What’s the Difference Between Realistic and Unrealistic Goals?

In life, there are many things we should strive for

Many of us set goals for our lives, whether it be to reach a certain weight or simply just to get out of bed in the morning. We know there are some goals that are more realistic than others.

But what about those that seem too good to be true? Have you ever had a goal that was almost too difficult? These types of goals can often lead to depression or anxiety, and maybe even self-sabotage.

Here are some ways to distinguish between realistic and unrealistic goals so your life can feel fulfilling and happy.

Defining realistic goals

It can be hard to identify a realistic goal. Many times, goals are only defined by what they are not. For example, a realistic goal might not be something that’s in someone’s immediate future.

However, it could be something that they haven’t considered before or something that is just out of reach.

The first step in defining a realistic goal is figuring out what you want out of life. Some people want to travel the world while others just want to make enough money to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle at home.

Next, ask yourself some tough questions and try to answer them honestly:

What are your limitations?

What will realistically happen in your lifetime?

How will you achieve this goal?

What can distract you from pursuing this goal?

Will you have any support along the way?

Defining unrealistic goals

Unrealistic goals are usually ones that seem too good to be true. For example, a goal to lose 20 pounds in a week may seem too difficult to accomplish.

If you find yourself setting unrealistic goals, it might be because you are trying to reach unrealistic expectations of yourself.

You may have come up with the goal to get your life back on track after a bad break-up or start a new job and just need some motivation.

But if the goal is too excessive for what you are able to do, it can lead to feelings of guilt and self-sabotage. No matter how hard you push yourself, there will always be times when life gets in the way and stops you from reaching these overly ambitious goals.

So, if you’re not sure whether your goals are realistic or not ask yourself this question: if I were able to achieve this goal, would my life actually change? If not, then it’s probably time for an overhaul of your life!

Drawbacks of unrealistic goals

An unrealistic goal can cause you to feel like you’re falling short. If you have unrealistic goals, it’s likely that you’ll feel under-skilled and unprepared to achieve them.

Another drawback of having unrealistic goals is the inability to motivate yourself in your day-to-day life. When you set an unrealistic goal, it can be difficult to find something new to keep yourself motivated. You’ll often find that things just aren’t as exciting when they’re not within reach.

Finally, when you have an unrealistic goal, it can also lead to self-sabotage. People often set themselves up for failure by thinking too realistically about what they need to accomplish their goals.

They think about all the steps needed in order for them to achieve their goal and then ultimately give up because of a lack of motivation or interest in the process.

To avoid this, try setting smaller, realistic goals first so that any progress made will not be undermined by guilt and shame from failing at a bigger milestone.

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