Over the next few weeks you’ll probably read a lot of stuff online about how you should be reflecting on what you achieved in 2023 and setting your goals for 2024. Goals are powerful because they give direction, clarity, and focus to thrive in your career.
But I wanted to write something about goals that’s not the usual “New Year, New You” rubbish that piles on the pressure about goals that are all but forgotten about by mid February...
“A person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for” (Tom Bodett, American author and broadcaster)
If we need goals, for a meaningful and fulfilling existence, why bother setting them if we’re not going to follow them through? Why is it so hard to make progress, follow through on tasks, or reach any objectives despite all the hours we spend on them?
To get to the bottom of this goal setting/ goal missing/ goal setting never ending cycle, the real reason so many of us don’t actually hit the goals we’ve set, we need to start by looking at how we set ourselves up for success. And we need to be brutally honest with ourselves about why we aren’t making progress.
Let's dive into how these barriers work and how you can overcome them in 2024;
Reason 1 - A lack of focus - try doing less to get more
It’s January, the season of new year resolutions. Brand new year, brand new diary, a brand new you? A mistake lots of people make is setting too many goals. Trying to do a million different things at once. A list of brand new commitments that requires a level of time, effort and capacity you’ve never previously displayed or had at your disposal.
You’re the same person you were in December. With the same energy levels, the same responsibilities and time available. The well meaning enthusiasm of January won’t magic up time and energy you don’t have. Doing one thing usually takes time and energy away from another. If you spread yourself too thin you’ll find yourself starting lots and finishing nothing.
Try this instead; Ask yourself "What's most important in my career right now?” and focus your time and energy there. It’s better to take one step with commitment every day than start 10 different things that never amount to much. Think about where you might get distracted and ask yourself every day/week/month “Will this help me achieve my goals?”
Reason 2 - Parkinson's law of triviality or “bike shedding”
The law of triviality is C Northcote Parkinson's 1957 argument that people commonly give disproportionate weight to trivial issues. "Bike Shedding" is another common term used an again it refers to our tendency for wasting time and energy on more trivial details than focusing on what is truly important. When working on their goals, many people spend more time on insignificant tasks and far less time on more impactful things.
For example you decide you want to write a book. You spend more time deciding on who can help you design the front cover (not so important) and less time writing the words (very important). Because the look of the front cover feels easier, whereas writing the actual words requires deep thought and effort. Although you’re technically working on the goal, what you’re doing will never get that book written as your time is being taken up with trivial stuff.
When “bike shedding” happens on an individual level it can keep you from meeting your goals.
Try this instead; Rank your priorities before you start. This will help you focus on what’s actually important to you. The Pareto Principle states that we spend just 20% of our time on the things that create 80% of our results. What are you avoiding because it feels difficult? Focus on what really gets you progress.
Reason 3 - Are you trying to be practically perfect?
According to psychologists, perfectionism can blind us to our achievements whilst enforcing impeccable - and often impossible- standards upon ourselves. Aside from the unworthy feelings perfectionism can create, it's also a form of avoidance. Beethoven didn’t wait until he was a master before he started playing the piano...
Try this instead; Accept that no one’s perfect. Let yourself be bad at things. Let yourself fail. Make peace with the “messy middle”, it’s a necessary step to learn, grow, and reach your goals in your career.
Reason 4 - They’re Not really Your Goals
Are your goals what you want or are they what you’re taught to go after? If you only do something because everyone told you to, you’ll feel unfulfilled, lose motivation, and struggle to achieve your so-called “goals.” Are your goals truly your goals, or are they just things everyone taught you to want?
Try this instead; What’s important to you? If you were to look back ten years from now, what would you like to be celebrating? What would you be disappointed if you hadn’t done or achieved? What are your values? What is important to you in terms of how you spend your time and what impact you have? Have goals that come from you; they need to be significant to you and your career or you’ll lack the motivation and drive to come anywhere near meeting them.
Reason 5 - There’s no accountability
Be honest, how well do you follow through with the promises and commitments you make to yourself? How often do you do what you say you’ll do? Do you set goals, but month after month, make no progress.
Getting into the habit of breaking promises to yourself makes it even harder to achieve your goals. Setting and forgetting on repeat has a negative cumulative effect on your self esteem and your confidence. If you keep breaking your promises you’ll lose any faith you have in your ability to make progress.
Try this instead; Learn to keep yourself accountable. Having outside accountability is great but no one should want your success more than you. Start following through with your commitments. Keep promises to yourself. Be specific about what you want to achieve and by when. What is your goal, what actions do you need to take, when will you review the progress you’ve made?
Reason 6 - You Don’t Actually Want to Achieve Your Goals
Why on earth wouldn’t someone want to achieve their goals?
You might not be aware of it but your subconscious is behind the wheel of your life. It’s sitting in the driving seat and it will do everything it can to avoid any potential risks or danger. Even if those dangers are imagined, not real. Underneath what you say you want might be some deep rooted fears;
Fear of success - what if I can’t actually do it?
Attaching self worth to your goals - what if I fail? This will prove I’m good enough.
You kind of want your goals instead of going after them like they are everything - half hearted commitment.
Try this instead; Remind yourself of why you want your goal in the first place. What difference would they make to your career? What will this milestone, achievement or outcome give you that you don’t currently have?
You’re already worthy—right now—whether you hit your goals or not. Your goals are for direction and clarity, not to measure you as a human being. No accomplishment will bring you validation.
Finally, start committing fully to your goals. How bad do you want them? If you don’t really want it, if it’s not really your goal or you feel a bit half hearted about it, make peace with it and take it off your list. If however you do want it, and it is important, then you need to shift your mindset from “wanting” to succeed to “doing whatever it takes”.
And if you are looking for a new year's gift to help you get started on goal setting when you are ready don’t forget to take a look at the 2024 Ready To Rise Career Planner. Each month you’ll get a career development theme to help you keep focused on energised on building the career you deserve. Find out more and get your copy here
I’m Amanda Owen Meehan, a Career and Leadership Coach who helps women get clarity and control over their careers to be more fulfilled and successful at work. If you’d like to know more about how I can help you achieve your career goals you can reach me by email at amanda@wearereadytorise.com or drop me a direct message here on LinkedIn.
コメント