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Like many people, I use the new year as an opportunity to look over the previous year’s goals and to create new ones. What I’ve noticed in doing so though is that sometimes I have goals that seem to be on repeat: they show up year after year without getting crossed off. Usually when that happens it’s because the goal is something that I do want to do, but that I’m procrastinating on for some reason.

Sometimes the reason is obvious, like when I put a project on the list that I don’t enjoy doing (but I really like the results). In that case it’s a battle between which I hate more: actually doing the project or having it sitting undone, nagging at me. In that case, I know that hating having it sit undone will eventually win, and I’ll complete the project, so I leave it on the list until I get it done.

But sometimes the reason is not so obvious. For example, I’m very interested in making an abundant amount of money each year from my business, but I’ve yet to reach that goal. In cases like this, it pays to examine why the goal is on repeat. Is it that the goal is too ambitious? Is the goal not well-defined enough? Are there smaller steps that should be listed as sub-goals first? Is there something else (such as a fear of success) that needs to be overcome before the goal can be reached? Do I need help staying motivated on a consistent basis? (In my case, I believe a little of each of those reasons are contributing to the problem.)

If you’ve got a goal that seems to be on repeat, take a few moments to examine why, and adjust or eliminate the goal as necessary for the coming year. (It IS ok to just cross a goal off entirely if it turns out that it really isn’t something that you want to accomplish.) Good luck with your goals, and happy new year.