Why Goal Setting Fails

The problem I have with goal setting is that too many of us tend to make unrealistic and unthoughtful goals that aren’t executed upon and usually if ever are we held accountable for our actions. So how do we break out of the yearly task of dreaming what we want to happen in our lives rather than obtaining what we deserve? Below I lay out what I have found to be the most useful techniques for not only goal setting but for results!

Firstly, goals are useful in all aspects of our lives. Not only health and fitness (resolutions are useless by the way), but goals can be set for family, financial, emotional, intelligence, spiritual accomplishments alike. Setting goals and executing on the strategies can lead you to a life that you create in your head. But instead of focusing on outcome goals (ex- I want to lose 10lbs, the same 10 you lbs wanted to lose the last 5 years), we should instead focus on behavior goals (I will eat a healthy breakfast every morning rather than my normal Dunkin Donuts. Or, I will strength train 3 days per week and get supplemental aerobic exercise in another 3 days). The behaviors, if thought out properly, will always lead to the end result.

Now lets look at a few different techniques that have been proven to work. Since we always want to review our goals or better yet be held accountable for our behaviors by someone else we need to either write them down or video ourselves declaring our new behaviors. Another simple way to reinforce the positive changes in your life is to make a collage of pictures (stick them on your refrigerator) that will reinforce your actions daily. Whatever method you use to record your goals just make sure you come back to them frequently in order to modify them accordingly.

I always did like the acronym SMART for goal setting. I won’t say much about it here, but it’s pretty basic and easy to remember. S= Specific M= Measureable A= Attainable R= Realistic/Relevant T= Time bound. Use technique it works well!

Understand your own motivation. Internal motivation is vastly different than external motivation. The more internally motivated one becomes the more likely you will achieve success. If you are trying to lose 20 lbs to impress your spouse you will FAIL! You may lose the 20lbs but keeping those pounds off will be a constant struggle because at some point your spouse will stopped noticing. Do it for yourself and enjoy the process (internal motivation) or else its just not sustainable.

Lastly, don’t be perfect. You are a human! You will fail! The goals you set now may not be as important in a few months. Give yourself emotional flexibility if you fail and more importantly understand why you did fail. If you succeeded the same rule applies. Understand why you did and apply those principles in future goal setting. Resolutions are useless because you do them once a year. Goal setting should be done daily, weekly, monthly and should always involve behavioral change. Celebrate your accomplishments with others and start creating a life you deserve and love!