The Struggle with Achieving Goals
Have you ever set out to achieve your most desired goals in life, like losing weight, relaxing more, eating better, spending more time with family, getting ahead in business, (the list is endless) and you just couldn’t achieve your goals? Or maybe you were successful but quickly reverted to where you started? Or worse yet, you suffered one too many setbacks and ended up even further from your goals?
This kind of progress, lack of progress or backsliding can make us feel like a failure, and even as if what we want is totally out of reach.
The Allure of SMART Goals
Modern goal setting practices tell us we should set goals for ourselves that are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timed). If we take a pragmatic approach and do it well, this can be a great way to achieve our goals. I did this and I had great success with weight loss, fitness, and a thriving personal training business. Then life threw me a monkey wrench.
When Life Throws Curveballs
I struggled to keep my business partner’s drama separate from my life. I dodged that first curve relatively well, but after compounded challenges (the pandemic being a major factor) and further challenges with a neighbouring business, I was no longer resiliently bouncing back. The cracks were starting to show, and I was clearly struggling with my health again, mental and physical.
The Difference Between Then and Now
While initially getting to my goals was hard and sometimes a struggle, for the most part, it was fun. So why did it seem so much harder to get back up and do it all over again? After all, I had done it before. I had even guided many clients successfully to reach their goals. What was different for me this time?
The problem was, I wasn’t in love with the process. I was still infatuated with my former success (the goals, if you would). Let’s face it, the daily grind of maintaining the status quo is not as exciting as the constant measurable progress when chasing a goal. I have since changed my approach, a shift in technique, that is allowing me to progress again.
Shifting Focus: Falling in Love with the Process
So, what am I doing now? I’m teaching myself to fall in love with the habits I want to create. I have no emphasis on the end right now. The only thing I’m focussing on is repeatedly creating a habit that I know will get me where I’m going. I’m doing the boring thing. I’m repeating it. I’m not focussed on the result. I know invariably there will be a positive result, but it’s not my current focus. I’m just getting good at repeating the thing that will create the human that I want to be. I’m learning to love the journey.
Find Joy in New Habits
Fall in love with the habits, not with the goals! By shifting your focus from the end result to the daily practices that move you forward, you empower yourself to find joy in the journey. Each small, consistent action you take builds momentum and resilience, making the process itself rewarding. This mindset not only helps in achieving your goals but also in sustaining them. Embrace the power of habits, and you’ll discover that success is not just about reaching the destination but also about who you become along the way.
Until next time… ~ Breathe ~ Move ~ Unwind ~
