Low Attainable Goals

A very successful entrepreneur I know often uses the phrase, “Low Attainable Goals.” She uses the phrase to acknowledge success when she has completed a task most people would not consider difficult and also to encourage friends and coworkers who have set their own goals. She congratulates others with a “good job” when they achieve any steps toward their goal. Her celebration of small victories seems ironic when she has achieved such high goals in her personal life and business. However, if you look closer, you can see this entrepreneur is using a perspective shift that helps her be successful.

An explanation of the perspective shift:

THE MINDSET OF UNATTAINABLE GOALS

When we know the goals we set for ourselves will be very hard to achieve, we can get defeated before we make any progress. For example, a person may decide they want to lose an unreasonable amount of weight, or stop a bad habit using willpower alone. We set unrealistic goals for many reasons, including good intentions, the optimism bias, or to provide an excuse for failure.

Good Intentions

Sometimes the goals we set are not motivated by personal introspection or our own values. These goals are created by an intention to live up to the expectations of others or appear successful. Have you ever set a goal for yourself that was motivated by the idea that you should make that change in your life instead of being driven by your own internal passion?

The Optimism Bias

Another reason we set unrealistic goals is the optimism bias. The optimism bias is the belief that we are more likely to experience positive outcomes and less likely to experience negative outcomes. According to research by Tali Sharot, there is a specific region of the brain (left inferior frontal gyrus) that responds strongly to positive information and allows people to envision a more successful outcome than the one predicted by chance. So, even when you know many others have failed at the goal you set for yourself, you expect that achieving the goal will be less difficult for you. Believing success will be easy for you is different from believing you can achieve the goal with hard work and dedication.

An Excuse for Failure

Sometimes, setting an unrealistic goal gives us an excuse for failure and we can say, “Oh, well. I tried.” For example, expecting to lose 100 pounds or expecting a new business to earn a million dollars in the first year are challenging goals, and most people would not succeed. If we set smaller goals, like losing 10 pounds or generating business income in the first year, others expect those more reasonable goals to be achieved. Failure to achieve the more reasonable goals may be attributed to personal flaws. It is easier to explain our failure when the goal we set was too big. 

There are mental consequences when we fail to achieve the goals we set. Failure can lead to self-efficacy issues, a lack of motivation, and depression.

Low Self-efficacy

Self-efficacy is a person’s belief in their own abilities to impact a situation and achieve their goals. When we set high goals and fail to achieve them, we start to believe we have no power over the things that happen to us; we begin to feel that we are not in control. People with low self-efficacy perceive a challenge as a threat, instead of an opportunity. With low self-efficacy you may not even pursue goals that would be attainable for you.

Lack of Motivation

Motivation is a person’s desire or willingness to do something. When we do something that does not turn out well, we become discouraged. For example, if your goal was to be a famous rock musician and you failed, you may put away your guitar, having lost all motivation for pursuing a career in music. Setting unrealistic goals and failing to achieve them can diminish the likelihood that you will set achievable goals moving forward.

Depression

Depression includes low mood and a loss of interest in things you previously enjoyed. Failing to achieve goals can make us feel defeated, leading to sadness and withdrawal. If the failure is seen as permanent, personal, and pervasive it may be particularly devastating. For example, if you try to leave a toxic relationship and you are not successful, you may believe that you are stuck there forever, that it is your own weakness that got you stuck there, and that your weakness will lead to failure in other areas of your life. This failure could lead to a depression that is actually the consequence of setting a goal that was unattainable without help.

THE BENEFITS OF ATTAINABLE GOALS

Attainable goals are not necessarily easy goals, but they are achievable. When you achieve the goals you set, it will increase your confidence, motivate you to set future goals, and help you live your best possible life.

Confidence

Confidence is a belief in your own abilities. As you achieve your personal goals, you gather evidence that you can be successful, and this builds your confidence. When you feel confident about your own abilities, you will be less anxious and more likely to take risks that can lead to even greater success.

Momentum

Momentum is an increase in forward motion. When you achieve a goal, you will become motivated to set more goals. Setting attainable goals will allow you to experience success and that success will propel you forward toward future goals. For example, if you achieve one business goal, you will set another, leading to further growth for your company. 

Your Best Possible Life

Your best possible life is a life where you feel fulfilled and you appreciate all that you have. As you achieve each of your goals, you receive satisfaction. By setting attainable goals, you will experience gratitude for your success and you will see future challenges as opportunities for personal growth.

HERE IS THE MINDSET SHIFT— 

View ALL your goals as LOW ATTAINABLE GOALS

When you believe you can achieve your goal, you will take steps to achieve it. You will improve your skill set and gather resources. All the actions you take will make it more likely for you to achieve the goal, no matter how difficult it is. To make the most of your goals, set the bar high, aim for what you truly want, and tell yourself, “I can do this. It is a LOW ATTAINABLE GOAL.” 

HOW TO MAKE YOUR GOALS ATTAINABLE

Align Your Goals with Your Values

Before you set goals for yourself, it is important to know who you are and what you want. If you are trying to achieve someone else’s goals, you will not be intrinsically motivated to achieve them. Without sufficient motivation it will be hard to reach your goals. There are many resources available online to help you identify your core values. It is also a good idea to work with a coach or therapist to identify the things that matter most to you.

Break Your Goal Into Smaller Parts

To convince yourself that your big dream is actually a low attainable goal, break it into subgoals. What are the things you need to come together to achieve your big dream? For example, if you need to empty a house to sell it, think about all the things inside the house and where they need to go. One goal could be trash removal, another could be small item donation, another could be the sale of big items. You may even need to make a plan for any people currently living in the house. Those are all subgoals that could make the overall goal of “empty the house” seem more manageable.

Believe You Can Achieve Your Goal

If you truly believe something is going to happen, you are going to prepare for that outcome. In the same way that you can prepare for the worst, you prepare for the best when you set a low attainable goal. For example, if you believe you can get your dream job, you will train for it and show up on time for the interview. If you don’t believe you can get the job, you won’t prepare for your success.

Get Support

Share your low attainable goals with others. I have always found when people talk about their goals, they connect with others who share their goals or can help them move closer to their goals. Look for people in your life who can help you. Find resources online. With a quick internet search, you may be able to find training, materials, people, and even money that could help you achieve your goal.

What if my goal really is unattainable?

What is an unattainable goal? Do you want a superpower, like flight or telepathy? First, make sure that goal aligns with your values and it is not just something you want because it would be cool. Then ask yourself if it is truly impossible, or if you will be the first to find a creative way to achieve it. You may need to shift your perspective to find a new way to define the challenge. Remember, this is an opportunity. Also ask yourself why this is your goal. If you expect to feel a certain way when you attain that goal, is there another goal that could generate that same feeling? If your desired goal really is unattainable in the

universe as we know it, then it may be time to set a new goal.

HELP WITH GOAL SETTING OR ADJUSTING YOUR BELIEFS

As a mindset and accountability coach, I help my clients set goals and maintain beliefs that lead to their best possible outcome. If you would like help shifting your perspective and achieving your low attainable goals, please schedule an appointment with me through my website: best-possible-outcome.com or email me at lauraverrekia@gmail.com. Click here to start a FREE Brainstorming Session..