The Six Main Reasons People and Organizations Fail to Achieve Their Goals

We are at the end of January and by now many people have already given up on their so called new year’s resolutions. Have you? According to ASTD’s Human Performance Improvement model, there are six main causes for poor performance http://www.astd.org/.  If you look at these causes and apply them to the strategic goal setting process, you can take a proactive approach and avert failure by considering how the following six keys apply to the goals you have set:

1. Knowledge/Skills: It’s a simple question… do you know how to do what you are trying to achieve? Do you need to develop some skills in this area? Is there a class you can take or a book you can read that will help you to improve your skills?

2. Motives: How important is this goal to you? To your organization? Have you identified what drives you? What is your main motivator? Steven Covey is known for saying that “you don’t invent your vision, you discover it.” The same can be said for motives. Motivation comes from inside, so it’s essential that you realize what motivates you.

3. Resources: Do you have the proper resources in place to achieve your goals? Consider what physical, financial and/or human resources you need to accomplish the task at hand. Make a list of the resources you need, and get to work on acquiring them. Of course some of the resources are more expensive than others and you may want to consider a phased approach as your program is implemented.

4. Systems: Ask yourself if you have the appropriate systems and processes in place to implement your goals. Do your systems support your team and your organization? Systems can include communication, marketing, computer networks & resources.

5. Information: New goals and new projects require accessing new information, new research on your target projects and goals. Do you have the information you need? Do you know where to find the information? Does your competition have better sources of information?

6. Wellness: Any new endeavor requires new energy and focus. Everyone has their own personal definition of wellness; to some it means work/life balance, financial health, and/or personal well being. In order to rise to the challenge of achieving new goals you need to be clear on the level of wellness and preparedness essential to your success.

I have found that one of the most important parts of achieving any goal is to implement the best system there is to make it happen. If you are managing a project, use an effective project management system; writing a speech? There’s a great process to do that effectively; lose weight? Well, you know there are loads of processes to help you with that. My favorites… eat right & exercise!

So remember the six major stumbling blocks to success, and navigate around them with a plan to succeed in 2010!