“Well, there’s always next year!”
More than a few people have thought this while looking at their 2020 goals and deeming them unattainable.
Others have decided their goals are still important – they may just need to change the methodology or timeline.
If you’re on the fence about your goals, I encourage you to focus on the following:
1. How far you’ve come.
Last month I sent my email community my Mid-Year Review + Renew worksheet inside our June newsletter. Pull that out again, paying particular attention to your responses in the “Review” section.
You have definitely grown this year!
Acknowledge and celebrate your growth, even if it looks different than expected.
2. The why behind your goal.
Maybe you, like me, had several speaking engagements booked for this year that have been cancelled or postponed.
Why did those engagements matter to you? Truly?
If it’s because you want to positively impact others’ lives, what are some alternative routes you can do that right now? If it’s because you want to share your research, add to your income, promote your book, or something else, ask yourself how you can still meet the ‘why’ even if the ‘how’ looks different.
3. Small victories.
One of my favorite ways to acknowledge small victories involves a bit of reverse engineering.
For example, I have a goal to run/walk a certain number of miles this year. If I focus on that year-end goal, I’ll likely feel exhausted before even taking a step.
Instead, I have broken it into quarterly, monthly, and weekly sub-goals. On any given day, I am only focused on where I am in relation to that week’s mileage goal. Much more doable!
4. ‘Mindset Shifters.’
In my bullet journal, I have a large list of what I call Mindset Shifters – various actions, tips, and ideas to lift me up when in a less-than-helpful mood.
I find it so beneficial to have ideas *outside of my head* from which to choose!
Your list could include reading a chapter in an engaging book, listening to an inspiring playlist, going for a walk, dancing, doodling, lighting your favorite scented candle… anything that lifts you up.
(Side note: Bullet journaling in and of itself can be a terrific Mindset Shifter! :-))
5. How you most want to feel.
This may sound ‘woo-woo’ but believe me, it’s powerful.
Consider how you most want to feel at the end of the year. Hold that feeling high, regularly asking yourself how you can begin to feel that way in this moment, too.
You can also decide how you want to feel today, or at this afternoon’s meeting, or for the next five minutes. Decide your chosen feeling, then decide what will help you experience it. Woo-woo or not, it’s a helpful practice!
And remember…
Yes, we’re in August, but we still have a lot of year left! And a lot of opportunity to progress toward our most meaningful goals.
We don’t know what the future holds, and we never have. But don’t let that stand in the way of your meaningful growth and purposeful change! Start where you are, envision where you want to be, adjust as needed, and consider the above focal points as you move onward and upward.
And if you’d like help figuring out your ideal vision and next best steps, contact me for coaching. Supporting you in achieving meaningful goals is one of my all-time favorite things to do!