--- title: Why You Didn’t Reach Your Goals Last Year and How to Reach Them Now | The Sales Blog description: Right around this time each year, people stop to write their goals and to resolve to make changes in their lives. Most of the time the goals aren’t achieved or the resolutions kept. The reason we fail is because, outside of some greater context, goals and resolutions are impotent. Not Enough Focus at 50,000 Feet We […] image: https://www.thesalesblog.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_209109145.jpg --- ### [Now booking SKO meetings for 2026/27! 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Most of the time the goals aren’t achieved or the resolutions kept. The reason we fail is because, outside of some greater context, goals and resolutions are impotent. #### Not Enough Focus at 50,000 Feet We spend too much time in the here and now, and not enough time working on what will give our lives [meaning](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/adding-meaning), our vision of ourselves, our values, our mission, and our contribution. If you want to reach your goals and keep your resolutions, you have to spend time here, at 50,000 ft. - How is your goal or resolution tied to the person you are striving to become? - How does your goal align with your values? Which values? - What mission is your goal or resolution going to help you to achieve? - In what way does your goal or resolution help you to make the contribution you are here to make? There isn’t any reason to work on all the things on your [To Do list](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/your-why-do-list) unless those things are concretely tied to what gives your life meaning. But once you can answer these questions, you need to get to the concrete. #### Not Enough Focus at 10,000 ft. A goal or a resolution needs a plan. Without a concrete, written action plan and accountability, your goals or resolutions are simply good intentions. Spending time at 50,000 feet can help compel you with a burning reason “why.” Spending time at 10,000 feet can provide you with the “what,” the “how,” and the “when.” - In order to reach your goal, what do you have to do right now? - What actions do you have to take, and when do you have to take them - What resources do you have available to help you achieve your goal and keep your resolution? - How are you going to hold yourself accountable? Without a big, compelling reason “why,” your goals and [resolutions](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/resolution-or-transformation) are impotent. Without an action plan to commit to and personal accountability, your goals and resolutions are nothing more than good intentions. You breathe life into your goals and resolutions by doing the work to tie them to your mission and what gives meaning to your life.   ###### Tags: [Goals](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/tag/goals) Post by [Anthony Iannarino](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/author/anthony-iannarino) on December 30, 2014 Written and edited by human brains and human hands. ![Anthony Iannarino](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hubfs/ai-blog-profile-crop.jpg) Anthony Iannarino is an American writer. He has published daily at [thesalesblog.com](https://www.thesalesblog.com) for more than 14 years, amassing over 5,300 articles and making this platform a destination for salespeople and sales leaders. Anthony is also the author of four best-selling books documenting modern sales methodologies and a fifth book for sales leaders seeking revenue growth. His latest book for an even wider audience is titled, The Negativity Fast: Proven Techniques to Increase Positivity, Reduce Fear, and Boost Success. Anthony speaks to sales organizations worldwide, delivering cutting-edge sales strategies and tactics that work in this ever-evolving B2B landscape. He also provides workshops and seminars. Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn, X or Youtube. You can email Anthony at [iannarino@gmail.com](mailto:iannarino@gmail.com) [Follow me on my website](https://www.thesalesblog.com/anthony-iannarino) [Follow me on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/thesalesblog) [Follow me on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/iannarino/) [Follow me on Twitter ](http://www.twitter.com/iannarino) [![AISA-square-ad-SKOs-26-27](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AISA-square-ad-SKOs-26-27.jpg?width=400&height=400&name=AISA-square-ad-SKOs-26-27.jpg)](https://www.thesalesblog.com/authority) [![ai-cold-calling-video-sidebar-offer-1](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ai-cold-calling-video-sidebar-offer-1.jpg?width=318&height=179&name=ai-cold-calling-video-sidebar-offer-1.jpg)](https://www.thesalesblog.com/free-cold-calling-video) ![hustler-ebook-v3-1-cover](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Free%20Resources/ebooks-2020/hustler-ebook-v3-1-cover.jpg?width=768&height=994&name=hustler-ebook-v3-1-cover.jpg) ### Guide to Becoming a Sales Hustler You weren’t put here to survive. You were put here to do something and to flourish. You’re here to reach your full potential and to make a difference. [![DOWNLOAD EBOOK](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2922376/5746f431-45b9-48ee-a8d8-e9a950e5ab3f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2922376/5746f431-45b9-48ee-a8d8-e9a950e5ab3f) ## Are You Ready To Solve Your Sales Challenges? ![Anthony-Solve-Sales](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Anthony-Solve-Sales.png?width=290&height=221&name=Anthony-Solve-Sales.png) Hi, I’m Anthony. I help sales teams make the changes needed to create more opportunities & crush their sales targets. What we’re doing right now **is working**, even in this challenging economy. **Would you like some help?** [![Solve for Sales](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2922376/d3a4938b-2008-4a27-8b44-7b2223f6d035.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2922376/d3a4938b-2008-4a27-8b44-7b2223f6d035) ### Join my Weekly Newsletter for Sales Tips Join 100,000+ sales professionals in my weekly newsletter and get my *Guide to Becoming a Sales Hustler* eBook for FREE! --- ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org/", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Anthony Iannarino" }, "dateModified" : "2023-02-22T11:17:27 AM", "datePublished" : "2014-12-30 21:12:02", "description" : "Right around this time each year, people stop to write their goals and to resolve to make changes in their lives. Most of the time the goals aren’t achieved or the resolutions kept. The reason we fail is because, outside of some greater context, goals and resolutions are impotent. 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