This post is all about the most common goal-setting mistakes you are probably making and how to fix them.

Setting goals is an essential step in achieving success, but it’s not always as straightforward or simple as it seems. In this blog post, we’ll be diving into the 5 most common mistakes that people make when it comes to goal setting and how to avoid them. 

From unrealistic expectations to poor planning, we will explore the pitfalls that can derail your goal-setting efforts.

So without further introduction let’s begin!

You are not being specific enough

If you were to search on Google for “goal setting methods” you’ll probably find either the S.M.A.R.T. method (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound) or the T.A.R.G.E.T. method (tangible, affirmative, realistic, gains, evidence and time-bound).

But if you notice both of them share a couple of characteristics in common. One of them is tangible/specific- which is the one I want to focus on right now.

When we get to writing our New Year’s resolutions list we are so used to writing goals like “learn a new language” or “create a savings account”.

But let me ask you a question, which of these goals seems easier to achieve:

• Learn photography or enroll in a photography course and learn the basics in 3 months.

If you had to create an action plan for these goals which one do you find easier?

• Work out more or enroll in a Pilates class three times a week.

And you’ll probably say to me, “Sofia, they’re basically the same goal”.

They are, but if you had to create an action plan for both of these goals which one would you find easier? With which one do you almost see yourself in the finish line when you read them out loud?

I’m going to bet it’s the second one, right?

Well, that’s specifically the work you have to do when you set goals. It’s not as simple as throwing a wish in the air and praying it becomes true.

There has to be a planning behind, a strategy. And I don’t mean a James Bond kind of plan. But definitely something more tangible than “eat healthier”.

Here are some of the things that differentiate “boring goals” from tangible and specific ones:

• They have a deadline. Yes, I know this is technically one of the points in both the SMART and TANGIBLE methods. But I’m including it here to highlight the importance of setting a time frame. 

DISCLAIMER: this deadline does not need to be set in stone. We set deadlines firstly to avoid entering a never-ending cycle of procrastination and secondly, to create that sense of urgency and challenge. But don’t let this deadline stress you out or be any indicator of your self-worth and your capabilities to meet it.

You can always go back and adapt or even change those deadlines.

• They specify exactly what you want to achieve. If you look at the examples we mentioned earlier, the more “tangible goal” is specific to what we want to achieve. They don’t cut short on learning photography, but they take it up a notch by saying “learn the basics”- which again is far more tangible than the first goal and will help you create better action plans.

You are not considering your long-term goals

Thinking about the future, and having a vision for the next 5 years is absolutely great. It is really.

But what about your short-term goals? What about the things you want to achieve in the next year, or the next 6 months?

The truth is those goals deserve the same attention as your long-term ones.

But I want to take it up a notch and say that your short-term goals are what’s going to shape your life in 5 years. The things you are doing this month will probably influence the next six, just the same way what you are doing today, will affect your tomorrow.

What I’m trying to say is that your future is not shaped by your long-term goals, but by the things you do today, the routines you have, the habits you naturally do, and the short-term goals you set.

So when setting both long and short-term goals, remember to connect them as much as possible. Divide your long-term goals into smaller ones, and adapt your routines to those goals so they align, working together toward the same end goal.

That way you are making sure you have both of them present while making consistent and steady progress toward those bigger life goals.

One step at a time, and one day at a time.

Not reviewing or adjusting your goals

Life would be pretty great if everything we wanted went according to plan. But for better or for worse that is rarely the case.

And that can be applied from the vacation to the beach you plan to the action plan for your goals.

Like when you realize how difficult it is to balance your goal with the other thousands of things you have to do in a day. Or when procrastination gets the best of us (or self discipline for that matter).

There are a million things that can change our plans, perspective, timeline, etc. This means creating an action plan for our goals is as important as knowing how to adapt them when change hits us hard in the face.

Here are a couple of things you should include in your reviewing plan:

Firstly, how often should you do it?

The truth is that’s completely up to you. Weekly and monthly reviews are the most common, but it all comes down to your goals. Are you trying to create the habit of meditating 5 minutes daily? Then a weekly review is probably the best option.

If want to achieve has to do with improving your finances, then a monthly check-up point is probably the best option for you.

What should I review?

Here are some key points you should take into account:

• Progress toward the goal
• Challenges and setbacks
• Achievements and Successes: Celebrate your accomplishments and milestones reached since the last review. Recognizing progress can help maintain motivation and momentum.
• Adjustments to Action Plans: Evaluate the effectiveness of your current action plans and strategies. Decide if you need to make any adjustments or modifications to better align with your goals.
• Feedback and Lessons Learned: Reflect on the lessons learned from your experiences since the last review and what lessons can you extract from them.

Okay, I’ve reviewed my goals and progress, but how do I adjust my action plans?

