Six Reasons People Fail to Achieve Their Goals
Let’s look at the below reasons why people fail to achieve their goals. Please let me know if you agree or disagree with each or any reason. Please include why? I look forward to responses.
Here are six reasons people fail to achieve their goals:
1.They have no chance to reach them because their goals are unrealistic.
2.They have no focus – they set too many goals.
3.They lack motivation – their goals aren’t challenging or inspiring.
4.They are not interested – their goals don’t seem personally relevant.
5.Their goals have no impact –the goals are toov ague.
6.They have no plan – they don’t know how to reach their goals.
Great post! Here are my opinions:
1. I totally agree that some have no chance of reaching goals due to them being unrealistic. This also sets the tone for future failure. If they fail to reach one goal, they are less likely to believe they can achieve another.
2. If the individual has a say in the goals, this should not be an issue, but sometimes others place too much on an individual, setting them up for failure.
3. Again, totally agree. If someone is not motivated, they simply will not put forth the effort necessary.
4. Agree. If you do not care about the light at the end of the tunnel, what's the point of getting there??
5. Agree. Guidelines need to be set on exactly what the goal is and the desired outcome.
6. Agree. This is where leadership comes into play!
I've certainly seen the unrealism of goals lead to failure, especially if the goals are being set by people who have no clear knowledge of how thing actually work for the people doing the work. It's amazing how frequently practical implentation is overlooked.
Christine,
yes, the individual's background can definitely have an impact on goal setting & goal attainment.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I also believe that goals are not met because our kids today have a sense of entitlement by being falsely praised for little effort, and rewarded for tasks that they didn't do. Kids that lose in comeptitions, whether sports or academics,are rewarded with participation certificates or trophies they didn't earn because it helps them feel better. When they reach college age, this mentality carries over. There is nothing wrong with rewarding achievement but it becomes a problem when you reward average effort or no effort at all.
Sundeep,
and I would add that, when speaking of personal goals, we may put too much emphasis on the total achievement to be successful. Meaning, if I set a goal to lose 10 pounds by Thanksgiving & I lose only 8, did I fail? Those are 8 pounds I wouldn't have lost unless I set the goal.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I would agree with these reasons. Here are some of my own insights as I think of staff and students who struggle with this.
Re (1) sometime unrealistic trumps real life challenges to an ambitious goal. This is one reason why having support and feedback regarding the goals with experienced higher ups is helpful if they are approachable
(2) Many times people are influenced to set goals and pressure also adds to the need to have layers upon layers of goals. Though each person needs to know their limitations. As well as their boss.
(3) I think this is key to the heart of success. Motivation has to come from within. That said I agree but I think a good manager will re focus and empower their staff
(4) Related to 3's comment. Relevance is key. Personally, I know when a goal is not relevent to me, I can simply check out if I dont search for the meaning behind it and how it may or may not relate.
(5) given
(6) Goals without a plan is like a map from LA to New York without highway routes on them.
Erica,
this is excellent. If we can help the students start off by setting goals, etc they will be positioned for so much more success.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Erica,
this is excellent. If we can help the students start off by setting goals, etc they will be positioned for so much more success.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Very good points. I will start an orientation class next term and I believe it is worth the time to address these points. So many believe they have set a goal, however there is nothing to follow. Would love to see each one approach their goal with this in mind.
Warren,
it is true that an increasingly important part of our job is to fill that role as counselor/advisor.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Carl I see the same from my students they have no direction they seem to be here because they dont know what they want to do. I sometimes think they are looking at the instructor for direction. It is difficult as an instructor, they do not apply themselves and they are looking at us as a parent'. Where are ther parents?
mario,
and the more we can help these students to hold themselves accountable the greater chance they have of being successful.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Carl i see the same thing daily , no one has held the student accountable for anything in life at this point,parents tell them pick a school your getting a education. And the students confirm this themselves
Ian,
it really is important that our students realize goals should be challenging & stretching as well as fun.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I see this in many of my students, they have been told by parents that they have to do something with themselves and choose what the think will be fun. When the discover that its hard work they begin to fall shrot on their goals. I try to help them rgain their focus and point out the long term benefits of working hard to reach their goals.
Carl,
unfortunately this is sometimes the case. In these times I try to help them "own" it, but obviously this is not always possible.
Dr. Ryan Meers
One thing I see in some students is that they don't 'own' the goal. They have been pressured to go to school by someone else, often a parent. Accordingly, their efforts are half-hearted.
One thing I see in some students is that they don't 'own' the goal. They have been pressured to go to school by someone else, often a parent. Accordingly, their efforts are half-hearted.
Great Barbara. I wanted to comment on your comment regarding focus. This to me is a very important area as it seems many have difficulty here. Sometimes they get discouraged or just bored & then lose focus. We need to help people, especially young people, realize that life is tough sometimes & every job/task, etc gets "boring" at times. But we need to help them be disciplined & remain focused.
Ryan
