7 Goal-Setting Mistakes That Are Secretly Sabotaging Your Success

I coach ambitious, high-potential people who want to perform better at work and in life. And one of the most common topics that comes up? Goal setting.The truth is, most people’s goals are doomed from the start.

Setting a goal is easy. Turning it into action, building momentum, changing habits, reorganising routines, that’s the hard part.But here’s the good news: by avoiding a few common mistakes, you can dramatically increase your chances of success.Let’s break down the most common reasons goals fail and how to fix them.A goal without action is just wishful thinking.Think about all the people who set a big fitness goal on New Year’s Day, only to cancel their barely used gym membership two months later.

Setting the goal isn’t the finish line; it’s the starting point.Fix: As soon as you set a goal, write down the first step you’ll take today to move closer to it.

Make it small, simple, and impossible to procrastinate on.Vague goals like “eat healthier” or “save more money” sound good, but they don’t give your brain a clear target to hit.Specific goals eliminate friction and make success measurable.Examples of specific, actionable goals:“I will save $200 per month by setting up an automatic $100 transfer to my savings account every payday.”“I will cook dinner at home five nights per week by ordering a meal kit with enough vegetables and lean protein.”“I will sign up for one fitness class by the end of the month and download a free step-tracking app.”Fix: Make your goals SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.Without external accountability, there’s nothing to lose if you quit.Research shows that we’re far more motivated when we have skin in the game, even if it’s just the fear of letting someone.