| While we all may know a lot about how to set goals, | | | | 6. We don't make any lifestyle changes to |
| many of us are still not good at actually achieving | | | | accommodate new habits. |
| them, even the realistic ones. Far too often we stall | | | | 7. We don't have patience with ourselves; we expect |
| out soon after we start, if we even start at all. | | | | perfection; and we give up/give in too easily. |
| Just like New Year's Resolutions, we start off with | | | | 8. We try to do too much too quickly. |
| the best of intentions. But, then "life happens" and | | | | 9. We don't have a plan to get back on track when |
| those goals quickly fall off our radar. We may still | | | | setbacks or interruptions occur. |
| desperately wish to be able to check off that box as | | | | 10. Our goals aren't top-of-mind priorities that we |
| "Complete" but we never seem to even get close to | | | | remind ourselves of repeatedly/daily. |
| that. | | | | Sure, we could hire a coach or find some friends to |
| So, why don't we succeed at our goals? Let's look at | | | | hold us accountable. That works for some people. |
| some of the most common reasons: | | | | But if we are excuse-prone, even the best of |
| | | | coaches or friends won't succeed in getting us to |
| 1. We don't break down our larger goals into | | | | achieve our goals. Sure they can offer tips, |
| manageable chunks. | | | | encouragement and support. But the secret is that |
| 2. Mentally, we don't believe our goals are | | | | ultimately, success has to come from within us. |
| non-negotiable Musts. | | | | We need to motivate ourselves, because: |
| 3. Our motivation doesn't include strong enough | | | | - we are the only ones who will be doing the work, |
| reasons to "move away" from negative | | | | - we are the only ones who will enjoy the results, |
| consequences AND to "move towards" positive | | | | and |
| results. | | | | - we are the only ones who will be living with the |
| 4. We never take that first step or regularly prepare | | | | consequences of not following through on those |
| plan for the next step. | | | | goals, too. |
| 5. We don't create a realistic daily routine that we | | | | It's our choice, what do we really want for |
| can stick to "religiously". | | | | ourselves? |