32: Another three reasons why people don’t achieve their goals

We all set goals, but not everyone reaches them. Why is that?

Last week, we explored three key reasons why people struggle to achieve their goals:

1) Questioning the purpose behind their goals, 
2) Misalignment with personal values, and 
3) Pursuing goals that aren’t truly their own.

Today, we're diving even deeper as I reveal three additional reasons that can hinder goal achievement, along with a highly effective tool for goal setting that delivers remarkable results.

Find the full transcript for this episode and other resources for women leaders at womenleadersunlimited.com/32.

Juanita is a Professional and Personal Mentor for Women Leaders.

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Transcript

We all set goals, but not everyone reaches them. Why is that?

Last week, we explored three key reasons why people struggle to achieve their goals: 1) Questioning the purpose behind their goals, 2) Misalignment with personal values, and 3) Pursuing goals that aren’t truly their own.

Today, we're diving even deeper as I reveal three additional reasons that can hinder goal achievement, along with a highly effective tool for goal setting that delivers remarkable results.

Find the full transcript for this episode and other resources for women leaders at womenleadersunlimited.com/32.

Reason 4: You Must Be Passionate About Your Goal

Let me start by asking you a question: Are you genuinely passionate about the goals you've set for yourself? I’m talking about a burning, all-consuming desire that drives you forward, even when the going gets tough. 

If you’re not engaged in achieving something you’re absolutely passionate about, then I'm going to be honest with you—forget it. Dump the goal now. It’s simply going to take too much effort, and you’re more likely to quit somewhere in the middle.

You see, passion is not just a nice-to-have; it’s the fuel that keeps the engine of perseverance running. When you're passionate about something, it’s easier to stay committed, to push through obstacles, and to keep going even when it feels like the world is conspiring against you. Without passion, your goal is just another item on your to-do list—easily overlooked and easily abandoned.

Let me share a story that perfectly illustrates this point. How many times did Thomas Edison fail while trying to invent what we now consider a simple light bulb? More than 2,000 times. Can you imagine failing at something 2,000 times and still pushing forward? After Edison succeeded, a reporter asked him how it felt to fail so many times. Do you know what he said? “I never failed once. I invented the light bulb. It just happened to be a 2,000-step process.”

Now, this whole business about fear of failure—we’re going to get to that, believe me—but right now, I’m telling you the Edison story not because of failure issues, but because of his absolute passion. Edison had a gift, and he knew it. He recognized that this gift had great potential. And when he combined that potential with his passion, he made history.

Frederick Buechner once defined passion as “where your heart’s deepest gladness meets the world’s greatest need.” Every great act, every significant step forward, is just that—passion meeting potential. Only you can truly say whether your current goals possess you with a true, burning desire. Ask yourself: Is this something I’m passionate about? Does it ignite my soul? If the answer is no, then maybe it’s time to reevaluate that goal.

You see, when you're passionate about your goal, it doesn't just stay in your mind as an idea; it occupies your heart and soul. It becomes a part of you. You think about it constantly, you talk about it, you dream about it, and most importantly, you work towards it with everything you've got. 

Passion is what separates the achievers from the dreamers. It’s what turns a simple goal into a mission, and that mission into a reality.

If you find yourself struggling to stick to a goal, it’s worth asking if you’re truly passionate about it. Sometimes we set goals because we think we should, because they sound impressive, or because someone else suggested them. But if your heart isn’t in it, the effort you put in will be half-hearted too.

So, how do you find that passion? It starts with knowing yourself—understanding what excites you, what you love doing, and what you can’t stop thinking about. Once you identify that passion, align your goals with it. Make sure your goals are things you actually care about, things that get you out of bed in the morning with a smile on your face. When you do that, you’ll find that the effort doesn’t feel like work at all—it feels like joy.

Reason 5: Your Goal Isn’t Worthwhile Enough to Take the Risk

Now, let’s talk about risk. Most of the world’s population wants to play it safe. It’s natural; our brains are wired to avoid risk because, historically, risk often meant danger. But here’s the thing: safety doesn’t lead to greatness. If you’re too afraid to take risks, you’ll never achieve anything truly remarkable.

Most people never tackle more than they’re sure they can handle without effort or risk. True goal achievers, however, are potential pathfinders eagerly in search of a trail to blaze. These are the people who dare to dream big, who are willing to step outside their comfort zones and take a leap of faith. And you, have that same potential within you.

When you’re deciding on your goal, it’s absolutely necessary that you remove the lid from your marvellous imagination and let those dreams fly. Don’t censor yourself. Don’t limit yourself to what seems realistic or attainable. Think big, dream big. Make a list of 30 things you want for your life. There’s no reason why you can’t have everything you desire!

