Who says 'New Year' says 'New resolutions, goals, and objectives'. However, did you know that approximately 80% of people fail to keep their New Year's resolutions by February, with only about 9% successfully maintaining them throughout the year? Many individuals quit their resolutions within the first few weeks, often due to unrealistic goals or a lack of accountability. In this article, we will explore some methods that will help you set and achieve your goals effectively. We'll dive into the S-M-A-R-T goal-setting framework and the C-R-U-S-H I-T method to ensure you create realistic, actionable, and motivating goals.
5 reasons people don't reach their goals.
Goals are undefined or unrealistic: The wrong type of goals are goals that are not in line with your life goals, aren’t motivating or inspiring, are too big and overwhelming or unrealistic.
You want too many things at the same time: Even though Walt Disney said that everything our mind can imagine is achievable, we cannot deny the fact that as human, our time and resources are often limited. Therefore, our capacity of doing too many things at the same time is also limited. When setting goals, it's important to. have in mind Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe quote that said: “Less is more.”
Losing sight of the “Why” factor: Goals can be set on any topic imaginable but if you don’t have a higher purpose, it makes it is easy to give up once the initial motivation and excitement wears off. Understanding how your goal is relevant to you allows you to persevere even when the going gets tough.
Failing to anticipate obstacles: Challenges and obstacles are inevitable—that's simply the nature of life. Without planning for potential setbacks in advance, they could completely derail your progress toward achieving your goal.
Fear of failure: Nobody wants to fail, and a fear of failure often stems from a need for perfectionism. Which as Ryan Holiday said is another word for p-a-r-a-l-y-s-i-s. The avoidance of taking risks is no way to go through life. and can often sabotage your goals and make your miss good opportunities.
5 reasons people reach their goals.
Inspired by Ali Abdaal’s evidence-based method for achieving goals, here are five reasons people actually reach their goals:
Write them down: Writing your goals is crucial because it helps clarify your intentions and solidify your commitment to them. Studies have shown that people who write down their goals are significantly more likely to succeed than those who don’t. It makes the goal real and tangible, which increases your chances of achieving it.
Look at them every week: Regularly reviewing your goals keeps them fresh in your mind and helps you stay focused. Set aside time each week to look at your goals, reflect on your progress, and adjust your approach if needed. This constant reminder keeps you on track.
Monitor your progress every week: Tracking your progress regularly allows you to see how far you've come and helps maintain momentum. It also gives you an opportunity to make adjustments before minor setbacks become larger obstacles.
Visualize obstacles: Visualizing potential challenges in advance allows you to prepare for them mentally. By thinking through possible roadblocks and planning solutions, you’re more likely to handle them effectively when they arise.
Tie them to an identity: One of the most powerful ways to achieve your goals is by connecting them to your personal identity. When you see your goals as part of who you are—such as 'I am a healthy person' or 'I am a successful entrepreneur'—you’re more likely to follow through. This deeper sense of connection makes your goals feel like a natural part of your lifestyle rather than a distant aspiration.
Setting goals VS Setting objectives.
A goal is a broad, long-term outcome that represents the ultimate achievement of your efforts, often taking years to accomplish. It provides overall direction and focuses on what you want to achieve without specifying how to get there. For example, your goal might be to 'become fluent in Chinese within three years.'
Objectives, however, are specific, actionable, and time-bound steps that help you work toward achieving that goal. They focus on smaller, measurable actions. For instance, to achieve fluency in Chinese, you might set objectives such as 'complete an online beginner's Chinese course within six months,' 'practice writing 20 Chinese characters daily,' or 'have weekly conversations with a language partner for one hour.' In short, goals set the destination, while objectives map out the steps to reach it.
How to set S-M-A-R-T goals?
I first came across the concept of S-M-A-R-T goals during a course on the Principles of Business Management, where it was primarily applied to company objectives. However, the idea of setting S-M-A-R-T goals is just as valuable in personal life as it is in business. Having a goal, whether big or small, gives you a clear direction and something to strive for. It acts as a driving force, pushing you forward and serving as a constant reminder of what you want to accomplish. Goals help you stay focused, provide a sense of purpose, and give you a reason to get out of bed every morning with motivation and intention.
