Mistakes to Avoid in Goal Setting
Having goals is one of the best ways to keep yourself on track to reach all of your dreams. You are going to get the most out of your goals and achieve far more if you can avoid some of the biggest mistakes in goal setting.
Let’s explore some of the most common mistakes in goal setting and how you can avoid them.
Having goals that are too small- Some may say that setting your goals too big is a mistake but I think it is better to set large goals. I think the mistake lies in setting goals that are too small and not stretching ourselves. One of my favorite quotes is by Michelangelo and he says, “”The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.” It is easy to accomplish small goals but small goals never really push us, get us out our comfort zone or help us master life. Big goals will push you, help you grow, help you overcome your fears and help you increase the realm of what you see as possible. Even if you set big goals and don’t reach them you will go much farther than if you set small goals that just keep you in your comfort zone.
Having goals that are too general-When you are goal setting you need to be specific as possible. Unless you are specific it is hard to work to attain and measure your goals. For example if your goal is,”I want to be making more money in a year,” it will be harder to reach that goal or measure how close you are unless you set a more specific goal. So you want to choose a more specific goal like, “I want to be making $10,000 a month by March in my business.”
Having too many goals-You may have lots of goals you want to accomplish in your life but it is hard to make them happen if you don’t have focus. Focusing on too many things at once will not get you very far. You have heard the saying Jack of all trades master of none. Same thing goes for goal setting, if you are trying to accomplish too many at once you might find reaching that goal is tough. Concentrate on 1 or 2 goals at a time and then move on to your additional goals.
Not writing goals down-It may seem silly to write things down when you know what you want to accomplish. Writing goals down is important for several reasons. Writing things down helps give you clarity for your goals. When you get goals down in writing it gives your subconscious mind some instructions on what to work on accomplishing. Writing it down also helps you to remember things, keeps you accountable, and shows that you are serious.
I think you will find if you avoid these mistakes when you are doing your goal setting you are going to reach your goals much quicker and accomplish some pretty incredible things.
I would love to hear your comments, what are some mistakes you have made or have seen people make in goal setting? What have you found has helped you be successful in your goal setting?
Angela Paige
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Hi Angela,
powerful post. The question whether a goal is too small or too big is only determined by the time frame. Is building a 1,000,000 $ residual income business a goal that’s too big ? If you want to build it in a year or less, probably. But if you want to build it in 3 years, it appears doable.
If we set a big goal with an adequate time frame, then we have to be humble enough in order for us to appreciate the first $ we make.
Thanks for sharing your insights.
Take care
Oliver
Oliver Tausend´s last [type] ..Oliver Tausend’s Blog- Thanks To Top Commentators In October
Twitter: luckyoliver70
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Angela Reply:
November 28th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Hey Oliver! That is true that time frame does make a big difference. I agree with your comment about being humble as well. You really do need to appreciate the money you make in the beginning. Thanks for your insightful comments!
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Great Stuff Ang, especially writing them down, I write my affirmations daily and that has helped me a lot.
Ray Higdon´s last [type] ..The Worst People to Talk To About Your Network Marketing Business Opportunity
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Angela Reply:
November 28th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Thanks Ray! It is really is amazing what writing things down can do for you. I think that is a great idea to write down your affirmations as well.
Thanks for sharing!
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Angela I loved your post and totally agree with writing goals down. If I don’t write half of the things down that needs to be done in a day, it just may not happen. Why should goals be any different?
Delicia Jenkins´s last [type] ..You Are Afraid of Heights Aren’t You
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Angela Reply:
November 28th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Hey Delicia! Yeah, if I don’t write things down it is easy to get distracted and not do what I need to do. It is very helpful for goals to have them written down. Thanks for your comment!
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Great post, Angela! One area where I would modify it, though, is that I think that we can set smaller goals, as long as we realize that they are intermediate. For example, if you want to make $10,000 in March, it is also a good idea to say that you want to make $4000 this month, or something else along that path. Keep up the good work!
Twitter: stevetheowl12
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Angela Reply:
November 28th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Hey Steve! I agree it is okay to set smaller more immediate goals as long as you have the bigger picture in mind. Thanks for your comment!
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Hello Angela,
Thank you for this interesting post on how we can achieve our goals. Having goals that are too general – very relevant – as many people have vague goals that are more like dreams, and we have to make them more speficic.
Many thanks for your thought-provoking blog.
All best wishes,
Diane
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Angela Reply:
November 28th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Hi Diane! That was a huge point of this post that people have vague goals that are like their dreams and they need to be more specific to get you where you want to be. Thanks for your comment!
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The shotgun approach is deadly in many ways – in goal setting (as you say, too many goals) and also-
too many businesses
too many social media sites
too many gurus at one time
too many niches
Lack of focus is seems soooo pervasive.
Richard Goutal´s last [type] ..Collaboration for Entrepreneurs A Sampler of Ideas
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Angela Reply:
November 28th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Oh you are so right! Lack of focus does seem so pervasive. I agree with your points such as too many business, social sites, niches, gurus. Thanks for your comment!
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Angela this post is TOTALLY AWESOME! I teach this stuff around the world but you explained it in a brief and simple formula. Love it. Might steal it from you if you approve it! lol…..
Edward Munoz
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Angela Reply:
January 11th, 2011 at 10:21 pm
Hey Edward! Yes, feel free to steal this. I am glad you like it!
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