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When a person is losing sight of their goals, how does one stay motivated to keep pursuing their aspirations?
I'm currently not in the predicament, but I need to be prepared for the future. #lifestyle #mentality #mental
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Francisco’s Answer
Hi Matthew,
This is such an important question. Life is unpredictable, and as the whole world has experienced through the COVID-19 pandemic, no one really knows what will the future brings. Staying motivated and focused on your goal can be complicated as you are dealing with the routine, emotional factors, and then external factors outside your control. I can only speak from my experience but this are things that have helped me remained focused and motivated to pursue my ambitions:
1. Making sure to make time to relax. Lots of people believe that to be successful you gotta be working 24/7 or if you are not using every second of the day to achieve your goals, you aren't trying hard enough, but I believe the opposite. Down time and recovery time are productive time. Taking time to relax, watch a movie, go for a walk, or simply spend time doing nothing can recharge your batteries and give you the energy to achieve your goals. Also, it helps you be more efficient as you learn to use your time wisely, instead of just using every second available.
2. Build a reliable support system. Whether it is family, friends, co-workers, or a partner, it is always important to build connections with people who will be there in the good and specially the bad. Knowing you have people supporting you and that will be there for you makes stress levels and anxiety go way down, and gives you the confidence needed to take steps you wouldn't if you didn't have that cushion to fall into.
3. Plan ahead and identify short term manageable goals. Often when we make long term plans it's easy to get discouraged or feel like you aren't making enough progress. You can help eliminate these feelings by setting short term goals that you can achieve within a reasonable time. Like, instead of focusing on opening your own business by the time you are 25, think about what steps can you take in the next month. Maybe you can take a class on entrepreneurship or you can reach out to local organizations who support local businesses. If you take small steps regularly, whether you reach the specific long term goal in form and time will not matter cause you've been successfully meeting your goals.
Hope this helps answer your question. Good luck moving forward!
This is such an important question. Life is unpredictable, and as the whole world has experienced through the COVID-19 pandemic, no one really knows what will the future brings. Staying motivated and focused on your goal can be complicated as you are dealing with the routine, emotional factors, and then external factors outside your control. I can only speak from my experience but this are things that have helped me remained focused and motivated to pursue my ambitions:
1. Making sure to make time to relax. Lots of people believe that to be successful you gotta be working 24/7 or if you are not using every second of the day to achieve your goals, you aren't trying hard enough, but I believe the opposite. Down time and recovery time are productive time. Taking time to relax, watch a movie, go for a walk, or simply spend time doing nothing can recharge your batteries and give you the energy to achieve your goals. Also, it helps you be more efficient as you learn to use your time wisely, instead of just using every second available.
2. Build a reliable support system. Whether it is family, friends, co-workers, or a partner, it is always important to build connections with people who will be there in the good and specially the bad. Knowing you have people supporting you and that will be there for you makes stress levels and anxiety go way down, and gives you the confidence needed to take steps you wouldn't if you didn't have that cushion to fall into.
3. Plan ahead and identify short term manageable goals. Often when we make long term plans it's easy to get discouraged or feel like you aren't making enough progress. You can help eliminate these feelings by setting short term goals that you can achieve within a reasonable time. Like, instead of focusing on opening your own business by the time you are 25, think about what steps can you take in the next month. Maybe you can take a class on entrepreneurship or you can reach out to local organizations who support local businesses. If you take small steps regularly, whether you reach the specific long term goal in form and time will not matter cause you've been successfully meeting your goals.
Hope this helps answer your question. Good luck moving forward!
Racheal Noble, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC, NCC
Mental health, education, research, care coordinator
101
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Racheal’s Answer
Hi Matthew,
This is such a great question. I believe that what happens when people lose site of their goal, it's because they are not focused or the steps they have chosen to take does not align with the goal itself.
When you want to obtain a goal, you have to consider do these steps shape me in the direction of the goal or is this insanity (doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result).
One if the important factors of having goals is taking time to try different things and evaluating if it is making a difference even if the difference is small.
Lastly, be aware that some goals will require more time than other based on what insight, creativity and problem solving skills you have or are necessary.
Most importantly, be open to change and acceptance of what is happening in reality so you are honest and trust yourself.
Find information on S.M.A.R.T. goals to learn how to set specific goals
This is such a great question. I believe that what happens when people lose site of their goal, it's because they are not focused or the steps they have chosen to take does not align with the goal itself.
When you want to obtain a goal, you have to consider do these steps shape me in the direction of the goal or is this insanity (doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result).
One if the important factors of having goals is taking time to try different things and evaluating if it is making a difference even if the difference is small.
Lastly, be aware that some goals will require more time than other based on what insight, creativity and problem solving skills you have or are necessary.