• First start by identifying areas of improvement. This could mean redefining your strategies, overcoming specific challenges, or reflecting on the tools and resources you need in your journey.
• Set new objectives and milestones (if necessary). Review your goals, milestones, and/or deadlines based on your reflections and setbacks you have encountered.
• Modify your action plans. Are there any steps you did not foresee, did you find that some action steps require more time than you thought? Would it make things easier if you divided bigger action steps into smaller more manageable tasks? Take all of this into account and make sure to reflect those changes in your action plan.

You don’t have the right motivation

And I want to clarify something here before we jump into this point. It’s not that you don’t have the right type of motivation for your goals. But it’s your goals that don’t fit with you.

Let me explain. We normally set goals based on external expectations, our society, or becasue we are comparing ourselves to others, rather than aligning them with our true passions, values, and strengths. So in the end, even if we have the motivation to achieve these goals, they may not bring us true fulfillment or satisfaction because they don’t resonate with who we truly are.

Goals are kind of like relationships in that way. It’s not always about overthinking whether the other person likes us or not. It’s about thinking if you like that person enough to invest your time, energy, and effort in them.

So I guess what I’m asking you is if your goals are the right fit for you. Do they complement your dream life?

Do they make you feel excited? Do they help you become a become a better person?

And here’s one way to make sure your goals are the perfect match for you: they have to align with your core values.

Core values are the kind of things we move for. They are the compass of our life. And each one of us has a different set of values.

Values are the fundamental beliefs that guide your actions and determine your priorities. Values are like your personal checklist for knowing if your life is feeling good, fulfilling, successful, and happy. And inside that checklist, you’ve got your core values – the big ones that really light you up when you talk about them.

What’s great about core values is once you figure out what yours are, they become this life GPS, showing you what really matters, what you stand for, what drives you, and what makes you feel awesome.

Knowing your core values also helps with setting boundaries and knowing when to say “enough is enough” while still respecting yourself.

And in this case, figuring out if you have the right motivation for your goals.

If you don’t know what yours are, here’s a quick step-by-step guide:

• Write down your values. Check out the list of core values linked below and jot down any that really resonate with you, as well as any that describe your feelings or actions well. Feel free to add any other values that come to mind.

A helpful tip I’ve found is to read the words aloud and see how they make you feel.

Here’s a list of 100 values you can browse through to discover yours!

• Categorize your values into related groups. Now that you’ve got your list of values, let’s categorize them into groups. Look for values that are related and group them. For example, if you’ve written down growth, learning, and personal development, those could all go in one category.

Once you’ve grouped your values, pick a word that best captures the essence of each group. You can keep the other words in parentheses next to the central theme to provide context.

For instance, if your group includes learning, personal development, and growth, and you feel personal growth is the most resonant, your list would change from “learning, personal development, and growth” to “Value: personal development (learning, growth)”.

• Choose your core values. Lastly, it’s time to choose your core values. Take a look at your grouped values and rank them in order of importance choosing between 3 to 5 core values. 

If you have more, consider what’s truly essential to you. Remember, the order matters, so list your values from most meaningful to last!

Your goals are not affirmative

What I’m going to say next may sound absurd and a no-brainer, but your goals need to be affirmative. 

Your goals should be framed in the affirmative because it sets a clear and positive direction for your actions and mindset.

Putting your goals into the affirmative is thr difference between saying “I want to achieve this” instead of “I want to avoid that” and they help you set a clear and positive direction for your mindset and actions.

But more than that setting affirmative goals help us with:

• Being positive: Affirmative goals keep you in a positive mindset. Instead of focusing on what you don’t want, you’re all about what you do want. And that positive vibe keeps you motivated and bouncing back even when things get tough.
• You Feel in Control: Saying what you want to achieve puts you in the driver’s seat, it puts you in control making you own your goals. 
• Visualizing Success: Affirmative goals are all about visualizing that success and making it real. When you can see yourself winning, you’re more likely to make it happen keeping that motivation high.
• Matches Your Values: As we said in the previous point your goals should line up with what matters most to you. Affirmative goals are like that—they’re all about what you believe in and what gets you excited so when your goals match your values, you’re all in.

Final thoughts on goal-setting mistakes

In conclusion, setting goals is more than just writing down dreams on a piece of paper. There’s a strategy behind them and it involves aligning your aspirations with your core values, crafting specific and achievable objectives, and framing them in positive affirmations. 

Remember to avoid the mistake of not having a review plan in place and solely focusing on short-term goals without considering your long-term ones.

By avoiding these common mistakes in goal planning, you can set yourself up for success from the very beginning. 

Let your goals be the compass that guides you towards a purpose-driven life. Here’s to setting meaningful goals that empower you to thrive and build your dream life!