Enough Already: Losing The Excuses And Making The Most Of Life

Just about everyone sets goals for New Year's and just about everyone misses them. Why is that? Just why is it so easy to lose motivation and end up not just missing goals, but falling far short of them?

Talk to anyone who hasn't come close to their goals in the last year and you'll hear things like “life got in the way” and “I didn't have enough money.” These are just excuses and they cover up the real reason for failure. So, what are the real reasons behind not making those goals?

Procrastination. It's very easy to put off something you need to do when you have a half dozen other things to get done. Most of us suffer at least sometimes from procrastination and the best cure is to just get up and do the job. No putting it off, just getting it done. This takes a certain amount of willpower, but it's worth it.

Lack of commitment. Were you really committed to your goals or did you just make them because they sounded good? Unless you're ready to do anything necessary to make your goals, personal or business, you will probably find a way not to reach them. Before setting any goals, decide whether or not you will actually work to achieve them. How far will you go to reach these goals? If the answer is “not far,” you need to consider a different goal.

No accountability. Without anything to keep you on the straight and narrow, how do you plan to stick to your plans? What if you lose motivation and procrastination rears its ugly head? The best way to ensure that you keep going is to have some sort of system in place that will hold you accountable. An accountability partner is a good way to go, but if you're not up for that, consider a blog or weekly Facebook or Twitter postings to let the world know how you're doing.

Failure is almost always the result of our own self sabotage. Whether you were committed or not in the beginning, you need to stick to the path you've planned. Often, people spend more time planning their goals and how to reach them than they do actually achieving them. If that sounds like you, it's time to stop procrastinating and just start. Even taking one step toward your goal on a daily basis, no matter how small, will make a difference.