The S-M-A-R-T framework takes goal-setting to the next level by breaking down your aspirations into five key components:
— Specific: Define your goal as clearly and precisely as possible. A specific goal removes ambiguity and makes it easier to focus your efforts.
— Measurable: Ensure your goal is measurable so you can track your progress and know when you’ve achieved it. As Robert Crawford said, “What gets measured, gets done. And what gets recognized gets done again, and even better.”
— Attainable: Set goals that challenge you but remain realistic and achievable. This balance ensures you're motivated without feeling overwhelmed.
— Relevant: Make sure your goal aligns with your values, priorities, and what you truly want to accomplish in life. Relevance ensures your effort is meaningful.
— Timely: Assign a deadline to your goal. A timeline creates a sense of urgency and helps keep you accountable as you work toward achieving it.
By following the S-M-A-R-T framework, you create a structured approach to turning your aspirations into actionable, achievable results.
>> Example of S-M-A-R-T goal setting: Improve Sleep Habits.
— Specific: I want to develop a regular and healthy sleep routine to improve my overall well-being and combat my long-standing insomnia,
— Measurable: I will aim for 7–8 hours of sleep each night by going to bed at 10:30 PM and waking up at 6:30 AM consistently, tracking my progress daily using a sleep journal or an app.
— Attainable: To achieve this, I will implement new habits such as reducing screen time 1 hour before bed, practicing relaxation techniques like meditation, and maintaining a consistent bedtime routine, starting small and gradually building on them.
— Relevant: This goal is important to me because I value my health, and improving my sleep will positively impact my physical and mental well-being.
— Timely: Since my insomnia has been an ongoing issue, I will give myself 6 months to fully adopt this new sleep routine, aiming to see measurable improvements by June.
C-R-U-S-H I-T (Crush It)!
According to Ruth Soukup, author of 'Do It Scared!', achieving your goals requires not just desire but a well-defined strategy. Her C-R-U-S-H I-T method breaks down the process of goal-setting and execution into actionable steps to help you truly crush it. Here's how you can apply each step:
— C: Claim Your Target: This is where you determine what you are aiming for. The truth is, if you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every single time. You need to choose something to shoot for, preferably something big enough to challenge and excite you, even to the point of scaring you a little. A big target pushes you to go beyond your comfort zone.
— R: Refine Your Objective: While it's okay to start with a big, vague idea, you need to narrow it down and make your objective clear. Refining your objective is about defining precisely what you want to achieve. By doing so, you transform your broad aspiration into something tangible and actionable, making it even more real.
— U: Understand Your Motivation: Knowing why you want to achieve your goal is essential. Understanding your motivation may seem like a small detail, but it's often the most important part of succeeding. When you're clear about your "why," it fuels your determination and keeps you going when challenges arise.
— S: Step It Out: Wanting a goal is one thing; having a clear path to it is another. You need to map out the exact steps you'll take in the coming days and weeks to make your goal a reality. Break it down into manageable actions to avoid feeling overwhelmed and ensure consistent progress.
— H: Handle Obstacles: No matter how well you plan, obstacles will arise. Being prepared for them is crucial. Think ahead about potential roadblocks and how you'll handle them when they come. This proactive mindset helps you maintain momentum and prevents setbacks from derailing your progress.
— I: Implement Your Plan: Plans are only valuable when you act on them. Don’t wait for perfect conditions—because they never will be. The success of your goal depends on taking consistent action. Commit to implementing your plan and following through, even when conditions aren't ideal.
— T: Treat Yourself: Celebrate your successes! Identifying how you’ll reward yourself once you’ve reached your goal creates a positive reinforcement loop. When you treat yourself, your brain connects success with reward, making you eager to repeat the process for future goals. So, don't forget to acknowledge your achievements and celebrate them along the way.
Once you’ve set the foundation with S-M-A-R-T goals, the next essential step is to take action and C-R-U-S-H them—transforming your goals from aspirations into achievements. By taking deliberate, focused steps, you'll move closer to your desired outcomes and make each goal feel more attainable. Remember, consistency is the key. Happy New Year again, dear reader! I wish you a blessed and productive year, filled with opportunities and a heart ready to embrace them. May God bless you. Take care!
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