When I first trained as a coach, I couldn’t work out why the setting of goals might be a controversial issue. It’s obvious why you should set short, medium and long terms goals isn’t it? Well actually no. It may be obvious to people who are very goal orientated, but it’s not nearly so obvious to others. Some people really do like to take life as it comes or where it takes them rather than trying to aim in a specific direction. However, there are others who would like to be good at goal setting, but for whatever reason struggle with the whole concept.

So why are the setting of goals so challenging for some people?

Unfamiliar with setting of goals - Our past can have a huge impact on whether your familiar with the setting of goals. If you haven’t experienced people close to you setting goals and achieving them, it’s less likely that you will have tried to use them.

Don’t understand what goals are – They mistake the dreams they have for goals. However, goals are just a wish list, where a goal is something far more specific.

Don’t understand how to set a goal – There are different methods for goal setting, but what they all have in common is that the goals must be specific. Saying “I want to make a lot of money” is just a dream and is not measurable or quantifiable.

Fear of failure – If you don’t set a goals you have nothing specific to achieve and nothing to fail at. Fear of failure is a sabotage technique that so many people use to avoid having a go at something.

Fear success – Yes some people fear success just as strongly as they fear failure. This fear also stops them from setting goals.

Fear of rejection – One of the biggest stumbling blocks to the setting of goals can be a fear of rejection. I know Brian Tracy the author of more than 35 books suggests that you shouldn’t tell people about your goals in advance. I think this has to be a personal choice. But if you do tell others then you also have to manage their expectations.

Although the issues mentioned above might act as a barrier for anyone thinking about goal setting, they are not issues that are insurmountable. You can learn how to set goals, how they work and decide that you will give it a go. The question you might then ask is, is it worth it. I would say categorically - Yes!

Studies that have looked at the setting of goals have consistently found that people who do set goals achieve far more than those who don’t. Take a look around at the people that you consider successful and then ask yourself whether or not they have set goals and whether it is worth it. I’m sure you’ll have your answer.