Most importantly, be open to change and acceptance of what is happening in reality so you are honest and trust yourself.
Racheal recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Kevin P’s Answer
Matthew, I have had this issue one too many times in my life and I have to say there are two ways I kept myself going. 1) understanding why I started and 2) setting shorter goals to keep me focused on the larger prize. Let’s take a look one at a time.
It's always important to remember why you started in the first place but sometimes that's not enough you have to remember why you're still in it, why you still want to keep going. So I always remember 3 things when it comes to this why I started in the first place, why I'm still doing it, and why I refuse to give up now. Sometimes you have to write them down in order to really keep them top of mind. Let me give you an example, we'll take a look as to why I joined the military. I joined in 2006 because I was lost and needed direction. Seeing what was happening in the world made this an easy choice for me. But that's not why I'm still in the military, I now have direction. I'm still in because of the soldiers that I work with and that I've grown to love and respect. But that's not why I'm not giving up. I'm not giving up because I want my son to be proud of what I've accomplished. These things have changed the longer I've been in but this keeps me motivated to pursue my aspirations and makes it difficult for me to lose sight of my goals.
The other thing is setting shorter goals to get a sense of accomplishment and feel good along the way. I'll give you another example, I want to run another half marathon this year. That can be a pretty daunting goal so I set shorter goals along the way to keep me motivated and keep my eyes on the goal of running 1/2 marathon. So a shorter goal is running 2 miles without stopping, then running 3 1/2 miles in one session, then running 6 miles in one week, and so on and so forth. I keep myself so busy with accomplishing smaller goals that I don't have time to lose sight of the bigger goal and I'm continuously motivated because I'm continuously achieving small victories.
So don't forget why you started, remember why you're still doing it, understand why you haven't quit, and make small goals. You'll get there I have faith in you
It's always important to remember why you started in the first place but sometimes that's not enough you have to remember why you're still in it, why you still want to keep going. So I always remember 3 things when it comes to this why I started in the first place, why I'm still doing it, and why I refuse to give up now. Sometimes you have to write them down in order to really keep them top of mind. Let me give you an example, we'll take a look as to why I joined the military. I joined in 2006 because I was lost and needed direction. Seeing what was happening in the world made this an easy choice for me. But that's not why I'm still in the military, I now have direction. I'm still in because of the soldiers that I work with and that I've grown to love and respect. But that's not why I'm not giving up. I'm not giving up because I want my son to be proud of what I've accomplished. These things have changed the longer I've been in but this keeps me motivated to pursue my aspirations and makes it difficult for me to lose sight of my goals.
The other thing is setting shorter goals to get a sense of accomplishment and feel good along the way. I'll give you another example, I want to run another half marathon this year. That can be a pretty daunting goal so I set shorter goals along the way to keep me motivated and keep my eyes on the goal of running 1/2 marathon. So a shorter goal is running 2 miles without stopping, then running 3 1/2 miles in one session, then running 6 miles in one week, and so on and so forth. I keep myself so busy with accomplishing smaller goals that I don't have time to lose sight of the bigger goal and I'm continuously motivated because I'm continuously achieving small victories.
So don't forget why you started, remember why you're still doing it, understand why you haven't quit, and make small goals. You'll get there I have faith in you
Updated
Kush’s Answer
Try to be clear with your goals and how you wish to achieve them. Keeping realistic goals and having a real deadline to achieve them keeps us motivated. Also, do not try to do a lot of things at one time as this can easily divert/distract you away from your goals and you might leave them in between. Keep moving towards the goal slowly and keep a track of where you are. Hope this helps.
Updated
Ashley’s Answer
The previous example really helps, and I would add that before deciding which aspirations to pursue, make sure you know your "why".
As in, "Why do I want to accomplish this?"
Consider how this accomplishment would help you, especially in ways that your current predicament does not.
Do your research: What are all the paths to accomplish this? In case you do get discouraged, it's helpful to know you have options.
If you can, have an internal why: something other than money or something dependent on another person. (A good internal reason includes bettering your mental health or tackling an insecurity/weakness by finally accomplishing a feat in this area).
In moments of discouragement, remind yourself of your "why."
And if you find that your "why" is not enough in those moments, don't be afraid to adapt and re-adjust.
As in, "Why do I want to accomplish this?"
Consider how this accomplishment would help you, especially in ways that your current predicament does not.
Do your research: What are all the paths to accomplish this? In case you do get discouraged, it's helpful to know you have options.
If you can, have an internal why: something other than money or something dependent on another person. (A good internal reason includes bettering your mental health or tackling an insecurity/weakness by finally accomplishing a feat in this area).
In moments of discouragement, remind yourself of your "why."
And if you find that your "why" is not enough in those moments, don't be afraid to adapt and re-adjust.
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