Reasons for Letting Go of Your Goal

When we decide to set a particular goal most of us do so with the expectation and intention of achieving it!

Our enthusiasm and motivation to achieve our goal is usually very high.  We may take the appropriate action to achieve our goal for a while... after a while, however, things change.

Setting goals is one thing... actually achieving them is something entirely different!  We've all done it, we've all set goals and then at some point our goals are no longer our focus.

It is important to become aware of the reasons our goals become abandoned rather than allowing it to happen without much thought.  Knowing why we let our goals go can often give us useful information for setting our goals in the future. 

Here are some common reasons why people let their goals go:

1) You don't know where to start to achieve your goal: you may have been reasonably clear about what you want to do but when it comes to actually taking action, you don't know where to start.  For example, you want to travel and work overseas for a year but you don't know what way to start to make this happen.

2) Procrastination strikes again!: you know what to do to achieve your goal but you just don't get around to taking the first step or consistently doing what is necessary for your goal to be achieved.  For example, your goal is to wake earlier in the morning and walk for 30 minutes before work but each morning when the alarm goes off you think how comfortable bed is and you tell yourself you will begin tomorrow.

3) Your goal no longer is important to you: when you first set your goal you thought it was something you really wanted to achieve but as you get well into achieving your goal, you realise it isn't what you want after all.  For example, you may have always wanted to be a social worker but after qualifying you realise you no longer have the same passion for this work.

4) You come across numerous obstacles and problems: you know there will be difficulties and obstacles to face and you do overcome many of them but at some point you just feel there are too many to deal with and you have run out of solutions. 

5) Your circumstances change: you may have a clear goal and a clear plan and you are well on your way to achieve your goal only to have circumstances occur in your life which need you to re-evaluate what you are doing and why you are doing it.  For example, your goal is to work overseas for a year and everything is set, including a job waiting for you on your arrival, but there is illness in your family and you are needing to stay home.

There are many reasons why people abandon their goals without achieving them... but depending on the reason for letting your goal go doesn't mean your goal has to be abandoned completely!

I've experienced each one of the above reasons (with different scenarios of course) for letting many of my goals go... and some goals were completely abandoned!

Have you ever let your goals go?  Are you aware of the reasons you didn't achieve the goals you set?  Click on the comment link below and share your experiences... it would be good to hear from you.

Warmly
Jeanne

Comments

[Ron Towns]

I think organization is absolutely key here. The question becomes... how do you organize your goals in an effort to prioritize what is most important to you?

For this, I'd suggest using a vision board. A vision board is a powerful tool that anyone can use to shape an ideal future through the power of intention and visualization. Learning how to vividly imagine your desired results -- attracting your perfect soul mate, radiant health, abundant career opportunities, or building personal and community relationships to give back -- is the first step on the path to making them happen.

A vision board - which is a collage of images that represent your goals, dreams, and intentions - allows you to break through unconscious, self-limiting beliefs that have been building in your subconscious mind for years, and really focus only on your important goals. In essence is helps separate your goals (your focus) from the background noise.

[Jeannie]

Good Morning Jeanne,

I have taken the opportunity to visit your blog, read its content and I really like what you have accomplished here. In fact, I believe we are on the same wave link where our thoughts are concerned. Thanks for stopping by site.

[Natural Health Remedies]

I think this is a brilliant concept and we truly set so many goals in life but realize very few of them...with the help of an organization or group with such a directive life should be easy and good.

[Soma]

This article really gave me an inspiration, I often do set some goals but most of it are abandoned by me too. I think I'm not responsible enough but I hope I can be more responsible for my own benefit and for my love ones.

[Sam]

Hi Jeanne,

I certainly find myself starting one project after another, very soon finding my enthusiam waning.

My goals seem great when I start out and the real secret is maintining the focus on the end goal when the hard work becomes reality. Just have to keep pushing through.
Sam

[Ravi]

You have very rightly pointed out that we all set goals, but at some point of time we drift away from our goals and our focus changes. This practically happens, I believe with most of us. You have laid the facts in a very interesting manner which makes the article interesting to read.
Thanks.