Why Some Goals Never Get Off the Ground (and What to Do Instead)
We’ve all been there—you set a goal, full of enthusiasm and big plans, but as time goes on, nothing happens. Maybe you lose interest, get distracted, or find yourself stuck in the same place when you check back on your progress weeks or months later.
It’s frustrating and a little disheartening, isn’t it? You start wondering if you’re just not motivated enough or if you’re aiming too high.What if the problem isn’t you? What if the issue lies in how the goal was set in the first place? In Episode 64 of the Babies and Business podcast, Rachel and I explored why some goals never seem to take off—and what you can do
The Problem with Some Goals
Sometimes, the goals we set feel more like obligations than genuine aspirations. They might align with what society expects or seem like the logical next step, but they’re not always rooted in what truly matters to us. Many people set goals based on societal pressures—losing weight, making six figures, or buying a house—without considering if these align with their own priorities.
Without that personal connection, staying motivated can feel like an uphill battle. I’ve experienced this myself—setting personal goals that seemed important on the surface, like hitting certain business benchmarks, only to realize they didn’t spark the passion needed to follow through.
The Check Point Moment
Rachel often talks about the “checkpoint moment”—those times when you review goals at the end of a quarter or year and notice that nothing has really moved forward. It’s a tough realization, but it’s also a valuable opportunity to reflect.
When we examined these moments in our lives, we discovered an important truth: if a goal repeatedly gets overlooked, it’s probably not aligned with what we genuinely want or value. Recognizing this can be the first step toward setting goals that truly matter.
Reflecting on Your Goals
When a goal isn’t working, it’s important to pause and take a closer look. Rachel and I began asking ourselves three key questions to figure out what was going wrong. First, why do I want this goal? Is it something I truly care about, or does it just sound good on paper?
Second, does this goal align with my current priorities? If it doesn’t fit into what’s most important in my life right now, it might not be worth pursuing. Finally, does this goal really matter? If it’s been sitting on the to-do list with no progress, maybe it’s not the right goal for this season.
Answering these questions can be challenging and may require admitting that a goal doesn’t genuinely resonate with you. However, being honest with yourself opens the door to setting goals—whether personal or business-related—that truly matter and motivate you to take action.
This reflection is a crucial step in understanding how to achieve goals that align with your core values and priorities.
Finding Purpose by Adding Meaning to Your Goals
The turning point for us came when we started attaching meaning to our goals. Instead of just saying, “I want to achieve X,” we added a “so that” or a “because.”
This simple tweak changed everything. It grounded our goals in purpose and made them feel less like chores and more like natural extensions of what we valued most.
For instance, instead of saying, “I want to grow our business,” I reframed it as, “I want to grow our business so that we can have more freedom and flexibility in our lives.” That clarity made the goal feel alive. It wasn’t just a task on a list; it was a path toward something deeply important to us.
When you find the deeper “why” behind your goal, it transforms the process. Suddenly, you’re not forcing yourself to take action—you’re drawn to it because it aligns with your heart and priorities.
Whether it’s personal goals, business goals, or a combination of both, this approach makes all the difference when considering how to achieve goals that truly matter.
Letting Go of What Doesn’t Serve You
It’s also okay to let some goals go. Not every goal needs to be pursued. If something has been sitting on your list for months (or years) without progress, it might be time to move on. That’s not failure; it’s growth. Letting go of goals that no longer serve you creates room for the ones that truly matter.
When you identify goals that align with your values, you’ll find that the steps often start to fall into place naturally. Instead of forcing progress, you’ll feel energized to move forward. And that’s when goals shift from being just ideas to becoming realities.
Align Your Goals with What Matters
If you’re feeling stuck, take a moment to pause and reflect. Ask yourself why the goal matters and whether it fits into your priorities. If it doesn’t, don’t be afraid to release it. For the goals that truly matter, anchor them with a “so that” or a “because.”
Whether you’re reviewing goals for personal growth or tackling business goals, tying them to your values makes them more meaningful and achievable.
Goals are more than milestones; they’re stepping stones to the life you want. Let them reflect what truly matters to you, and watch how they come to life.
