The Reason You Aren't Achieving Your Goals

You thought I was playing when I said the last quarter of the year is going to fly by. We’re already in November, and we are officially in the holiday season. Before you know it, it’ll be Christmas and we will be counting down the seconds to the new year. If you think the holiday season hasn’t started, take a step outside; Starbucks has officially brought back their holiday drinks, and stores have brought out their holiday decorations. The rest of this year will be over in the blink of an eye. Last month, I encouraged you to keep going, because you can still end this year better than you started. Don’t fall into the trap of waiting on the new year to be better. 

I was scrolling on social media and saw a quote that said to set your monthly intentions. That post caught my attention, because at the beginning of the year, I said my word for 2022 is intentional. Eleven months in, and I

never even thought to set monthly intentions. Of course I set goals both monthly and weekly, but that’s different. Being intentional requires being completely honest with yourself. For example: You could set a goal to run one mile per day to lose weight. It’s a great goal because it’s measurable and has an end result. Let’s say it rains one day and you lose motivation to go back running. Your brain may trick you into thinking you’re a failure and you never get back to the goal. What if you had set intentions to love and take care of your body each day by feeding it good food and keeping it well exercised and healthy. Setting intentions will keep you going when the motivation fades. The intention is about “Achieving a desired feeling or state of being today. Setting an intention keeps your attention on how you feel right now. Your success cannot be measured in definitive terms, because no matter what, simply acting in line with your values and desires increases your confidence.” 

It’s so important to set and honor your intentions, because you prioritize your desires over the end goal. Making slow progress each day is better not doing it at all. So many times we focus on the big goal that we forget why we are doing it. 

Please don’t think I’m telling you to throw away goal setting, because I’m not. If you’re someone like me, who keeps setting certain goals and falling short, it may by time to set some supportive intentions to backup the goal. I have been asking myself, “Who do I need to become in order to achieve this goal?” It’s a simple question, but when you’re truly honest with yourself, it’ll be a game changer. Let me break it down: Goal-Move into a high-rise. Question-Who do I need to be in order to get in a high-rise? Answer-Financially disciplined. If I know I need to be financially disciplined, but keep spending all my money on shoes, I need to set better intentions for my day to day life. I need to make intentional spending habits in order to reach the goal. Of course this may seem like a no brainer, but it actually takes some thought! I was brutally honest with myself and looked at how my habits were last month and for the beginning of the year. I learned that I was honestly the only person in my way from my goals. Identifying where you are, compared to where you need to be is the first step. Once you identify the problem, you can work to change it. Maybe get an accountability partner, a trainer, or even a therapist. Only you know exactly what areas of your life need to be fixed. Once you get to a place where you’re tired of standing in your own way, change will happen. 

According to The Empowerment Dynamic, “Focusing on intentions does not mean you give up your goals or desire to achieve. Here are three differences between goals and intentions: 1. Goals are focused on the future. Intentions are in the present moment. 2. Goals are a destination or specific achievement. Intentions are lived each day, independent of achieving the goal or destination. 3. Goals are external achievements. Intentions are about your relationship with yourself and others. By setting your intention first, and combining it with goals, you will become a person who enjoys both the journey, as much as the destination.” If I’m being honest, I’ve been focused on the destination, while trying to ignore the journey. That could be the reason why I feel like I’ve been in the same place. You are where you are for a reason. Maybe you’re like me and you find yourself making the same mistakes or having the same “failures,” God may be trying to reveal some lessons to you.

Take some time to sit and look at your goals and plans, attach some intentions to each of them. These intentions will be your mantras that help you move throughout your day. It’s time to finish this year with INTENTION. Don’t get so wrapped up in everybody else this the holiday season, that you forget to get yourself together! Enough is enough, it’s time to get out your own way. Wake up each morning and set your intentions. Think of your intentions as priorities to align with. You already know what life you want to live, it’s time to go after it! Setting goals is great, but until accompany them with intentions, are a waste of time. What are your values? What do you want? Get clear on these things align how you act with them and watch how you soar!