All Psyched Up: Barriers to reaching goals

By DR. LINDA HANCOCK on August 26, 2023.

Often, I hear people state that they have set goals and worked toward them for a period of time only to give up completely. There can be several reasons for this:

1. Expectations – We are never disappointed unless we have expectations but, unfortunately, our expectations can sometimes be unreasonable. We might set a goal that is too large to accomplish in the timeframe that we set out.

2. Unexpected events – Life does not always go as smoothly as we hope, and things can occur that we just didn’t plan. When the goal is too large or to be reached within a tight schedule, these unexpected events can throw everything off course.

3. Motivation – It is easy to be excited at the beginning or near the end of a project. The middle part, however, can be difficult and this is often the time when we are tempted to quit.

4. Other priorities – Having too many goals or activities can be a formula for disaster. Those who are stressed and fatigued usually must choose where they will invest their limited time and energy. It is better to have a few smaller goals that can be accomplished over a period of time that have a calendar that is so full you could never do everything well or on time.

5. Lack of reward – We all like to be recognized and see improvements in our lives so doing the same things over and over again without noticeable change or acknowledgement can be disheartening.

6. Fuzzy thinking – When we generalize or lack structure in our goals, we can pretty much be guaranteed to not reach them. For example, when you say, ‘I would like to learn another language,’ the chances of doing this are slim. Better to say, ‘I am registering for a class in French this week’. Be clear about what you really want and the steps you will take in the near future.

7. Lack of support – People can criticize us for having goals they don’t think are worthy. Others might be silent about their opinions but give off a ‘negative scent’ about them. On the other hand, those who have people to join them in the goal or cheer them on, have a much better chance of reaching it.

8. Procrastination – There is an old adage that states, “Talk is cheap.” Making statements without taking action is just cheap talk. There is no better time than today to begin setting and taking steps toward goal attainment.

9. Revision – Sometimes we get partway into goal achievement and realize we really don’t want to do what we started out to do. You might start a career and find out that there is a better option or something to which you would be more suited. Maybe you have reached the goal of paying off your house mortgage but now want to live in a condo. Revising or setting new goals keeps life interesting.

10. Excuses – Some state they can’t achieve a goal because they are too old, too poor, too lazy or too weak. All of these ideas are just excuses that can be discounted by examples of hundreds of people who have met the same goals despite experiencing the same things that others use as excuses.

All of us have had and continue to have goals in our lives. Realizing them and enjoying success is much easier once we have learned to overcome the 10 barriers listed.