A new course toward your degree. A new job or a new diet. That book you were reading. Your workout. New Year’s resolutions. A business plan. Your life plan. A relationship. Attending church. Getting out of debt. Quitting smoking.
You were doing great – then you weren’t. What happened?!
What causes us to give up on our goals? Why do we so readily abandon our dreams? How can we just walk away?
Different
When our daughter was young, my parents came to spend a few days with us. For days, our daughter, Madison, looked forward to them coming.
The day they were to arrive I promised Madison that she could stay up late with me and wait for them. They finally pulled up in front of the house after 11:30 – way past her bedtime. (Don’t tell her mom!)
We visited with them for a few minutes, then Madison headed to bed.
A few minutes later I stopped by her room to say goodnight. As I turned to leave, Madison asked quietly, “Dad – is it going to be different?”
I didn’t quite understand what she was asking. So I responded, “What do you mean?”
She clarified, “Is it going to be different since Nana and Papa are here – Are we not going to pray?”
Now I’m not sure if this is your style or not – but Sarah and I pray with Madison every night. We have chosen to be purposeful about praying with Madison to give her the opportunity to pursue faith and hope. To learn to be generous as well as grateful. Until that moment, I hadn’t noticed how important this time had become to her – we are fulfilling precisely what we envisioned.
But what if I shrugged it off this one night. Would it turn into two? A week? Two weeks? Would we eventually quit altogether? Would something as simple, as good, as innocent as a visit from Grandma and Grandpa derail this important discipline for our family?
This experience reminded me of 3 reasons we walk away from meaningful goals:
1. Commitment
It’s not that you weren’t committed at all. You were. Maybe you just weren’t as committed as you thought you were.
I’ve seen this happen in the workplace – a leader has a huge vision for growth. The organization restructures, launches a new initiative, and begins gaining momentum. Then the negative feedback starts – and it comes from influential people. That’s when you find out how committed the leader really was – and how committed the team really was.
To many, commitment doesn’t mean much anymore. But I know it means something to you – you meant it and you’re going to follow through. You’re going to reach your goal! So get back on track today.
And tweet to the world –
[Tweet “I’m not giving up on my goals for the new year!”]
2. Purpose
Your success is dependent upon your understanding of why you do what you do. Did you have a purpose? Was it compelling?
I’ve seen many people give up on a diet because the goal is simply to lose weight. And while that may be a necessary and worthy goal, after a few weeks the motivation to lose a few pounds gives in to convenience and comfort.
You can read about why I changed my diet and how I lost 30 pounds. There was one reason – my purpose for doing so became a top priority in my life.
Revisit your purpose – if you haven’t thought through it, think through it now. Write it down. Make it memorable. Make it meaningful.
3. Distraction
Let’s face it – we’re all way too busy.
We live in a noisy world – a world of continuous distraction. Entertainment. Relationships. Family. Community. Technology. Life comes at you fast.
I’m not saying that these things – entertainment, relationships, fun, technology – are inherently bad. But your failure to follow through may simply be a byproduct of distraction – something other than your goal arrested your attention.
[Tweet “I have learned, to accomplish meaningful goals, you will have to be very intentional.”]
Yes – you’ll have to be obsessively disciplined. If you don’t control your time, your schedule, your calendar, there are plenty of people and endeavors that will gladly control it for you.
What was it?
What caused you to walk away from your goals? Your dreams? Your vision?
Whatever it was – it’s not too late! You are not a failure. Take a few moments to refocus on your original goal. If you had more than one – just pick one. Get moving again in one area. Take one step – today. As you make progress you’ll find energy and momentum to tackle more.
So…a few minutes past midnight I laid down next to Madison and we prayed. And we’ll do it again tonight.
Don’t Give Up
I have developed or modified several tools that keep me on track – personally and professionally. I’m including the list here to make it easy for you to access. Check out the articles, then send me an email to let me know how I can encourage you. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
- Your Life Matters
- 3 Reasons Everyone Should have a Life Plan
- Creating Your Business Vision
- Get Better Results – Today!
- Importance of my Weekly Review
- The Importance of My Quarterly Review – Template Included
- The Importance of an Annual Review – Guide Included
- Plan Your Year with Your Annual Plan – Template Included
- 6 Steps For Making ANY Major Decision – Free Template
- One-on-One Meetings That Work
Bonus!
If you’re serious about your goals. If you REALLY want to accomplish your vision and dreams, pick up a copy of Creating Your Business Vision in your favorite format from your favorite retailer. The book provides a step-by-step guide for fulfilling your vision. Get your copy today – and send one to a friend!
Paperback – from Amazon | Barnes & Noble | CreateSpace
What keeps you from accomplishing your goals is family, job and friends. We make others a priority in our lives. Not realizing that our dreams, goals and aspirations are just as important as theirs and often times can make us better for them.
So true! It’s extremely hard, if not impossible, to accomplish/master more than one life-changing goal at a time. Enjoy your weekend!
For me, and many others, stating my goal in public is counter-productive. I feel like I have to produce results since others will be watching. As a result, instead of focusing on step-by-step progress (and enjoying it for its own sake), I worry about results and my motivation wears off.
Great point. You are not alone – there are many who, like you, are not motivated by results. But are motivated rather by the journey.
If you aren’t wired for a results-oriented approach to goals, you will feel guilty, discouraged, and eventually be crushed under the weight of the goal.
Thanks for connecting!