Avoid these 8 blocks to achieve your big goals

When I start working with a new coaching client, the first question I ask is “What result do you want from coaching?” Their answer is, in fact, the basis of a goal.

If you struggle to reach your goals, it’s probably for one of the following reasons. Consider some of these actions to overcome your blocks and achieve your big goals:

1. Feeling regret and negative energy around past failed goals. Process your feelings and learn from mistakes made in previously missed goals – this may be the obstacle to setting new goals.
   
   
2. The second most common issue I see is not acknowledging or celebrating goals that have been achieved. Celebrating milestones and achievements boosts our self-esteem and energy. This helps us to keep thriving.
   
   
3. Maintaining habits that don’t serve you or not changing your behaviour. For goals to be achieved, we often need behavioural change — for instance, increasing calls or networking with others if you want to get leads.
   
   
4. Having unrealistic deadlines to achieve a goal. This puts too much pressure on you. You may become disheartened or avoid the goal altogether.
   
   
5. Starting off with the wrong goal, or a goal that isn’t powerful or SMART (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic and Timebound) enough.
   
   
6. Not having a strong enough drive for wanting the goal. Do you know your WHY? A clear ‘why’ makes any ‘what’ possible!
   
   
7. Failing to put the goal in writing. Writing a goal down gives it substance and makes it feel more real. Sharing this goal with someone makes you more accountable.
   
   
8. Creating a goal around a ‘should’ or an ‘ought to’ makes it very tentative. Is this goal really what you want to achieve or is there something else you much rather do?
   
   

We need to embrace and enjoy our goals rather than avoid them. This can be done by approaching them with the right mindset and making them fun. We can achieve greater success and control of our results by setting the right goal.

Karl Grech coaches mid to senior leaders to enhance how they connect, influence, and inspire others. Karl is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF). He can be reached at [email protected] or visit www.karlgrech.com  to learn more.