Did you have a list of lofty goals that you were going to crush this year? Now, here we are months later and maybe you haven’t crossed off as many things as you were hoping for. Maybe some of your initial goals are no longer viable or realistic given changes that have occurred. Does that mean you just move on, unfocused, and without a plan? Absolutely not. Rather than focusing on what didn’t work out, follow these steps to get refocused and turn things around.
The first thing you do, to get your goals back on track, is to review and assess your goals to see if they are still achievable. Keeping in mind the new timelines and changes that may have taken place since you initially set them. If the goal is still something you want to accomplish then you may need to adjust due dates. You might also want to think of the best way to complete the task given your current situation. Be realistic if the goal needs to be modified or altered. Also, be prepared to get creative with how you want to reach your goal.
Your priorities may have shifted since you last visited your goals and that is OK. Situations change and it’s important that we adapt to what is currently going on, not work against it or get stuck in the past. This can be as simple as changing the method in which the goal is achieved or as involved as doing a complete overhaul of your current goals. Whatever the case, it’s important that your goals reflect what is currently happening and what is realistic for you to accomplish given your circumstances.
If you’re coming off of a goal hiatus the aim is to momentum going again. Big goals are great but they can seem distant and overwhelming. To combat this it’s important to set up daily tasks that are designed to help you reach your end goal without feeling defeating. These tasks should help make you consistent with taking daily action to achieve your goals. By doing something small every day you’ll chip away at your goals without all of the overwhelm that can build up.
Because these are daily tasks it’s a good idea to write them down so you are clear on what the objective is for each day. The bonus of setting up daily goals is that gets momentum flowing and puts you in a positive position to accomplish what you set out to do. When you cross something off your list each day you’re left feeling much more positive about your work than simply grinding out work with no direct clear direction. One task every day can have a massive impact as it sets up strong habits that are compounded over time.
Just because something worked in the past doesn’t mean it’s the best solution for your current situation. It’s important to not be stubborn about how you accomplish your goal because this can lead to frustration and delay. Things change and sometimes situations are fluid which is why you should review your goals regularly. It’s imperative that you’re adaptable and willing to change your methods to best support your goals. Getting rid of the things that aren’t working makes room for more efficient methods.
If fear is paralyzing you from moving forward and keeping you stuck - you need to just start. Lock in on your goals and take messy, imperfect action. It’s better to fail forward than to remain stagnant. When you fail forward you discover what will work and what won’t cut it much quicker than waiting for perfect conditions. Moving forward, even when you’re uncertain, ensures that you are learning constantly and making yourself adaptable.
Failing can seem scary, especially if you’re a perfectionist, but if you want to reap the rewards sometimes you have to be willing to get things wrong in the process because rarely will things ever go 100% your way.
If you’ve been putting your goals on the back burner it’s time to bring them back to a roaring boil. Don’t let overwhelm keep you from making progress. Reassess, set up daily tasks, ditch what doesn’t work, and don’t be afraid of failing forward.
Michele Bailey is president and CEO of Blazing Agency and My Big Idea®. These two lines of business work congruently to support her clients’ success.
