A few months ago I made up my mind, set a goal and started taking steps toward it. Even if it’s just a small goal, it still feels like an accomplishment – like a walk down a glimmering path of certain success and glory.
But then suddenly the sparkle fades away. The glimmer on the golden path lessens and eventually becomes completely obscured by a murky depth of “What now?”, “Why bother?”, “Is this even worth it?” suspicions. Every step I take forward seems to pull me further away from my original destination…
A career change? A business start-up? A productivity hack? A relationship milestone? Doesn’t matter - when goals derail it terminates my enthusiasm and motivation like a runaway train screeching to a halt. My hope for the future feels lost.
What is it that causes these emotional derailments? You may find yourself in a similar situation - unable to progress no matter what you do and unable to roll back time. There are many reasons why this might be happening to you, but here are a few of the most common reasons:
• Unmet Expectations - Goals are often tied with expectations. That new job? We expected more money. That new business plan? We expected greater success, sooner. When expectations don’t materialize right away, we often doubt our ability and veer off-track.
• Lack of Openness - Somewhere along that life-altering road, we started to unconsciously close ourselves off to new experiences, ideas, and people. It’s like an invisible wall suddenly rose up between us and our goal – trapping us inside. What we need is permission to come alive again.
• Not Taking Risks - Along with expecting too much, we may become too chained to safety and security. We are subconsciously afraid to take risks or bet on ourselves, so we damage our potential. Fear of failure sabotages our potential, preventing us from going to that too-good-a-place.
• Overthinking Everything - When imposter syndrome takes hold, we tend to think too much about the wrong things: why nothing is happening, what we can’t do, and all the ways we are failing. All that worry does nothing but send us running scared in the other direction.
This is why it’s important to recognize and take action when we sense things moving off-track. One of the best tools we have in these stressful times is the power to pivot and refocus. Here are some tips on how to make that happen:
• Don’t give up! Remember, intense pressure creates intense diamonds. Keep your chin up and fight through it. Tap into your inner strength and resilience.
• Talk it out. Sometimes it helps to find someone who will listen and help figure out what’s really going on. A trusted mentor, family member, or friend can help us regain perspective.
• Make a plan. Get organized and break your goal down into manageable tasks. Set realistic timelines and stake out markers of accomplishment on the way.
• Take breaks. Self-care is just as important. Step aside when you feel overwhelmed and give yourself time to reset and reboot.
• Keep learning. Expand your horizons and make it a goal to continually add to your toolbox. When done correctly, learning can help reduce stress and refresh your spirit.
• Start again. When possible, recommit and try another approach. Whether it’s digital marketing strategies or improving relationships, don’t simply drown yourself in despair – dabble in the ocean of possibility instead.
Setbacks can be devastating, but they open the door for clearer focus and renewed effort. Everyone experiences goals derailment – it’s part of the journey. As long as you remember to reflect and make changes going forward, you are still on the path of self-betterment. Don’t give up on a bright future. Stand tall, press on and find ways to re-discover that too-good-a-place.
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