If you keep doing these 10 things, you’ll never reach your goals

We all have goals. Big goals, small goals, work goals, personal goals.

But sometimes, reaching those goals seems really hard.

Like there’s something standing in our way.

You know what? Sometimes, that something is actually something we’re doing ourselves.

In this article, we’ll look at 10 things you might be doing that are stopping you from reaching your goals.

We’ll talk about what these things are, how they stop you from getting where you want to be, and how you can stop doing them.

If you’ve been trying hard to reach your goals but just can’t seem to get there, this article might help.

1. Procrastination

We’re all guilty of it. Procrastination is that annoying little voice in our heads that tells us to put things off until later.

But here’s the thing: ‘later’ often turns into ‘never’.

If you constantly find yourself saying, “I’ll start tomorrow” or “I’ll do it later”, you’re procrastinating.

And if you keep doing this, reaching your goals will become a real challenge.

Goals require action, and action requires doing things now, not later.

So, how do you beat procrastination?

Start by breaking down your goal into smaller, manageable tasks and tackle them one at a time.

And remember, every journey starts with a single step.

So stop waiting for the perfect moment and start your journey toward your goal now!

2. Lack of Planning

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” And it’s true!

Without a clear plan, your goals are just dreams floating around in your mind.

If you don’t have a clear path to follow, you’ll likely end up confused and frustrated, and might even quit.

That’s why it’s important to plan out how you’ll achieve your goals. What steps do you need to take? What resources do you need? How much time will it take?

Once you’ve got a plan, stick to it!

Sure, there might be bumps along the way, and that’s okay. Just adjust your plan and keep going.

Remember, a goal without a plan is just a wish. So stop wishing and start planning. 

3. Fear of Failure

Ah, fear of failure, my old friend. I’ve certainly had my fair share of encounters with this one. 

A few years back, I decided to run a marathon. It was a big goal and honestly, I was scared. What if I couldn’t do it? What if I trained for months and still failed? The fear was real and it was holding me back.

But then, I realized that failing wasn’t the end of the world. If I didn’t finish the marathon, so what? At least I would’ve tried. And trying and failing is better than not trying at all.

So, I put on my running shoes and started training. It was tough, and there were times when I wanted to give up. But I didn’t. And guess what? I finished that marathon.

It may not have been at the most blistering pace, but at least I achieved my goal of actually finishing it. 

The point is, don’t let fear of failure stop you from going after your goals. You might fail, sure.

But what if you succeed? You’ll never know unless you try.

So face your fears head on, and remember: failure is just part of the journey to success!

4. Negativity

Did you know that your mindset can significantly affect your chances of success? It’s true!

Studies have shown that people with a positive attitude are more likely to achieve their goals than those with a negative one.

Negativity can drain your energy and motivation, making it harder for you to take the necessary steps towards your goals.

If you keep telling yourself that you can’t do something, eventually, you’ll start to believe it.

So instead of focusing on the negatives, try to adopt a positive outlook.

Celebrate small victories, maintain a gratitude journal, surround yourself with positivity.

Remember, your mindset can be your biggest asset or your worst enemy. So choose positivity and let it guide you towards your goals!

5. Not Believing in Yourself

Sometimes, the biggest roadblock to reaching our goals is simply not believing in ourselves.

We underestimate our abilities, doubt our skills, and question our worth.

It’s heartbreaking to see how often we become our own worst enemy.

Believing in yourself doesn’t mean thinking you’re perfect or that you’ll never fail.

It’s about recognizing your potential and knowing that even if you stumble, you have what it takes to get back up and keep going.

So, next time you find yourself doubting your abilities, remember why you started. Remember the passion, the excitement, the determination you felt when you first set your goal.

Hold onto that feeling and use it to fuel your belief in yourself.

You are capable. You are strong. And you have what it takes to reach your goals.

So believe in yourself, because you’re worth it!

6. Not Asking for Help

I have to confess, I’ve always been a bit of a lone wolf. I used to think that asking for help was a sign of weakness. That if I couldn’t do something on my own, I was failing. But boy, was I wrong.

One day, I was struggling with a project at work. I was stuck, stressed, and on the verge of giving up.

But then, a colleague offered to help. And guess what? Their fresh perspective was exactly what I needed to solve the problem.

That’s when I realized that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, but strength. It shows that you’re committed to your goal and are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it.

So if you’re stuck or overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to ask for help.

Whether it’s advice, support or a fresh perspective, others can provide valuable insights that can bring you one step closer to your goal.

Remember, no one achieves their goals alone. 

7. Trying to Please Everyone

You can’t please everyone. No matter what you do, there will always be someone who isn’t happy with it. And that’s perfectly okay.

When you’re chasing your goals, you’re bound to ruffle a few feathers.

Maybe you’ll need to say ‘no’ to someone, or maybe your goals aren’t what others expect from you.

But here’s the thing: it’s your life and your goals, not theirs.

So stop trying to make everyone else happy at the expense of your own happiness.

It’s exhausting, and it’ll only distract you from what truly matters: reaching your goals.

Your real friends will understand and support you, even if they don’t agree with everything you do.

In the end, it’s better to be true to yourself and disappoint a few people than to lose yourself trying to please everyone.

So keep your eyes on the prize and let the rest fall into place.

8. Lack of Persistence

Did you know that Thomas Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb?

When a reporter asked him how it felt to fail 1,000 times, Edison replied, “I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.”

The key to Edison’s success wasn’t a brilliant mind or a stroke of luck. It was persistence. He kept going, even when things got tough.

And that’s the thing about goals. They’re not always easy to achieve. There will be obstacles, setbacks and failures along the way.

But if you give up at the first sign of difficulty, you’ll never reach your goals.

So be persistent. Keep going, even when things get tough.

Success is not about never failing, but about getting up every time you fall.

So when you face a setback, don’t give up. Instead, remind yourself that you’re one step closer to your goal and keep going. 

9. Not Being True to Yourself

This one hits close to home for me. A few years ago, I was chasing a goal that wasn’t really mine. It was what my parents wanted for me, what my friends were doing, what society expected from me. But it wasn’t what I truly wanted.

I spent years working towards this goal, feeling unfulfilled and unhappy. Until one day, I had enough. I decided to be true to myself, to pursue my own dreams and passions. It was one of the scariest decisions I’ve ever made, but also one of the best.

Because here’s the thing: if a goal doesn’t align with your values and passions, achieving it won’t make you happy. It’s like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole—it just doesn’t work.

So don’t waste your time chasing someone else’s dreams. Be true to yourself and pursue what truly matters to you.

10. Giving Up Too Soon

This one is tough to swallow, but it’s the honest truth: many of us give up on our goals too soon.

We live in a world that craves instant gratification, but real, meaningful achievements take time. They take patience, dedication, and resilience.

So you didn’t see the results you wanted right away? So what? Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will your dreams. The path to your goals is a marathon, not a sprint.

Keep going, even when it feels like you’re not making progress. Even when it’s tough. Even when you’re tired. Because that’s when it matters most. The real victory is not in reaching your goal, but in refusing to give up on it.