The first reason most people fail is because they're focusing more on the macro goal rather than the micro-goal which causes them to lose focus. This means people get too caught up with the big picture and not the actual actions that lead there.

You begin losing focus and getting distracted by shiny objects which is where you will go from one goal or project and then start chasing after another. Sometimes that "great" idea that came up can work against you and your current goals. For example, let's say your goal is to lose 10 pounds. Instead of focusing on the macro goal, break that goal into little goals and action steps into a week-by-week action plan, and then break that down even more into a day-by-day plan. So if you're trying to lose weight, then you will want to set your intention to set time aside every morning to put in some exercise and also incorporate a healthy snack throughout the day. Also, keeping track of your weight every day to make sure you're reaching your mini targets, which will in turn help you stay focused and motivated.

It’s the same thing with if your goal is to make more money. If you want to earn what you know you deserve, don’t just say you want to make more money. Create the intention first and then set actionable daily steps you can take to get there. So whether that means making an extra 10 phone calls a day, getting more referrals from your network, or starting a side hustle to bring in more income. It's all about breaking down your goals and not just looking at the big picture which may feel unattainable at times. That is how you will start to have more success reaching your goals.

The second reason most people fail at achieving their goals is that they don't set milestones for themselves and they don't reward themselves when they hit those milestones. The truth is, many people set themselves up for failure when they set unclear goals for themselves. Let's say your goal is to save more money, and once you hit that milestone of getting half way there, that's when you can go and celebrate a little by buying yourself something nice. The point of setting milestones along the way is because it helps you have more flexibility with your goal and you're also going to feel more motivated because you will start to see how much progress you're having. 

Setting milestones will show you how far you've come. Another example is reading a book. When you start in the beginning, you can see the bookmark is barely through the book. But as you start to progress into the story you get deeper into the book, every time you pick the book up you can see how far you've come as the bookmark moves closer and closer towards completion.

When people don’t set these milestones for themselves it makes it hard to realize that there is any progress being made. That is dangerous because when you lose sight of your progress, it is much easier to quit on your initial goals and cut yourself short. However, when you keep track of your milestones and give yourself a little reward when you hit them, you will put yourself in the best position possible to continue making progress. Remember, every goal should be treated as a marathon, not a sprint. Pacing yourself is crucial to succeed in the long run, no matter what challenge you are embarking on.

#3) Quitting After Facing Set-Backs 

The third and last reason most people don't achieve their goals and most people fail their New Year's resolutions is because when they face set-backs , they QUIT. Let's be real here... along any path towards success, you're going to face set-backs. That is especially true if you are trying something brand and getting experience "on the job".

The difference between success and failure is your ability to use set-backs as fuel and as motivation.

One way to practice this mentality is when set-backs occur, to look at the situation from a positive perspective. The good news is that when you face obstacles, you found out what wasn't working and you can start to dissect and figure out what you did wrong, what you did right, and focus more on what you did right.

Never throw the whole project or your goals out because you had a set-back. Unfortunately, most people do give up when there is a road-block because they fail to keep a positive growth mindset. Don't let that be you!

When you face setbacks on your journey as a freelancer or an entrepreneur, use them as fuel to keep your engine running and your goals on track. Don't let the negative energy control you. Instead, use it to fire you up to keep going forward and achieving your goal. By taking a step back and letting a set-back teach you something rather than letting it hold you back, you’ll find the answers to move forward and have successful results with all your goal. 

If you want 2021 to be the year you make progress in every area of your life personally, financially, and spiritually, then you need to set yourself big macro goals. Then you need to break those down daily actionable steps. Lastly, you need to set milestones along the way so you can track your progress and stay motivated.

Everyone has the same 24 hours a day and no matter what we do, we cannot create more time. Therefore, it is all about how we manage ourselves and how we manage our priorities. When you are 100% committed to your goals, you will do whatever it takes to achieve them. I hope this was helpful for you and I look forward to your future success!

- Paul Mendes

 Founder of Profitable Freelancer