Obstacles in the Way of Setting Achievable Goals ( 4 Fixes)
Are you unsuccessfully achieving the goals that you set for yourself?
Most people never achieve their goals because they are not setting them correctly.
When setting goals, most people make one of four mistakes that keep them from achieving their goals. This post identifies and explains those mistakes so you can set your goals correctly.

RELATED POST:
A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO SETTING GOALS ( FREE WORKBOOK INCLUDED)
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.

1) Time Restraints

Everyone has the same amount of time in the day, but why can some people accomplish so much more?
Are you constantly saying you will get to it later? That you don’t have time to focus on yourself right now because of the family? If so, then stop!
The more you tell yourself later, the more likely you will put yourself at the bottom of your to-do list. So you need to rearrange the list with you at the top.
Time is not something you can get back later. Once time is gone, it’s gone.
The best thing to do is to use your time wisely and create an organizational system around your life that allows you to prioritize yourself and make the needed time.
Tip. Invest in a good planner, organize your day, prioritize your goals and wake up early.
Helpful places to start:
- How to get the most out of your day, so you feel Productive + Positive
- How to be more productive mom (even when you’re exhausted)
- 8 Time Management Tips Moms use to Get Things Done
Books I recommend for getting organized.
Are you a mom looking for Family, Home, & Work Balance? Then, grab the Organized Mom Planner.
2) Self Doubt

Are you playing it safe so that you don’t have to jump on the road and start running?
Is it possible that you’re unsure, so you invest less, put in less effort, and write small goals that do not add to the bottom line?
Yes, the pursuit of happiness/success ( however you define it) will be scary. But so is everything else you accomplished in life.
Pushing Through Doubt
If you have children, then you understand the thought of fear that rushes through your brain of being a good parent, but you still did it.
Are you married? Were you sure that person was the one, or was their FOBO (fear of better options)? You got married despite being 100% sure.
You can’t be 100% sure about anything, so why not try to give it your all anyway?
Tip: Imagine how you would feel if you started a blog, opened a restaurant, became CEO of a company, or *insert your dream* has been accomplished. How does it feel to live in that moment? That is the energy you need to drive yourself on and keep you motivated.
When doubt gets in the way it could make it nearly impossible to start so read these to get help:
- Kick Self-Doubt to The Curb with These 7 Top Tips
- THE POWER OF REMOVING NEGATIVE ENERGY CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE SIGNIFICANTLY. ( 7 Simple Steps)
- How to get your life together as an overwhelmed MOM
- 8 MOTIVATION KILLERS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT + HOW TO FIX IT
Need to boost your motivation and confidence? Don’t download this free motivation workbook.

3) Lack of a Plan

Having an organized list of things is excellent, but it doesn’t establish the next step to achieving goals.
Identify where you want to be in a specific time frame.
Are you trying to start your own business? Do you want a promotion at your job?
Are you passionate about going back to college for an advanced degree?
Set A deadline!
When I write my goal on a calendar, I noticed that I tend to work harder to achieve that goal by the date. So don’t just add a goal without narrowing down a deadline date.
Establish a Game Plan to get there
Once you identify your goal, write down several action steps that would contribute to your goal.
For example, say you want to write a book, and you already set a date of 6 months from now. Then you break down the days you will create the introduction, central, and conclusion.
Also, how you will promote it, where you will sell the book and how much money you want to make.
You see, setting goals is not just simply writing down what you want but also making steps towards it.
Tip: Grab the Organized Planner to help flush out your goals and your path. Or find a planner that works for you so you can begin organizing and strive for success!

Help your goals come to life with manifestation tips and making vision boards:
- How to Create A Powerful Vision Board| Manifest Your Dream Life
- How to Create A Beautiful Vision Board Online for Free ( mobile + desktop )
- What is the Law of Attraction? Beginners Techniques
- Law of Attraction Quotes to Live By That’ll Transform Your Life ( +Wall Art )
4) Refusing To Take Action

I understand the hardest thing to do is begin. Whether it’s because you don’t know where to start, how to start, or believe you’re not ready yet.
Ask yourself the right questions to setting achievable goals
It goes back to the questions you ask yourself.
Do I have enough skill?
Is there another step that comes before this?
Would I be good at it?
I am still in the learning phase, so I am not ready to execute.
However, the reality is it can turn into a form of procrastination. Psychology Today states, “Everyone puts things off until the last minute sometimes, but procrastinators chronically avoid difficult tasks and deliberately look for distractions.
…. Perfectionists are often procrastinators; it is psychologically more acceptable never to tackle a task than to face the possibility of falling short on performance.”
Tip:
Start towards your goal today, not tomorrow, not later, or wait until the kids are grown. Don't make excuses to do what you can do today..tomorrow, even if the smallest task towards your goal is to make a phone call or do research.… Click To TweetPlan for the unknown
Always have a plan for when you face some unforeseen circumstances such as another child, death, illness, or job loss. That way, you will not be taken off task.
Keep Your Promises
Make a promise to yourself that you will never give up on your dreams. Since there will always be days, you want to give up, but you should push yourself anyway.
Ready to take action and need a kick then read these:
- Do You Have Perfectionist Traits? [ 11 tips to overcome]
- How to Reinvent Yourself when Life Gets in the Way ( 7 Steps)
- How to Change Your Mindset with 5 Powerful Techniques
Final Note: Setting Achievable Goals
Setting goals is hard, but it’s even harder to set them right. If you make one of the four mistakes outlined in this post, stop and correct yourself before setting another goal. You deserve success!
Which mistake do you most commonly commit?
I’ve always been a planner but more recently I’ve started writing down my goals- weekly, monthly & yearly. It’s amazing what putting pen to paper can create! Great post!
Goal setting is definitely something I need to be more mindful about. I get distracted fairly easily, and not just by my kids! I do love planning, but the hard part for me sometimes can be following through. Thanks for the tips!
I think time management is huge for achieving goals and being productive, that’s something I’m constantly working on. Thanks for these tips! Although, i will say I was 100% sure about my husband when we got married, but he might not have been 100% sure about me, lol.
Justine,
You just cracked me up lol. Yeah I guess that example was a little extreme lol. But, without a productivity sheet, I will not get anything done.
I try not to procrastinate as it just makes my anxiety worse and then I magically am able to talk myself out of things. So, I tend to dive head in and just do what needs to be done. I also tell myself that every successful person in the world started out small and worked their way up to the top. That really motivates me to get stuff done.
MJ,
I know what you mean. Some how I find doing house chores as a way out of doing important things. So I have to remind myself that folding clothes does not prioritize over goals. Lol