8 Goal-Setting Mistakes to Avoid

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Goal-Setting Mistakes to Avoid

Do you thrive on goal-setting?

Are you the type of person who starts the new year with a big batch of goals you cannot wait to knock out?

If so, then you are in the right place.

Goal-setting is a great way to make sure you are always aiming higher and reaching for more in your life and business. 

Goal-setting gives you direction and guidance for where you want to go.

However, there are some goal-setting mistakes to avoid because they can actually set you back instead of moving you forward.

Most common goal-setting mistakes you should be aware of and aim to avoid

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1. Your goals are too vague 

Vague goals like “get healthy” or “grow my email list” are good starting points for your real goals, but those alone are just fluff.

Why?

You cannot measure vague goals or track your progress.

What does getting healthy mean? It could mean losing five pounds or fifty pounds, eating one vegetable a day, or fully going vegan, depending on who you ask.

When you only set vague goals, you are setting yourself up for failure by never actually being able to reach your goals.

You can always get healthier, and you can always grow your email list further. However, you can rewrite those goals to say “walk for 20 minutes a day for 30 days” or “get 500 subscribers on my email list by the end of the year”.

These goals are actually measurable, so you will know whether or not you reach them.

2. You don’t write your goals down

Did you know you are 42% more likely to achieve your goals if you simply write them down daily?

Since that is true, why wouldn’t you write down the goals that you would really love to achieve?

Writing down your goals almost brings them to life before you even reach them.

Before you write them down, your goals are more similar to ideas or daydreams living inside of your head. It proves to yourself that you are determined to actually do these things once they are written. 

3. You are not referencing your goals daily

We all need little reminders that keep us focused.

Referencing your goals daily will help you stay on track during your day.

It will give you that little bit of motivation you need to do the tasks you may not necessarily want to do, and it is a way of holding yourself accountable.

You already learned that you should write down your goals daily, so that is one way of referencing them.

You can also place that sheet of paper near your desk so it is visible while you work.

Related Reads:

• 12 Habits That Are Making You Less Productive
• 5 Ways to Stay Focused on Your Goals
• How to Organize Your To-Do List
• 10 Habits of People Who Are Always Productive

4. You don’t break down your goals into smaller, more manageable steps

Getting 500 subscribers on your email list is an ambitious goal to have as a business owner, but how exactly will you set out to do that?

Breaking your goals down into smaller, more manageable steps makes the goal feel less overwhelming and more realistic.

In this example, the steps might be to create three opt-ins, place them in four locations on your website, and share them on your social media platforms.

These steps give you a framework for your goals.

5. You are not celebrating reaching your goals

Goals are not always easy to achieve, and that is why it is so important to celebrate once you reach them.

If you don’t celebrate your goals and just move on to the next one, you are ignoring all of the hard work you just put in.

Celebrating makes you more likely to continue this goal-setting process, and it allows you to enjoy the journey instead of always feeling like you haven’t accomplished enough.

For each goal, write out what you will do to celebrate once it is accomplished.

6. You set out to accomplish too much at once

Goal-setting can become really overwhelming very quickly if you are not careful.

When looking at your life and business, there are probably hundreds of goals you can come up with. You have a lifetime to make changes, so don’t try to do absolutely everything at once.

Start with a maximum of three large goals for each round of goal-setting.

These are the most important things that you really need or want to get done.

These may be the things that move the needle in your business or really improve your happiness and mental state in your life.

If you set out to achieve too many goals at once, you may lose focus on all your goals altogether.

Stick to three and add more goals if you feel as though you have the bandwidth for them.

7. You don’t know your ‘why’ behind your goals

Every goal needs a why.

Your why might be simple and straightforward like you want to live a debt-free life or have more time to spend with your kids.

Without a why you might lack the motivation and discipline needed to push for your goals.

Your why should not be about other people, like wanting to do something because you saw someone else doing it on Instagram or you want to impress a certain person.

Make sure you have a why that is unique to you.

8. You have no accountability for your goals

Accountability is crucial in every area of your life.

You can hold yourself accountable for your goals by keeping a calendar where you cross off everything you need to do daily or say you will not get to do X until you first do Y.

For some people, self-accountability can only go so far.

Those people may lean on their community for accountability and support. Find people who can relate to your goals that can support you in reaching them. They can hold you accountable with simple check-in texts, and this will make you more likely to reach your goals.

Final Thoughts

After reading this post, I hope you feel more confident that you are setting yourself up for success with your goals.

If utilized properly, goal-setting can be a way to find fulfillment in your business and life and ensure you are on the right track for your future.

Keep these goal-setting mistakes to avoid in mind as you reference your current goals and make new ones.

I hope these serve you well and help you reach the next level in your business and life!