The Gap Between Goals and Actions

One of the problems I face when coaching athletes is that they always set goals, but their actions don’t really match them. And that comes from different reasons. Maybe it’s because setting goals and having a target gives us direction and a nice feeling, but we never really understand the cost of that goal.

There’s nothing wrong with dreaming big and setting big goals, but constantly setting things and then giving up midway or changing them will always bring some sort of disappointment. And over time, it builds a habit of lack of confidence.

I won’t be here telling you how to set the right goals for yourself, but I want to open your eyes to a few things that might help you understand whether you’re really choosing or following the right goal or not.

Why What You Say Matters

First of all, you need to understand that what you say matters, and I’ll tell you why:

• Whether you’re a leader at work, a coach, a friend, a mom, or a dad  whatever it is the foundation of trust is the alignment between what you say and what you do. If you keep breaking that, no one will take you seriously.
• Getting used to the habit of saying you’ll do something and then changing midway creates something within you, like an “inner conflict.” Living out of sync with your values makes committing and following through harder over time, and it makes you lose your ability to trust yourself.
• It slowly becomes part of your identity. You start seeing yourself as someone who doesn’t follow through, even if that’s not who you want to be.
• You won’t really know whether you’re choosing the right goals for yourself or not because you haven’t actually tried to follow the steps needed to achieve them.

Some ways to avoid that…

I don’t believe there is a simple step-by-step guide that will completely fix a habit, but there are a few things to think about before setting a goal that might help:

1- Know the cost of the goal
When we talk about the cost of a goal, we mean the sacrifices that come with it. And only you can decide if it’s worth it or not. If you truly believe it’s worth the cost, you’ll be more willing to do what it takes to keep going.

2- Set small, achievable goals within the big goal
Sometimes, when a goal is too big, you get overwhelmed and lose interest midway. That usually happens when you focus only on the end result. It’s better to set small, realistic goals along the way. They can act as checkpoints and give you the satisfaction of actually achieving something.

3- Keep it private
Life now pushes us to share everything — Instagram, social media, and all that. But I think one of the most powerful things is to keep your goals private, or just between you and a few close people. That way, you avoid the feeling of needing to prove something to others.

4- Surround yourself with the right people
If you’re an athlete with a specific goal, it helps to be around people with similar goals. It makes it easier to make decisions that align with what you want. And if that’s not possible, at least stay around people who value integrity and accountability those traits matter for any goal.

A Question Worth Asking Yourself

A question worth asking yourself, and one that also works as a great reminder:

Before committing to any goal, ask yourself honestly:

• Do I really want this, or do I just like the idea of it and whatever comes with that goal fame, money, sponsors, etc.?
• Do I enjoy the process and the person I need to become to achieve it?

Your answer will tell you where that goal truly stands in your priorities.