A Real Look at Common Goal-Setting Mistakes and How to Finally Make Progress That Lasts.
We all have short-term or long-term goals, whether they are to make our lives better, raise money, or get healthier. Aren’t you?
Alright, let’s be real for a second. How many times have you set a goal, gotten super hyped about it, and then… nothing?
Maybe you crushed it for a week or two, but eventually, life got in the way, and that goal just quietly faded into the background, right?
I’ve been there more times than I’d like to admit. After 13 years as a middle school physics teacher, 6 years of jiu-jitsu, and 4 years of blogging and writing online, you’d think I’d have the whole goal-setting thing down.
Nope!
Time and time again, I realized I was setting goals that weren’t sticking. And the worst part? I couldn’t figure out why.
But here’s what I’ve learned after all those fails—most of us suck at setting goals because we’re doing it wrong from the jump.
Why We Fail at Goal Setting?
1. We’re Too Vague!
The first problem? Our goals are too vague.
- I want to get fit.
- I want to save money.
- I want to learn English.
- I want to become a writer.
- ….
Cool, but what does that even mean? Without a clear definition, you have no idea what success looks like.
If you don’t know where you’re going, how will you know when you’ve arrived?
Let us look at the goal “I want to save money.”
I need to have a good idea of where my money comes from and where it goes. Then I need to make a plan to save money by cutting out unnecessary costs. I also need to be responsible and keep track of my progress every day or week.
2. We Overestimate Motivation
The second big issue? We rely too much on motivation.
Look, motivation is a fickle friend. One day it’s there, the next day it’s not, and when it’s gone, so is your willpower.
The truth is, if your goal-setting plan depends on you being motivated 24/7, it’s going to crash and burn—hard.
3. We Forget to Plan for Obstacles
Oh, man! we forget that life happens. Of course, there will be problems and challenges along the way. It’s not easy, isn’t it?
We set these ideal goals with the best-case scenario in mind, but we never account for the tough days.
Then, when things get messy (and they always do), we’re unprepared and our goals fall apart which makes us sad 😔
4. We’re Impatient
I want it and I want it now!
As always, we have a lot of things on our list of things to do.
But, the worst part? We expect instant results, aren’t we?
I really want to learn English very much. My new goal is very important to me. So I blocked 4 hours weekly to learn and practice English. A month later, though, I asked myself, “Why still can not speak fluently?” Then I lost interest and quit quickly.
Honestly, being impatient and not allowing the appropriate time to achieve a goal makes us quit.
Progress is slower than we hoped, but we shouldn’t get discouraged and quit.
How to Get Better at Setting Goals?
1. Be Specific
Here’s the fix: Be specific. Don’t just say, “I want to get in shape.”
Say, “I want to lose 10 pounds in 3 months by working out 3 times a week and meal prepping every Sunday.”
When you get specific, you give yourself a roadmap to follow.
2. Focus on Systems, Not Motivation
Forget about motivation and focus on systems.
What’s your daily or weekly routine that’s going to get you to your goal?
For me, in jiu-jitsu, I stopped saying, “I’m going to get better.”
Instead, I committed to showing up to class three times a week no matter what.
It wasn’t about feeling motivated; it was about having a system in place that I could stick to.
3. Plan for Setbacks
And here’s the thing—plan for obstacles. Life’s going to throw curveballs, so expect them.
If you know you’re going to have busy weeks or low-energy days, set smaller, manageable goals for those times.
Adjust, don’t quit.
4. Play the Long Game!
Finally, be patient. Goals worth achieving take time.
Instead of focusing on how far you still have to go, celebrate the small wins along the way.
Remember, progress is progress—even if it’s slower than you expected.
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What You Should Remember?
Setting goals isn’t just about writing down a wish and hoping for the best. It’s about clarity, consistency, and grit.
Don’t rely on motivation.
Build systems that keep you moving forward, plan for the tough times, and be patient with the process.
You’ll get there, but only if you play the long game.
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