You might daydream about becoming the next singing sensation or a billion-dollar boss of your own company, but what are you doing to achieve your dreams? If you’re constantly putting them off or showing a lack of commitment, you’re never going to get there. Here are 15 signs you’re not taking your goals seriously enough and need a wake-up call.
1. You’re a procrastination pro.
When setting tasks to achieve your goals, you can’t seem to commit to them. Maybe you say, “I’ll do it tomorrow” or “I’m not ready.” But if not now, when? Life’s not going to wait around for you to make things happen, and you could be missing out on opportunities. Take stock of what’s causing you to procrastinate. Is it a fear of failure or making mistakes? By becoming aware of your underlying issues, you can overcome them and be more proactive with your dreams.
2. You’re not a big planner.
Although you might think you can be spontaneous and make things up as you go along, this doesn’t work. You need a plan so you know where you’re going and how to get there. It’s a bit like writing a book. If you don’t know what to put in the different chapters, you’re going to write yourself into a corner. Having a plan enables you to set measurable milestones so you can track your progress and identify areas where you need to improve.
3. You don’t put in the time.
You can’t achieve your dreams if you don’t put in regular time to work on them. It’s sometimes said that you should do something every day to take you one step closer to achieving success, so try to stick to that guideline. Even if you dedicate one hour per day to achieving your goal, this will add up quickly and help you get to the finish line faster. Consistency is key, though, to keep you motivated and on track.
4. You’re easily distracted.
When you sit down to work on your dreams, do you find yourself checking social media for hours instead? There are distractions all around you that could be causing you to put your dreams on the back burner. Switch off your phone so you’re not bombarded with IG notifications or texts from loved ones. Tell your friends that you’re busy with something important so they don’t bombard you. It’ll be difficult at first, but you’ll thank yourself when you see the progress you’re making.
5. You make excuses.
Maybe you always find a way to blame someone or something else for your lack of progress, like a busy work schedule or a demanding partner. But the thing is, you’re the only one responsible for your dreams. You can’t expect other people to make them happen for you. People who’ve achieved their wildest dreams have found a way to achieve them even when they’ve had a busy schedule, kids, or other commitments.
6. You avoid certain tasks.
Chasing your dreams isn’t always fun. There are going to be tasks you have to complete that are boring or stressful, but putting them off is only delaying the inevitable. For example, if you’re keen to buy a house, you’re going to have to do the hard work of researching homes that are for sale and contacting your bank about a home loan. Similarly, if you want to start a business, you’re going to have to work on a business plan. It might help to get support for these tasks if they’re difficult to get through so they don’t take too much of your time.
7. You’re always engaging in negative self-talk.
If you doubt your ability to achieve your goals because you lack self-confidence, you’re going to hold yourself back. This reduces your motivation and increases your anxiety. Negative self-talk also erodes your self-esteem, which makes it more difficult to believe that you can succeed. Instead of listening to your negative thoughts, challenge them with positive ones. For example, you could say, “I can do this because I work hard/I’m committed.”
8. You keep saying you have a lack of resources.
Achieving your goal might be challenging because you don’t have the resources, such as education or finances. But you know what? This isn’t a reason to throw your goals on the back burner. Many people have achieved their dreams with less than you have. Instead of thinking there’s no way forward, find creative ways to invest in yourself, such as by reading books, taking online courses, or getting a mentor.
9. You’re not passionate about your dreams.
It’s challenging to achieve your goals if you’re not excited about them. This makes it difficult to stay motivated and put in the time to make them happen. You know what? Perhaps you’re chasing the wrong dream. Although this could be difficult to hear, striving to achieve something that’s not right for you increases the risk of stress and burnout. It also reduces your sense of accomplishment, so what’s the point?
10. You’re too much of a perfectionist.
It’s a misconception to think that perfectionists achieve all their goals. The opposite can be true. This is because if you’re striving for perfection, you’re sabotaging yourself by thinking the conditions have to be just right before you can work toward your goal. Or, you might be thinking that you have to obsess over every detail, which makes you detract from the overall progress and can lead to tasks being left unfinished.
11. You give up way too easily.
If you encounter challenges on your way to achieving your goal, you might see them as dead-ends instead of opportunities to grow and learn. Everyone dislikes setbacks, but that shouldn’t make you give up on your dreams. Take some time to find a way to work around the obstacles in your path. For example, if you have knowledge gaps, consider boosting your education. Similarly, if you lack financial resources, brainstorm ways to raise money. There’s always a way forward!
12. You’re letting other people’s opinions lead you astray.
Although it can be useful to ask other people for their opinions and feedback, you shouldn’t allow yourself to get too swayed by what people think about your dreams. The fact is, not everyone has your best interests at heart and they could be undermining you or sabotaging your success. It’s good to remember that others might not see the potential in your goals because they don’t share your perspective. Besides, it’s your unique vision that makes your goal special.
13. You’re focusing on other people’s dreams instead of your own.
You might be focusing too much on other people’s dreams to distract you from the stress or pressure of working on your goals. Perhaps because you’re afraid of taking a risk and failing. But, the price you’re paying is missing out on making the most of your opportunities. Try to understand your motives for helping others instead of concentrating on your needs. Then, figure out what you want from life. Building your confidence can help you overcome the fear and insecurities that hold you back.
14. You’re not making sacrifices to achieve your goal.
Chasing a dream requires a lot of commitment, so you have to be prepared to make sacrifices if you want to be successful. For example, sometimes you’re going to have to cancel social plans so you can work, or you might have to put money into your start-up company instead of into a vacation. While having a healthy work-life balance is important, you need to make dream-chasing your priority or your goals will remain on the back burner.
15. You get angry when people give you constructive feedback.
If you’re too sensitive to the constructive feedback others give you, you could be blocking opportunities to improve your craft. Being defensive prevents insights that could help you enhance your strategies and skills to achieve your dreams. You need to realize that success doesn’t happen in a bubble—you need other people’s input to fine-tune your path to success. If you keep pushing it away, you’re not learning or growing.
