December 19, 2010
What If I Can't Complete a Goal?
Source: MyGoals.com
There are a number of good approaches to take if you find that you are having difficulty in completing one of your goals, particularly if you begin to fundamentally doubt whether the goal is achievable or worth the effort.
- First, don't get discouraged.
It's worth noting that many of life's most difficult accomplishments are also some of the most worthwhile. And the most noteworthy accomplishments are, by definition, not common. That's because, if something were easy, then everyone would be doing it and it would no longer be very noteworthy. Not only is there nothing wrong with taking on tough challenges, many believe there is something wrong with only taking on easy goals that require no real effort or growth.
- Recognize partial accomplishment.
Partial accomplishment is still accomplishment. Suppose you're living a sedentary lifestyle and you set a goal to start running 10 miles every week. If you only manage to run eight miles most weeks, then it's important to recognize that this is a huge improvement over running none at all and that you have been much more successful than if you had never set the goal in the first place. Acknowledging partial success is very important if you intend to set challenging or lofty goals.
- Break large, difficult goals into smaller, manageable goals.
Large, difficult, or complex goals can be both overwhelming and discouraging if progress does not come quickly. The solution to both of these is to break the big goal into smaller goals, actually creating a separate goal plan for each part. By shelving some of the pieces until a later date, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed or discouraged.
- Use your personal support group.
When appropriate, call on trusted family and friends to help if they can, even if it just means lending encouragement (though be careful to avoid naysayers, who sometimes reside in the same house). Try to find people who've got first-hand experience doing what you're doing trying to do. Many people will give time and advice when they meet somebody else who's curious or passionate about whatever it is they're passionate about.
- Internalize the lesson of perseverance.
It is usually true that something, no matter how difficult, can be done if someone spends enough time trying to do it. If you think of any goal as requiring a finite number of steps (tasks), then each task completed is one step closer toward completion of the goal. Again, the key is often to break the steps down into what may seem to be absurdly simple tasks, but ones that you know you can complete, thereby making measurable progress and establishing forward momentum.
- Is it ever time to give up?
You are the only one who can decide when enough is enough and that it's time to move on to something different. Unfortunately, many people give up too soon, and some even establish a tradition of completing 50% of many things but 100% of nothing. Because our mission is to help you "get things done," and because we strongly believe in the power of perseverance, we naturally encourage you to keep on going.
However, we understand that goals change, as well as the underlying motivations for individual goals. And more importantly, we advocate and encourage balance (over the long-term, at least), meaning that an obsessive focus on one goal could eventually lead to unhealthy or destructive negligence of other aspects of one's life, such as the classic case in which career obsession leads to one's neglect of health or family obligations.
So in the interest of promoting healthy balance, we suggest that you frequently take stock of all of your goals, with an eye toward the balanced whole. If, at such a time, you decide that your emphasis needs to be shifted elsewhere for the time being, then consider rescheduling some of your goals (or tasks) for a later date.
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Make Measurable Progress with GoalsOnTrack
One thing that separates GoalsOnTrack from other goal setting products is its progress tracking features. Not only can you track a goal by completion percentage, but also by number of tasks completed, numerical targets such as dollar amount, weight, size, sales, etc. A main benefit of using GoalsOnTrack is that you will make measurable progress on your goals.
Give it a try today. We have 60-day money back guarantee so there is no risk to try.
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Copyright 2010 by GoalsOnTrack.com
This e-newsletter is published once a week by GoalsOnTrack, a web-based goal setting and tasks management software program that helps you get things done and achieve life goals.
Harry Che
Founder & CEO at GoalsOnTrack.com
Voice: 778-668-0386
Email: harry.che@goalsontrack.com
Web: www.goalsontrack.com
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