, or mentor’s or…)? It's very common for us to internalize the things others want for us and while they may have the best intentions, it's much easier to buckle under pressure if the goal isn’t yours.