Milestones vs. Roadblocks
I am 100% for Milestones – BUT (yes BUT) when they start turning into Roadblocks we need to re—evaluate what our game plan really is. Are we really setting milestones – or excuses to keep putting off our goals and dreams?
Why do we set milestones?
By definition a milestone is ‘an action or event marking a significant change or stage in development.’
Milestones make up our road/path to your ultimate goal(s) or dreams. They are the smaller goals that need to be accomplished in order to achieve the ultimate end result – Goal or Dream Achievement!
Examples Of Milestones:
- A milestone could be I need to have ‘x’ money in the bank to invest (and complete) a course, or finally take that vacation.
- ‘I need wait till the kids have moved out of the house before we do a renovation in the house’.
- It can be all about timing – I need to wait till next month before I start working on that project.
- I am waiting after my birthday to start my diet.
So What’s the problem?
The problem is when the milestones are being rescheduled or changed up – over and over again – and over again. They are too easily replaced with a revised milestone. As well, when additional milestones are added into the plan – pushing out your goals. But let’s be honest – these particular milestones are turning into excuses that hold us back from moving forward and achieving our ultimate goals.
Another way of looking at this active milestone/roadblock rescheduling could be considered avoidance tendencies.
Caveat – Milestones can and be all means should be reviewed, re-evaluated, tweaked, adjusted and re-aligned. This article is all about replacing milestones that push your goals further out of reach
Roadblock Milestone’ing
When the milestones keep coming and going this is where the milestone has turned into the roadblock. The roadblock is the ability to make more and more unproductive milestones. It is the excuse(s) to not go for what is desired.
Or maybe you really didn’t want it? Hmmmmm???
Now don’t get me wrong I have experienced this rescheduling/restarting/avoiding milestone maker myself! I admit I have been guilty for this behavior. I could probably come up with at least five occasions in the past year that I kept re-setting milestones on the path to my goals.
Does this make me a bad person? Hell no. However, I am not doing myself any favours for keeping up this behavior.
The Challenge – Milestone Review
Think of ONE of your goals that you have had for like forever. What was your path that you originally designed to get to the end goal — what were your milestones? And finally – if you were to map out your milestones – did you reschedule/change any of them…and why?
Please DO NOT be upset with yourself if your milestones are really your roadblocks – today we are going to change this and get you back on your game plan…your road map per se.
How to go from a chronic Milestone Maker to a Milestone Crusher
- Be Accountable to your milestones – There are a few ways to do this.
- Mapping out your milestones and printing out your milestone/game plan and posting it somewhere you will see it everyday. Write about it in you Journal, or frame it up if you want to be super dorky.
- Telling a friend about your milestone and the ultimate goal. Ask them to help you hold yourself accountable to your milestones – and your goal(s).
- Caveat – it is NOT anyone’s else fault or excuse for not achieving your goals.
- Set realistic milestones – and in this case maybe make the milestone a little harder achieve. Something that you need to really work hard to reach. Sounds odd to say this but if your milestones are too easy, then they are easy to re-set.
- Example – Starting the diet next week vs. committing to starting the diet NOW. Saving up 15% more than what you need.
- Do not set a milestone that is dependent on someone else achieving their own milestone.
- Example – Waiting for someone to retire to get ‘that’ job. Waiting for the kids to move out.
- Celebrate achieving the milestones – the big and the small ones. You did it and should be proud that you accomplished your plan – celebrate it with some pats on your back or shout it out to your accountability buddy that you crushed your milestone. Be proud – you are one step closer to your goal!
- Set your OWN milestones – Sounds easy enough, but in our digital online world we tend to follow the path that others have taken. We assume that if they could do it – so can I. Which can be true – but may not show the whole story. The path of others don’t always show the challenges and struggles. Set your milestones (and goals) based on YOU – and you alone.
Want to work with me? Sure ya do! Drop me an email @ jen@blankslatecoaching.ca
Photo Credits: NORTHFOLK on Unsplash, Doran Erickson on Unsplash, NORTHFOLK on Unsplash
