Staying Focused On Your Goals
Knowing what you want is one thing. Knowing how you’re going to get it — well, that’s a whole other story. Sure, establishing your goals is an important first step. But learning to stay motivated is the only way to actually reach those goals. Here are six tips for not only getting on track but staying focused on your goals.
Set Smaller Milestones Along The Way (And Celebrate Them!)
Consider your life a long road trip. While your larger achievements (moving, getting married, scoring that promotion) are like final destinations, the smaller things (editing your resume, meeting new people, etc.) are the important stops you need to make along the way. While it’s good to push yourself and reach for your goals, having smaller, doable checkpoints along the way tracks your progress and keeps you focused.
Deciding to make a change, going to a networking event, seeking out a coach — these are all things worth celebrating. Break down your goals into smaller steps, and celebrate each time you conquer something.
Live in the NOW
Sure, you could spend a year complaining about your old job, mad at your younger self for choosing whatever the hell college major you selected, consumed by how you used to let yourself be treated in the workplace. Or, you could let the past live in the past and turn all your focus into changing your future.
If you’ve already identified a behavior that you want to modify — procrastination, saying “Yes” to too many things, forgetting to ask for help or support — don’t waste more time thinking about or shaming yourself for your old habits. Focus on the new behavior — setting smaller timelines for yourself, saying “No,” reaching out to loved ones.
When you focus on the old, it’s easy to get into a pity-party loop, and it feels like you’re depriving yourself of growth and happiness. Put your energy into the present, into the new behavior, and into moving forward.
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Don’t Do It Alone
No one. I repeat, no one does anything completely by themselves. Find a support system. Find like-minded people that get what you’re going through and want to help. Join a club or activity full of people in similar places in their lives that can share what they’ve learned.
Go to networking events to meet other ambitious people like you. Create a community that supports the things you value. You are not alone in your journey, and you don’t need to act or feel like you are.
Analyze Your Obstacles
Listen, life is going to happen. Things will get in the way. While getting off track now and again is part of the process, if you’re constantly struggling to remain consistent, you need to analyze what’s holding you back.
Do you need more time to get your work done? Do you need a quieter workspace? Do you need the help of a therapist or job coach? Some obstacles may have easy fixes — finding a quiet cafe, blocking a few hours on your schedule, and others may take some more time and planning.
If what you’re trying to do feels hard, find or create ways to make it easier.
Change Up Your New Routines
The plan can change. The path can change. The route. The journey. Any other metaphor about life and time. Yup, that’s subject to switch as well. If you’re starting to feel uninspired in your workspace, try working somewhere else. Not connecting with the people that you’re meeting at your networking events? Look into other groups and try to meet other people.
Ask for help. Switch things up. Break the mold. This whole process is about regaining control of your life. If you’re starting to feel bored or stale or just tired or something — change it.
Remember Why You Started
Take a moment to really think about what you want for yourself and why it’s important you get it. Write it down and put it somewhere that you can look at easily. Do you want to create a better life for yourself? Your kids? Do you want to follow your dreams? Every time you’re ready to throw in the towel, re-read your list and think about all the reasons this was important in the first place.
From setting smaller goals to remembering your inspiration, there are tons of ways to stay motivated on your goals. And whether you’re just starting out or you’re in the thick of all the changes, I’m here to help you stay on track.
