We’re over halfway into the year and many of you have probably given up, or even forgotten, your New years’ goals.
That’s the great thing about goals though. They don’t have to be in the new year. You can set them anytime.
The biggest problem with achieving goals is that we take the goal too seriously. For example, if I set a goal to go to the gym 5 times a week, and one week I only go 3 times that is considered a failure if you are only looking at the goal. But this is not a failure in my opinion. 3 times is still far more than none. This doesn’t mean you have to give up because you didn’t meet some arbitrary target. Things change. Life happens. We get busy. Whatever happened, it doesn’t have to be permanent.
less progress towards goals is still progress
Maybe you continue to go to the gym, but only 3 times a week if that is more sustainable. If you happen to go 4 or 5 times one week then great. If you happen to go none or once another week, also fine.
Or maybe over 6 months you wanted to save $5,000, but have “only” saved $2,500. This shouldn’t be a reason to give up. $2,500 is still better than if you didn’t save at all, and $5,000 (or more) after one year will still be much better than $2,500 if you give up after 6 months.
Many will give up on a whole diet after having just one chocolate biscuit. Why throw in the towel after one small misstep?
As long as we can continue our good habits consistently and are heading somewhat in the right direction that is more than good enough. Life won’t happen in a straight line or as you planned. Get used to that fact and don’t use that as an excuse to give up. Go easy on yourself and all you can do is your best to keep pushing forward. Don’t let failed goals stop you from doing your best. Goals are great to have as a guide and to help you understand what actions you need to take to get where you want to get, but don’t look at your goals as the be all and end all. Just be happy you are taking positive steps.
You will eventually reach your destination, even if it is a drunken stumble at 3am.
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