Five Obstacles to Achieving Goals and How to Manage Them

Five Obstacles to Achieving Goals and How to Manage Them

Have you set goals and failed to reach them?

Be encouraged. You are not alone. Hold tight to your dreams. Keep setting goals. If you have experienced a setback, reset, and commit to making progress.

Perhaps you are familiar with goal setting, and you set goals according to the acronym, SMART. Yet, even though the goals were Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-Sensitive, there was a breakdown. Bottom Line: The goals were not reached.

For years, I have studied goal setting and the gap between setting goals and actual achievement.

Here are a few reasons people fail to attain their goals:

Technology

The complexity and the endless challenges people face with technology can derail any project.

Have backup equipment, saved files, and help ready to step in when a glitch or full-blow crisis happens. Most people are forgiving with it comes to technological glitches. However, when service failures and goals are not attained, there can be consequences.

Too Many Goals

Imagine setting goals. Then more goals are added. The overload becomes obvious. Schedule the goals on a calendar, and when it becomes clear deadlines will be missed, stop and ask yourself, “Which of these goals should be handled first?” That way it is possible to see the big picture and establish priorities. Do not forget to delegate. Practice reverse delegation by giving a task or tasks back to the person who assigned the goal or goals.

Workspace Turmoil 

Clutter can lead to all kinds of problems. File disorganization and misplaced documentation increase anxiety. Not being able to find important information can lead to unmet goals.  Set a SMART goal to clean up the workspace. Make this a priority. Be sure to meet the goal.

Insufficient Resources or Money

If a project is underfunded or the resources are not available, goals may come to nothing, For example, use Gantt charts to schedule the arrival of supplies and personnel. Set and monitor budgets. Anticipate supply chain interruptions. Put policies in place well in advance.

Emergencies

Although emergencies may be beyond our control, there can be plans in place to mitigate the fallout from an emergency or unplanned absence. If someone has to step into a given position, make sure a contingency plan is in place. For example, have a set of written procedures, so another person or persons can take over in the interim.

As I mentioned, you are not alone. Others have been where you are. Be encouraged. Keep setting SMART goals. If you are overwhelmed, communicate the situation and delegate. Don’t give up.

Tell me what you think below and please join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.