Daniel MacDougall
“Restlessness is discontent – and discontent is the first necessity to progress. Show me a thoroughly satisfied man – and I will show you a failure.” – Thomas Edison
Why do you keep failing at your endeavors? A question that plays out in our minds leading to self-doubt or other negative thought patterns. There are numerous reasons why individuals strive and fall short. Here, we delve into a few reasons pertaining to your personal goals.
I.
If you set goals and continually fail to reach them, there is the habit of unreal expectations. Often, you establish goals with grandiose daydreams, a sort of "reaching for the stars" mentality with each new undertaking. It is good to set high standards for yourself. However, setting goal expectations too high increases the workload and effort required. Typically, most people in this category start strong and slowly run out of motivation, or they lack the necessary free time. If you find yourself constantly burning out in goal setting, begin with steps. Do not set stringent end dates, but strategize your goals in small steps. Break your goal down into sections and work on each section. Give most of your focus to that particular area before moving on. This will help lessen the burden for larger projects.
II.
Another hindrance to your goal attainment could be a lack of clarity. You have a vague idea of what you want and tend to get started right away. Hitting the ground running is a great start, but don't let your new desire cloud your judgment. If you feel yourself getting pulled in different directions along your goal-setting pathway or constantly starting over, this could be you. If you desire a certain thing in life, develop a clear understanding of what you want and why. Once you have completed this step, then begin to strategize. Setting out on a new goal can be exciting. Just don't get caught up in the rush before thinking things through.
III.
If you find yourself setting proper goals and working hard but tend to fail, you may be unwilling to develop the necessary skills to progress. Achieving a new goal often necessitates acquiring new skills in the process. This can feel daunting at the outset. Nevertheless, the most accomplished individuals are those who acquire essential skills to obtain their desired outcome. Each time you master a new skill, your life becomes richer. If you find skill development a setback, do some research. YouTube is a great place to start. Hundreds of professionals in one place, giving detailed content showing you how to develop new skills. The skills you lack may not be that difficult to obtain.
IV.
A lack of persistence could be a factor in your stagnant self. You're cruising along smoothly, then one minor obstacle approaches, and you drop everything. When the going gets hard, varying emotions may arise. Stress, anxiety, and self-doubt creep in to hinder your progress. Don't let the fear of failure wipe away your hard work. It's best to realize that everyone feels these barriers along their pathway. Thomas Edison attempted 2774 lightbulbs before finally getting it right. He failed that many times but kept going. These obstacles present themselves along the way are only temporary barriers. Remember, it is okay to be flexible with your goal end date if circumstances change. Progress takes time. Write your failures down to keep track of them. Use them as learning tools to craft the outcome you want.
V.
A lack of support can be impeding your efforts. You try to do it all yourself without welcoming the input of others. A common pitfall if you feel your struggle for success overwhelming. While you may be intelligent and hardworking, having everything planned out, sometimes fresh perspectives reveal angles to problems you might have missed. Refusing the opinions and ideas of others can make your struggle even more challenging. Expanding your social circle or bringing in new members to your team is a catalyst for growth, and don't conceal the problems you're undertaking. If you are struggling with progress, voice your problem to the people in your group. Piece together their ideas and see what develops. Letting your ego take over is a roadmap to disaster. Someone around might have just the answer you are looking for, or a skill you don't have.
VI.
You are lazy. Yep, it could be true, or you lack personal motivation. A nicer way to put it. You want things in life but will not work for them. The easiest thing to do is sit around daydreaming about the things you want and then complain about why you don't have them. The issue arises when you want things in life but fail to put the effort in. Do you feel yourself becoming bitter and resentful, or have you become negative in your work and social life? Look at the way you express yourself throughout the day. If you fail to strive for the things you want, hatred and anger may slowly consume you. You see other people getting ahead and make callous remarks or excuses. Take a moment to consider the things you say and how you feel. If you find this may be the case, it's time to make a change. Only you can choose to be lazy. This mindset does not serve you. Sorry to say it, but you may have to get off your ass and go get it. Take on more responsibility in your life, or picture what you want and go for it. Begin to feel grateful for what you do have, even if it isn't that much, and consider the skills you have at this moment. Right now, at this moment, you are standing on the first stepping stone of success. Take the next step.
Weekly Side Quest.
Write down your last failed attempt at a goal and circle it. It could be anything from eating right, exercising, learning a new skill, or saying something nice to a coworker you greatly dislike. Then, brainstorm your thoughts as to why it went all wrong. Don't be afraid to search your emotions and do a deep dive into this. Some very personal feelings may rise to the surface, and that can be a good thing. Seeing everything on a piece of paper right in front of you helps prevent repeats in the future.
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Author's note: none of the writing was generated or made by AI. Our mission is provide a human touch to our journeys together. Thankyou always, Daniel MacDougall…