Are you over it?  Set them, miss them – set them, miss them….the cycle goes on.  So why the heck can’t we make things happen?  If we know, we can change it, right?  So whether it’s a personal goal, or a new project for your nonprofit, let’s see what’s going on.

Here are the four reasons why those goals don’t get achieved:

1. You’re just not that into it.   Let’s face it – if it’s not exciting, if the juices aren’t flowing, if accomplishing the goal won’t really make that much difference, then what’s the point?  Did someone else suggest that goal for you?  Do you feel like it’s the one you should focus on?

What if you set your priorities based on what you’re really passionate about, and what could really have an impact at work or home?  See – you’re already starting to get interested!!  I used to set goals around updating communication materials (snooze) but that was about mechanics and it just felt like more work to me.  When I shifted my focus and set goals based on how we could increase confidence levels in teens, then I got psyched and the goal took on new meaning.

What will have meaning for you?

2. You don’t believe it’s possible, and you don’t know how to begin.   This is when I think about those 10 pounds I’m going to lose.  Yeah, right.  Unless I staple my mouth shut, it’s not going to happen.

Sometimes we are excited about our goals, but we don’t know how to get it done.  Is it too big?  Too different from anything you know? One of the most important things you can do is break it down.  When I stopped setting annual goals, and set seasonal goals instead, I no longer froze at the thought of a new goal.   And sometimes we aren’t sure how to tackle a new idea –  so who does have experience in that area? Anything is possible if you understand how to work toward it, so do your research and stay committed.

What is just one step you can take toward that elusive goal?

3. You have too many of them.  Okay, you over-achievers.  Count them up…..do you have 6 or 9 or 27 really important goals?  Put on the brakes and re-assess.  If you continue to compete with yourself, you will work in circles and achieve very little.

What if you only set 1 or 2 major goals for the next season?  Let’s aim for simplicity. The odds go way up that you will achieve these goals.  So instead of setting targets related to developing  two new programs, buying a new facility, recruiting 7 new board members, raising a million dollars, creating a new web site,  revising your mission statement and sending out 200 Christmas cards in the next two weeks……pick one.  Slow down and focus your energy.

What is the very top priority at work or home?

4. You aren’t accountable to anyone.   Here it is – the real deal breaker.  You can be excited about your most important goal, and you can start taking steps toward it, but the number one reason we don’t get it done……is follow through.  And who is going to know if we didn’t tell anyone?  I can live with letting myself down.

But what if our best friend, running partner, colleague, funder is aware of the goal?  Yikes.  That changes things.  Plus, it creates another resource for you to draw on when you may be feeling low on energy or out of ideas.  In many of our organizations, we work in teams, so at work there may be a greater chance of success.  But at times, your goals will be dependent primarily upon your actions, so go ahead and find a buddy to share with.

Who do you trust to support you?

Over the past few months, I have had the privilege of working with the boards of several organizations who are setting strategic initiatives for the next few years.  Doing it effectively in order to ensure success is hard work!

And oh so worth it.

So keep these 4 things in mind as you get ready to forge into the new year.   Then decide. And you will create great things.

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