Ideally, go-getters set goals that are ambitious and then follow through. But obstacles almost always get in the way.
Perhaps the biggest obstacle is one of our own making: We just don't care all that much about achieving the goal. It sounds good at first, but loses its luster quickly.
Many factors can stymie our progress. Lacking the inner drive to pursue a challenging goal can prove especially hard to overcome.
"It's important to ask, 'How much value are my goals giving me?'" said Leslie Perlow, a professor of leadership at Harvard Business School. "Habit change must be in service of who you want to be and how to enact that. There must be some alignment there."
Set Goals That Will Mean Something
If the goal you've set is meaningful to you, that's a good sign. But it doesn't have to be.
Some goals promise joyfulness that may only last a short time. Others deliver deeper, longer-lasting meaning. The satisfaction of achievement also plays a role.
"In life, no matter what stage you're at, you need a minimum amount of all three (joy, meaning, achievement), all of the time," said Perlow, creator of the Life Matrix tool. Still, meaningful goals tend to wield considerable power. It's harder to give up if you're compelled to keep advancing even amid adversity.
To ensure your goals are meaningful, dig deep. How can you set goals and prioritize the ones that matter most?
Rethink What Meaning Means
It's easy to assume that meaningful goals are lofty and groundbreaking. But you can derive meaning from more modest aspirations.
"A meaningful goal need not have this grand mission," said Tamara Myles, co-author of "Meaningful Work." Instead of being characterized by intensity or immensity, a goal can carry meaning simply by motivating you to sweep away a bad habit or score an incremental win.
Set Happiness Aside To Set Goals
Beware of equating meaningful goals with happy goals. The richest, most rewarding goals won't continually lift your spirits as you pursue them.
"Meaningful goals may not bring you pleasure in the moment," said Myles, a professor of leadership at Boston College. "They can be really hard and make you feel uncomfortable. But in hindsight, they're meaningful."
Put Procrastination To The Test
If you find yourself procrastinating after setting a goal, figure out why. Don't attribute it to laziness.
"If you find yourself procrastinating again and again, it can have more to do with avoiding negative emotions than being lazy," Myles said. "Procrastination can be a red flag that your goal doesn't matter that much to you."
Separate Internal From External Drivers
Meaningful goals often spring from an internal desire to accomplish something special. You're driven by an inner will to succeed, not external gratification.
Beware of chasing carrots such as money, status or peer approval, Myles says. These motivations can fade or leave you unfulfilled even if you achieve the goal.
Run An Experiment When You Set Goals
Unsure whether your goal is sufficiently meaningful to you? Complete this sentence: "If I attain this goal, it will help me (or my employer) to …" Then reflect on what's to gain by hitting your target — and ask yourself, "Is that worth a lot to me?"
"You want to see the ultimate impact of your work," Myles said. "And if that impact has meaning."
Set Goals And Enlist Allies
A goal can become more meaningful when you involve others in your efforts. Teams who work together can feed off each other's energy.
"It's looking for ways to build relational meaning," Myles said. "That can be by bringing in a mentor or partnering with someone" who works with you to facilitate goal attainment.