Your goal should be something you want, not something you need. There is no inspiration in need—there is only inspiration in wants. 

As Zig Ziglar famously pointed out, “A goal that is casually set and lightly taken is freely abandoned at the first obstacle.” 

This means that your goal needs to be something you’re truly excited about, something that makes you willing to take risks, to face challenges head-on, and to keep going even when the path gets rough.

And here’s the kicker: your goal doesn’t even have to be logical. In fact, you’ll be much more inspired if it’s a bit illogical, a bit wild, a bit out there. You don’t have to know how you’re going to achieve it when you set it.

Don’t let that stop you in this initial process. If you already know how to get whatever it is you want, the objective that you’ve chosen is not a worthwhile goal. You might achieve the goal, but you won’t achieve any growth or increased awareness as a result of this achievement. The real improvement in the quality of your life comes from pursuing the goals that stretch you, that challenge you, that force you to grow.

Many times, people will make a list of dreams and wants, and then stuff the list away in some desk drawer, never to look at it again. That’s not where your dreams belong. You made the list—now start going after what’s on that list.

But before you do, take a moment to evaluate those goals. Ask yourself: Is this goal worthwhile? Does it inspire me? Am I willing to take the risks necessary to achieve it? If the answer is yes, then go for it with everything you’ve got. If the answer is no, then it’s time to go back to the drawing board and set a goal that does inspire you, that does make you want to take risks.

Remember, playing it safe might keep you comfortable, but it won’t lead to greatness. True fulfillment comes from pursuing the goals that scare you a little, the ones that make your heart race, the ones that make you think, “Can I really do this?” That’s when you know you’re on the right track.

Reason 6: You Don’t Know Which Goal to Focus on First

Alright, so you’ve got your goals, you’re passionate about them, and you’re ready to take the risks necessary to achieve them. But there’s a problem: you don’t know where to start. You’ve got so many goals, and they all seem important. How do you decide which one to focus on first?

This is a common challenge, especially for ambitious, driven women like you. We often have so many dreams, so many things we want to achieve, that it can be overwhelming. The key to overcoming this challenge is prioritization. You must set priorities for your goals, and this starts with gaining clarity.

I use a very effective tool for this, which is called the “Life Goals Worksheet.” This worksheet helps you to systematically evaluate and prioritize your goals, so you can focus on what’s most important to you right now.

Here’s how it works:

Consider Each of the 4 Areas of Your Life:

Career/Wealth

Relationships

Spirituality/Contribution/Connection

Physical Health/Wellness

Start by identifying 1 to 3 objectives that you aspire to achieve or create in each of these four areas. Don’t overthink it—just jot down the first things that come to mind.

Create an “A” List:

Once you’ve identified your objectives in each area, take the top goal from each area and put them on a separate list—this is your “A” list. These are your most important goals across the different areas of your life.

Prioritize Your “A” List:

Now, this is where it gets interesting. You need to prioritize these four goals in order of importance, with Number 1 being the most important. This might be challenging because all of these goals are important to you, but remember, we’re talking about where to focus your conscious attention first.

Think about which goal will have the most significant impact on your life right now. Which one, if achieved, would make the biggest difference? Which one excites you the most? Which one aligns with your current needs and desires?

Focus on Your Primary Goal:

The goal that you’ve ranked as Number 1 becomes your Primary Goal. This is where you focus your energy and attention. Of course, you can work on multiple goals simultaneously, but your Primary Goal should always be at the forefront of your mind. This is the goal that will guide your decisions, your actions, and your mindset.

By using this process, you’ll gain clarity on which goal to focus on first, which will help you to avoid feeling overwhelmed and scattered. When you have a clear focus, it’s easier to take consistent action, and when you take consistent action, you’re much more likely to achieve your goal.

And remember, just because you’re focusing on one goal first doesn’t mean you’re abandoning the others. You’re simply giving yourself the space to achieve one thing at a time, which, in turn, will build momentum and confidence as you move on to the next goal.

I hope today’s episode has given you some valuable insights and practical tips that you can apply to your own goal-setting journey. 

Remember, achieving your goals is not just about hard work; it’s about passion, purpose, and focus. When you align your goals with your passions, choose goals that are worthwhile, and focus on the right ones at the right time, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.

Thank you for joining me on Women Leaders Unlimited. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with other women leaders who could benefit from this message.

Let’s continue to support and uplift each other as we pursue our dreams and make a difference in the world.

Until next time, stay passionate, stay focused, and keep leading with courage and conviction.