Discouraged and Giving up on Goals?

Are you ready to ditch your goals for the new year already?

Do they feel like you will never get there?

Is it stressing you out just to see how far you have to go?

Quitter’s Day is celebrated the second Friday in January because by that time most people have already given up on their goals. Why? There are lots of reasons. Goals are challenging to be sure and it takes a lot of patience and persistence to stay the course. There are definitely roadblocks and detours along the way.

Dan Sullivan, a business coach, noticed that many of the entrepreneurs he coached were discouraged and unhappy whether they were achieving their goals or not. He also notice that many other of his clients were optimistic and happy whether they were achieving their goals or not. What made the difference? The critical factor that he identified was whether they focused on the Gap or the Gain.

Entrepreneurs who focused on the gap measured the distance from where they were to the end goal. Because goals are really much like a point on the horizon, they found themselves always coming up short. While they may have made progress, they nevertheless always felt lacking because they always had so far to go. It is discouraging and frustrating. In many cases it can be a recipe for giving up altogether or at the very least, deciding not to set goals at all.

Entrepreneurs who focused on the gain, measured the distance from where they started to where they were now in relation to the overall goal. Even when goals are far off or changing, this is energizing because clients can see the progress they have made. This approach is a win/win. It not only gives entrepreneurs a chance to celebrate progress but also encourages them to pay attention to lessons learned even when there is failure or mistakes. Entrepreneurs who take this approach are not only happier, they are less likely to give up on goals.

What is the lesson here? First determine which approach you have been taking to the goals you set for the year. Ask yourself:

• How is it serving you and your business?
• Is it helping you move forward in the best direction?
• Is it helping you to practice patience and persistence?
• Is it ensuring meeting business success?

Measuring both the gap and the gain when assessing progress on goals, can keep you realistic about progress. It can guide you in decisions to make going forward and it can help you gain a new perspective on goal accomplishment. Here’s to your success!