Why Is Goal Setting So Hard?
- Reem Abdullatif
- Nov 9, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 14, 2020
This year, a lot of us spent more time at home thinking about our hopes and dreams, goals and aspirations, and reshuffling our priorities. With 2020 coming to an end, many of us are thinking of what we want to accomplish in the new year, personally and professionally.
Many of my clients, close friends, and family members have struggled with setting personal and career goals. I've found that there are three common traps people fall into when goal setting. The next time you sit down to write or review your goals, here's what to look out for:
Know the difference between your own goals and other people's expectations of you. Ask yourself "who is this for?", and if the answer isn't a loud and resounding "it's for me!" then this isn't a goal. That doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. We all have responsibilities and obligations - things we do for our family, spouses, children, even our bosses. But goals are personal. So set aside time to dig deep and ask yourself "what really matters to me? what do I want?".
You don't have to set hard goals, your goal could capture an inspiration or a feeling. Personal goals, including career goals, are personal to you and they don't have to be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound). Your goal can be a vision, an inspiration, a mantra, or even a feeling. As long as it resonates with you, and you know how to identify it.
Your goal can be the journey itself, and not the destination. To me, this distinction makes all the difference. It allows me to be in a continuous state of happiness and feeling inspired, rather than chasing after something, or running towards a finish line. Think of it this way; you're not done living your life just because you've accomplished something. So why not write goals about how you want to live your life, and let the accomplishments come as a consequence?
Leave a comment below to let me know if you found this post helpful.
Need extra help setting goals for the new year? Find out more about my life coaching, career coaching, or coaching for wellness.
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