What most people forget when setting goals becomes especially relevant at this time of year, when many start making resolutions and planning what they want to accomplish. Everyone is familiar with SMART goals, measurable targets, and action plans. Yet there is one crucial element that is often overlooked.
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Think of goal setting like renovating a kitchen. Let’s say you want a brand-new kitchen. The first step is planning. You create a folder and decide on the cupboards, the countertop, the backsplash, and the hardwood floor. You gather inspiration, images, and ideas. People are very good at this stage. In real life, this looks like writing down your goals, creating a vision board, and clearly defining what you want to achieve.
This is where most people skip an important step. They jump straight to step three, which is installing the new cupboards. They try to take their list of objectives and immediately implement them in their life. While this may seem logical, it is premature. It is like placing new cupboards over old ones or installing a new island on top of the existing island. Something essential is missing.
The step most people forget is step number two: gutting the old kitchen. Before you can install anything new, you must remove what is already there. Otherwise, the renovation simply does not make sense. This is exactly what happens with goal setting. We often focus on what we want and how we will get there, but we forget to address what is in the way.
When setting goals, create an additional column between what you want and how you will achieve it. In this column, identify what is blocking you from moving forward. What limiting beliefs do you need to release? What emotions are standing in your way, such as anger, fear, sadness, guilt, or frustration? When you are in prefrontal cortex overload because of these emotions, you are not at your best, and this significantly reduces your ability to reach your objectives.
There may also be past traumas influencing your present behavior. Perhaps you experienced betrayal in a previous job, and now you struggle to trust your team. Whatever happened in your past, it is important to cut the ties and let go. You need to clear out the old kitchen so you can move forward with clarity and strength.
Once you have identified and released what no longer serves you, you can then move on to step number three: installing the new kitchen, or in this case, implementing new behaviors and habits aligned with your goals. Remember this crucial second step. Add that extra column, identify what is holding you back, and consciously remove it so you can truly reach and achieve your goals this year.
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