Did you lose your way with your goals? It’s never too late to get back on track with them.
We all have big goals that we’d love to achieve. Writing a novel. Launching your own business. Running a marathon. And while it’s easy to feel excited about your goals in the beginning, it’s just as easy to lose sight of them after a while. Maybe real life got in the way or maybe you felt frustrated at the lack of progress. Whatever the reason for falling off your goals, you can always find your way back to them.
We’ve laid out a solid plan to help you reconnect with your goals. By following the steps below, you’ll get back on track with your goals and maximize your chances of success.
5 Ways to Get Back On Track With Your Goals
Determine why you fell off your goals
If you want to get back on track with your goals, you need to figure out why you feel off them in the first place. Otherwise, you’ll risk repeating the same mistakes and patterns, and lose track of them once again.
Some things to ask yourself:
Was my goal too ambitious? While it’s great to be ambitious and excited about your goals, it’s also important to be realistic. If you go too big and too soon on your goals, you might get “goal fatigue.” So If your initial goal was too ambitious, find ways to make it more user-friendly. For example, instead of trying to run for 30 minutes each day, try running three times a week. Instead of trying to write a novel in a month, tell yourself to write 500 words a day.
What got in the way of my goals? Maybe your schedule was too busy so you didn’t have time for your goals. Or you didn’t have the right resources to pursue your goals effectively. Identify your obstacles so you can find solutions for them. So if you overscheduled yourself the first time around, learn how to prioritize your goals and say no to other things. Managing your obstacles ahead of time will help you get back on track with your goals.
Have undeniable proof that you’re working on your goals
Want to make sure you’re on track with your goals? Then you need undeniable proof that you’re working on them. In other words, you need accountability.
Holding yourself accountable is key to getting back on track with your goals. Accountability helps you stay committed. Accountability also keeps you honest. Otherwise, it’s so easy to convince yourself that you’re making progress when you’re not.
One simple way to hold yourself accountable is to create a checklist in your goal planner.
So if your goal is to meditate every day, write it down in your planner and put a little box next to it. When you see that unmarked box in your planner, you’ll have no choice but to do it. That little box is undeniable proof of your actions. You either meditated that day or you didn’t.
Another way to hold yourself accountable is to have an accountability partner. You’ll feel motivated to act on your goals when you have to follow through with another person. So arrange a bi-weekly Zoom check-in or a phone call at the end of the month. When you know that you have to confirm with a partner, you’ll definitely keep yourself on track.
Create a ritual for your goals
So your goal is to write everyday but you can’t seem to get started.
It’s hard to just jump into a task, especially if that task requires your full focus and concentration. It’s like trying to run a race without stretching for it first.
Instead, create a little ritual to help you ease into your goals. A ritual sets the stage and gets you into the right mindset to start working. Maybe it’s lighting a candle before you start writing. Or drinking a cup of coffee before working on a project. Or cleaning your desk to prepare for the day ahead.
Your mind will start associating your ritual with your goal. And it will be easier to transition into your work and be productive.
Find your inner fire
To get back on track with your goals you need to reconnect with your internal motivation.
While external motivation like a prize or trophy or getting lots of likes on social media will motivate you somewhat, it’s not enough. You need to find an internal motivation that is not based on what other people think or a shiny prize. This will inspire you whenever you’re facing adversity with your goals.
Ask yourself: Why do I want to achieve this goal? What am I excited about?
Maybe you want to run a marathon as a way to challenge yourself.
Maybe you want to start a business because you feel passionate about the product.
Maybe you want to do a creative project because you want to express yourself.
Write down your motivation in your planner or pin it on a corkboard. Refer to it whenever you need to reignite the fire within. Reconnecting with your motivation will help you find another gear whenever you’re feeling tired or frustrated.
Goals require time–and energy
To stay on track with your goals you need to commit your time. But it’s also just as important to commit your energy.
In this podcast interview, performance psychologist Dr. Jim Loehr explains that time management isn’t enough to reach your goals. You also need to invest your energy.
You could block off an entire morning to work on your goals, but that time block is a waste if you’re not a morning person. Or if you’re tired from having stayed up watching TV the night before.
So in addition to managing your time well, you need to manage your energy well. Getting enough sleep every night. Eating healthy meals. Taking regular breaks. These are all actions that help you maintain and replenish your energy levels. And as a result, you’ll have more energy to expend on your goals.
Take a look at your current schedule, behaviors, and habits. Which activities drain your energy? Which activities help you restore your energy? Learning how to manage your time and energy effectively will get you back on track with your goals.
Written by JiJi Lee
