WOOHOO! Happy Friday……
I have been talking with friends over the last week about our goals for the year and it seems like some have run out of energy? They are getting close to their goal and their desire wains. They are losing steam. Crazy, right? You would think the closer you get, the more excited you get. Unfortunately, it is not always the case and there are some solid reasons for it.
I get it, though, we are just two months from the end of the earning period for the Leadership Incentive Trip and I am getting distracted. I saw the same thing happen on my weight loss journey as I got closer to goal weight the first time. I believe it is our inner gremlins of fear and doubt but there are some other theories on the subject.
When we start out, we are motivated. Then distractions pop up and our consistency drops off. When we have LOTS of goals on the table sometimes they take more time and energy than we first thought. Before you know it, you feel scattered and don’t know what the next step to take is. So you STOP – not taking any steps.
I’m sure I am not alone when I say “I often think I can accomplish more than I can”. Maybe it is the comparison gremlin or being an optimist or some would say I am just clueless. Whatever it is, the size of my goals usually exceed the time frame in which I can get them done. How many goals or New Year Resolutions did you make? The truth is, when we set too many goals, we are usually sabotaging our ability to reach any of them. And sometimes, the problem isn’t setting too many goals, but not recharging and celebrating between goals. Yup, I’m guilty of it!
This is my vision board for this year…..I was inspired by my accountability partner to just draw it instead of cutting out pictures from a magazine. Of course, we don’t have many magazines so it was always a good excuse not to do one. Drawing it made it real to me. I carry a copy of it in my planner so I can look at it when fear and doubt creep in.
Okay, so back to “goal fatigue”. Researchers talk about your emotional and personal resources getting depleted as you travel on your journey to the finish line of your goal. Believe it or not, the discipline and mental energy necessary for you to reach a goal are finite, even if your ambition is not. Now, it doesn’t mean you stop setting goals what it does mean is narrowing your focus.
When you set too many goals (or New Year’s Resolutions), your finite energy is spread thin instead of concentrating on one or two things. Yes, you can still exhaust your personal energy when you have only one goal. The key is to replenish it before you jump into the next goal. Here is where some self-care and celebration comes in once you reach a goal. Otherwise, you begin your next journey with a less energy available to help you reach the next goal.
I know, narrowing our efforts is hard. We all want to reach our goals as quickly as possible! Remember the story about the tortoise and the hare?
Be consistent and strategically plan knowing each step you take is getting you closer to your goal. Be sure to nurture and replenish your energy. Embrace the process because when you do, you will get there faster and actually enjoy the journey.
I am keeping it simple and learning how to take time to re-energize. Here are some questions to help you figure this all out, courtesy of Valerie Burton:
- What is your most important goal right now?
- What other goals and activities are depleting the personal resources (discipline, time and mental energy) you need in order to reach your goal?
- What adjustments are you able and willing to make to give you more personal resources to reach the goal?
Share your vision board with us. Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!
Hope Wissel 