What goes wrong in goal setting? What makes a solid list of goals go to pieces in just six weeks? The problem may be within the person who is trying to complete this list of goals or it may be the goal list itself. Here are four of the most common mistakes people make when planning their goals.
1. The goal is too vague.
A goal that is vague has no driving force. Achieving a general vision of happiness is usually a lost cause because the achievements are usually unrealistically high and because there are no signs or organization that helps keep you on a steady course. Goals should always be clear and specific. It might help to ask the question "How will I know when I've achieved this goal?" If you are not sure, then your goal is probably too vague.
2. The goal is not yours but is someone else's vision of success.
You must have a personal enthusiasm for accomplishing your goal. If your goal has been forced upon you by a spouse or by a family member then it will be more difficult to become motivated. If you are borrowing the success story of someone else and applying it to your own life, then again, this is not a goal that you have created but one that has been lifted.
3. You made your goal "public."
It is good to get others in on your mission so they can provide moral support. However, sometimes friendship and camaraderie can be a two-edged sword. If you go "public" with your new goal and start telling everyone you meet, then you could face ridicule or criticism in the future. Friends can do the darndest things sometimes, which includes second guessing you and mocking your progress—which can be discouraging.
4. Setting an individual goal that's too hard or too easy.
It's best to avoid both extremes. A goal that is too hard right at the start will intimidate you from trying any harder. On the other hand, a goal that is too easy will not keep your interest or motivate you to press on further. In essence, you are insulting your subconscious mind with a task that is too easy.
