Why Having Year Long Goals Doesn’t Work

Source: http://www.niashanks.com/long-goals/

year long goals don't workHumans are wonderful at starting projects that never get finished. We fantasize grand, lofty goals but once we start climbing the mountain of the magnificent goal we desire to conquer we stop and stare in awe at how far we have to go. We’re aware of the inevitable obstacles and momentary struggles. We realize it’s much easier to stop, turn around, and continue on the smooth path we were traveling.

Such is the case with year long goals. And having a year long goal can be a terrible idea.

Have you set a year long goal (in the typical manner of a New Year’s resolution) before? Did you actually achieve it?

One of the main reasons people abandon New Year’s resolutions is because the time frame is so long. I mean, an entire year? That’s, you know, a year. Three hundred and sixty five days. Hell, three hundred and sixty six during a leap year. That’s an incredibly daunting length of time.

Another colossal issue with year long goals is that you don’t have much, if any, flexibility. What if your circumstances or desires change? What if you determine you want to pursue something else instead? You would likely feel like a failure for stopping or changing course.

If year long goals are a problem, what then is an effective solution?

What do you think?

comments