Are These Four Goal Setting Mistakes Holding You Back?

Do you find yourself having a hard time accomplishing your goals?

Maybe, it’s the way you’ve set your goals in the first place. It could be that you are setting yourself up for failure, rather than the success you really want.

Despite the best intentions, there are four common traps that people typically fall into. These costly mistakes make it extremely challenging for you to reach your goals. You will realize greater success if you avoid these goal-setting traps:

1. Your goals are unclear. The more uncertainty in your goals, the less likely you are to achieve them. Create specific goals and determine exactly what you want to achieve. Attach terms, deadlines, and action steps to your goals that are concrete and measurable.

* Make sure you can measure and track your progress. There should be a specific point when you can tell that you’ve achieved your goal. “Network more” is not measurable, but “Attend 2 networking events each month” is. By attaching a reasonable target, you have now created a clear, concise, measurable goal.

2. Your goals aren’t really yours. You’re much more likely to reach your goals if they are your own goals. They should reflect your desires, not expectations that someone else has placed on you. While you can be inspired by other people’s goals and achievements, in order to drive your success the ones on your list need to be meaningful to you.

3. Your goals are too ambitious. While you need a healthy dose of ambition to launch while working, you can go over board and set unrealistic goals. Setting goals that are too lofty is an invitation to failure and frustration. Ensure that your goals are doable: break them into smaller, bite-sized , manageable tasks to increase the likelihood of success.

* Use the SMART strategy for goal setting: Make sure they are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. Your current goals don’t have stay hard to reach – simply break them down into new goals that are more realistic.

* Be careful: Sometimes your goals can be too easy and that can also be detrimental. If you don’t feel challenged, it may be hard to value that the goal as worth your time and effort.

4. You haven’t told anyone about your goals. Are you keeping your goals a secret? If so, you are more likely to abandon them. Solution: Tell every supportive ear you can find about your goals. Put them out where public eyes can see them so your network and support system can help motivate you to get things done.

* Remember, one of the steps in the Employedpreneur Blueprint is to develop a support system. These like-minded individuals can build you up and help you stay on track with the drive you need to reach your goals.

These four pitfalls may seem simple, but they can have an enormous influence on your ability to reach the goals you set around launching your business. By avoiding these four traps to effective goal-setting, it will be easier for you to overcome obstacles along your employedpreneur journey.

Your Turn: Are you on track with reaching the goals you’ve set for launching your business? If you are, share what’s kept you on the path to success. If you are struggling – share what your challenges are and what you think would help you get unstuck.

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012 Tai Goodwin

Tags: goals, planning

Category: Growing Your Business, Personal Development