What Does It Mean When Someone Says You Move The Goalposts

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Ever been working towards a target, only for it to suddenly shift? Then you might have heard someone say, “You’re moving the goalposts!” But What Does It Mean When Someone Says You Move The Goalposts? It signifies that the rules or conditions of an agreement or challenge have been unfairly altered mid-way, making it harder, or even impossible, for you to succeed. It’s a frustrating tactic that undermines fairness and trust.

Decoding the Goalpost Shift: More Than Just a Change

When someone moves the goalposts, they’re not just making a minor adjustment; they’re fundamentally altering the terms of engagement. It often happens subtly, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact moment the change occurred. The core issue is that the original agreement, promise, or criteria for success is no longer valid. It can manifest in various ways:

• Changing the requirements for a project after it’s already underway.
• Demanding new qualifications after someone has already met the initial ones.
• Shifting the definition of “success” to something unattainable.

The impact of this behavior can be significant. It can erode motivation, create resentment, and damage relationships. Imagine a scenario where you’re promised a bonus for achieving a certain sales target. After you reach that target, your boss suddenly claims that the target was “just a guideline” and introduces a new, much higher target for the bonus. This is a clear example of moving the goalposts, and it’s a recipe for dissatisfaction. Below are more examples:

1. A student is told they need an 80% to get an A, but after achieving that, the professor raises the bar to 90%.
2. A company promises a promotion after a year, but then adds new, unmentioned prerequisites as the year ends.
3. A friend agrees to help you move, but then keeps adding extra conditions to their assistance.

Furthermore, moving the goalposts can be a power play. It allows the person shifting the requirements to maintain control and keep others perpetually striving without ever quite reaching their goals. It can also be a sign of someone who is indecisive, has poor planning skills, or simply enjoys creating chaos. The following table will summarize this section:

To understand more about psychological manipulation and the various tactics people use, check out the resource in the following section. It offers further insight into recognizing and dealing with such behaviors.