I’m a pretty big dreamer. As my husband always tells me, there is nothing I feel like I can’t do. I’m invincible. Little things like logic or time constraints don’t really mean much to me when it comes to a goal I really want to accomplish.
But sometimes when you dream big, you risk a lot. Which leads to self-doubt and a bit of fear. That little voice starts getting louder: Are you REALLY going to be able to pull this off? You? Really? Are you sure?
And then that leads you to thinking about ways you can back out of it. The doubts become very real.
I’m in the midst of writing my next book and it feels enormous. Trying to condense everything I want to say into book form is taking longer than expected and since I’m my own publisher, it’s easy enough to say, Eh, I tried. I’ll put this on the shelf and worry about it later.
But I won’t do that. It’s unfair to my long-term goals for me to give into short-term frustration. So I keep pushing. And eventually, this book will be finished.
Sometimes the magnitude of what you’re trying to do seems like you’ll never be finished. But I’m here to give you some tips on pushing through.
1) Set reasonable deadlines.
The fastest way for you to want to punk out on your goals is to set unreasonable expectations for yourself. Take the time to think about what you can reasonably handle. And then set mini deadlines to help you along your path.
2) Give yourself an alter-ego.
My alter ego is Warrior Queen Princess Juicyfruit. (Don’t ask me where I got the name from.) When I have to do something I don’t want to do, I take on a whole new persona. The last time I had to bring Warrior Queen out? At the OB/GYN’s office for my annual pap. And she will be back for my IUD removal. *shudders*
3) Tell everyone about your goals.
I’ve been telling everyone that I have a book in me and I want to be out and published by the summer. Now, all week long, I’ve got people asking me, “How’s the book coming? When is it coming out?” On those days when I’d rather be anywhere but at my keyboard, those questions are reminders that I have deadlines to hit and they don’t count if I don’t put in the work.
4) Have some reward waiting for you.
After I finish this book, I’m taking my family on vacation. Nothing too fancy but 3 days of sunshine and kicking it on the beach. It’s been YEARS since I’ve been on vacation and we’ve yet to take a “real” vacation of more than a day trip. Your reward doesn’t have to be as large. Telling yourself you can buy a new accessory could be rewarding for you or maybe that you’ll treat yourself to a movie. Whether you go big or small, having a reward in mind as you work on your goals can be extra motivation.
5) Mark your progress.
I don’t know about you but I need to see some forward movement before I feel happy about where I am. Recognize what those signs of progress are (if you’re writing a book, for example, finishing each chapter is cause for celebration!) and then pat yourself on the back for reaching them.
6) Take breaks.
Sometimes we get so hung up on a goal that we don’t realize that what we’re really doing is digging ourselves into a hole. For example, one semester in grad school, I decided I was going to take three classes, PLUS my internship. Did I mention this was the semester right after I got laid off? It was crazy to put so much on my shoulders when I was also trying to find a new job and figure out how I was going to feed my family. I ended up dropping a class and postponing my internship. My stress levels decreased and I was able to do a much better job balancing everything.
7) Make “growth” your mantra.
The only way we grow is if we try new things and stretch ourselves beyond what we think is possible. I’ve always told myself that I should see some change from year-to-year in who I am as a person. I don’t want to be 30 years old and still facing the same challenges I did when I was 20. Growth is my mantra and it helps me realize in every difficulty, there is a lesson that will make me a better person.
Now it’s your turn—what do you do to keep yourself from punking out on your goals?
Like Nike says, Just Do It. I am a super procrastinator and I too knew I wanted to write a book. After years of having it as a recurring New Years resolution, I just did it. I started researching local authors, then a publishing service, then a graphic designer. I’m happy to say that I’m publishing my 3rd book this year.
I’m learning a lot from you guys, also. Will pass this website on 2 my daughters & daughters-in-law!!!
These are some great tips! I think fear of failure is what keeps me from going through with my goals most often, but as I told my friend recently, you can’t grow if you aren’t willing to move forward. It’s time for me to take my own advice.
What keeps me moving forward towards my goals is the fact I want to see change. Change in myself as an individual and in my circumstances. If I don’t go I can’t grow.
I am a notprious procrastinatpr. Especially when it comes.to blog.stuff. I always.say I’m going to post more often and then come up with lame excuse.why I.can’t to it today.but tomorrow. Then when.tomorrow.gets here.I put it off again and.again. I’m going.ro stop doing that.because my blog is.suffering. Thanks.for the.reminder, Miss Tara!