How To Crush Your Goals (Even When You Don’t Feel Like It)

A few weeks ago I celebrated my birthday, and as is my tradition, I thought about how far I’ve come since my last birthday, and where I like to go by the next.

But I’ll be honest; this year was tougher than most. Amidst the nonstop news cycle of COVID-19 awfulness, I’ve found it hard to focus, my sleeping has suffered, and my motivation and creativity have been severely challenged. 

As I blew out the candles on my cake, a truth crystallized in my brain: merely wishing for something to happen wouldn’t make it so; taking action was the answer.

But what do you do if you’re feeling overwhelmed, unmotivated, or stuck?

Here are a few tips to help you crush your goals, even when you don’t feel like it:

Think micro not macro

I love dreaming big and thinking about what’s possible, but when it comes to executing, it’s the small actions, done consistently, that matter most. Progress isn’t derived from a single bold, sweeping gesture; it’s made one step at a time.

Redefine success

Have you found that despite your best efforts, you’re just not able to move the needle like you used to? Living and working in this new normal post-coronavirus world means finding new ways of defining and measuring success. In your quest to be more adaptable, don’t forget to be kind to yourself and practice a little self-compassion.

Track your progress

Remember the old thermometer type charts where you filled in increments as you steadily reached your goal? That visual aid worked because it served as a reminder of how far you’d come and what was left to achieve. Need a little more motivation? Enlist the help of an accountability partner, with whom you have regularly scheduled check-ins to report on your progress.

Celebrate the small wins

It’s easy to get caught up in the minutiae and forget to pause and reflect on your accomplishments. Keep track of the small wins by recording them in a journal or electronic file. The next time you’re feeling a bit defeated, refer back to your notes to give you a much-needed boost of motivation and encouragement.

Focus on making one decision

You may be familiar with the phrase, “You’re always one decision away from a totally different life.” While that may be true, the trouble is that you’d only be able to appreciate that decision in hindsight. Instead, use your awareness to focus on making one decision right now that will move you closer to your goal.

Believe that you can

Henry Ford famously said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right.” Said another way, those who tend to achieve, believe that they can, despite setbacks or failures. They maintain a positive perspective and a growth mindset where they believe that through dedication and hard work, they can achieve great things. 

While it’s okay to have an off day, where fear, uncertainty, and doubt can creep in, holding steadfast to the belief that you can and will succeed is paramount to your success.

Think slow and steady, not instantaneous

In our social media-fueled world where everyone seems to find instantaneous success, it’s easy to get discouraged and feel like you’re lagging behind. Yet as many entrepreneurs will tell you, their “overnight” success took years. 

And on a related personal note, this is my 100th article as a Forbes contributor. If you had told me nearly two years ago that I’d write five articles a month for twenty months in a row, I might have scoffed, yet here we are. For me, it’s always been about writing one article at a time.

As the old adage goes, slow and steady wins the race. Instead of chasing instant success, focus your efforts on the long game, taking action every day to move closer to your goals.

An earlier version of this article was first published on Forbes.com. Find it here, and Amy's other Forbes articles here.

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?Amy Blaschka is a social media ghostwriter who helps leaders craft their stories to communicate and connect better. Contact her if you'd like her help.?

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