Oh please don't set goals, especially if you're one of the folk who have all the good intentions in the world, setting goals at the beginning of the year and then don't do anything about them! You're then the first to say “Oh Goals, they seriously don't work.”

Stop giving Goal Setting such bad press. Your failure should not be the catalyst of non-action by others who you have the opportunity to influence.

Maybe you don't realise you're on the anti-goal setting team? Let me help you identify yourself.

Here’s what I've discovered in the past few weeks working with a few people and their goal setting attempts:

Grand Plans – creating the long list or dreaming up the gargantuan goal which is seriously way too big. It’s like ordering a big steak and then shoving into your mouth and attempting to eat it! Generally we use techniques & tools (a steak knife is good) to manage the goals. I’m loving Evernote to manage my goals (and business).

No Support – attempting to go it alone and being a hero. There are people in your life who would probably like to achieve the same goals. In the workplace – tell people, involve people – there are so many ‘helpers’ around who would be ‘turned on’ by being asked. And, if your partner loves you, then get them to join you or at least be there for moral support.

Self Doubt – listening to the negative language in your head; it’s a killer. It’s the biggest enemy of Goal Setting. If you’re hearing voices say “I can't do that” or “I'll start tomorrow” then focus on controlling this before you do anything.

No Visuals – relying on your memory to recall goals and goal progress – it is almost unachievable. Help your brain by ‘posting’ your goals, targets, achievements etc in places visible to the eye – in writing or try images.

If you're guilty of the above four then you may need some help if you want to give the Goal Setting another go!

Or, if you've given up on Goal Setting, then encourage others by using a crafted story which identifies your mistakes and 'what not to do'. Then, shut up!