And just like that, it’s the end of June. I’m not sure how, but this year seems to be flying by right before our very eyes. If you’re like me, you set goals for yourself about what you wanted to complete before the year ended. But if you’re also like me, you haven’t necessarily seen the results you expected. It can be demoralizing when you aren’t achieving your goals in the timeframe you desire, especially when you feel like you’ve given it your all. You may even be tempted to scrap your goals and plans altogether. But fear not - I’m here to help you understand that it’s not too late to reach those goals, and what steps you can take to make them a reality.
You may be asking, “How do you know it’s not too late for me? If my goals haven’t panned out these past couple of months, how much of a difference will the next half of the year be?” Great questions! But, let's keep the following in mind:
It’s Only June
July begins tomorrow - that means we are at the halfway mark of the year and that there’s still 6 whole months to go! There is a lot that can be done in a 6-month timeframe. Of course, if some of the goals are more long-term than short-term, then December may be too close of a deadline; however, you can still make great headway. Although it's important to understand that there's still time, how you use this time is what matters most.
You’re Reading This Post
Which means you haven't given up and still have the desire to reach your goals! This is crucial because it will serve as the push you need to take action. It may be discouraging that your goals have not been realized yet, but as long as you are still willing to work for it, all hope is not lost. The first step is acknowledging that you didn't do the needful, and the next step is figuring out how to rectify it - which is why we're here.
Goals Shouldn’t Be a Destination
A goal is something to work toward but it shouldn't be the be-all and end-all; it should be a stepping stone for greater things down the line. Life itself isn't a destination; it’s a constant learning process. This should help frame your mindset in a more positive light because as you knock those goals out, you will build a higher level of self-confidence to fulfill your goals, and others you will have down the line.
Looks Can Be Deceiving
In that sentiment, you should also understand that even though you set your goals and had an idea of what you wanted the outcome to be, it may not pan out in the way you expect. For example, you may have wanted to lose weight and expected your body to look a certain way. Even though it may not, you still met your goal and lost the weight. So don't let certain factors take away from your success.
Failure Does Not Have to Be Final
Failing is a part of life. It is what makes us stronger, builds our character, and teaches us a valuable life lesson - things don't always go as planned. That is the essence of this post - things didn't go the way you wanted, and that's okay. Even though you may have failed in reaching your goals, it doesn't make you a failure. A real failure is someone who gives up, and the fact that you're reading this post tells me that you aren’t. Never forget that.
“Okay, so how can I achieve my goals if nothing I've done so far has worked?? July is literally tomorrow and I feel like I’ve tried everything!” You’ve tried everything? Really? Well, even if that were true, in life, there is always room for growth. Let’s take a look at how some small tweaks can make a world of difference. It may mean adjusting the level of effort you put in, or changing the approaches you have implemented, but the idea here is to try something different. You'd be surprised at the results.
Evaluate Your Progress
Take a step back and actually assess where you are as of now with your goals. Have you even started yet or are you well on your way? Does progress look like 10% completed or 50%? Are there tangible results from your efforts or have no results been realized? Essentially, you want to make note of how far you have come so you can ascertain your new starting point, and then establish what needs to happen next.
Admit Your Faults
You don't want history to repeat itself. So, you need to pinpoint what has been hindering you from reaching your goals. Were you spending too much time in social settings? Were you eating out more than you should have? Or were you just plain procrastinating? You have to be honest with yourself because this list will be your first area to address if you want to accomplish your goals. Nothing worthwhile in life comes easy; it's going to take some sacrifice on your part.
Reprioritize Your List of Goals
As simple as it sounds, reprioritizing your goals can pay huge dividends. Sure, you could multitask, but it is extremely advantageous to focus on what’s most important first, rather than trying to work towards multiple things at once. To prioritize, you may choose to focus on what's more realistic in a 6-month time period, or even what would take the least amount of effort. Nonetheless, focus on what's at the top of the list first, and then work your way down.
Set Short-Term and Long-Term Goals
Another good idea would be determining which goals are short-term, and which are long-term. By short-term I mean in the next few weeks to a few months, and by long-term I mean several months to a year+. By categorizing your goals in this manner, you can rationalize what makes the most sense to pursue. By setting short-term and long-term goals, you can see what realistically can be done this year, and what may not come to pass until next year.
Make a Plan of Action
This plan should have a focus (your goal), action items to complete (steps to achieving your goal), dates in which you should complete the action items (accountability as you work on your goal), and what you need to execute the actions (resources needed to reach your goal). It will serve as your guide, and help you stay on track to meet your goals. But remember, you can plan from now until the end of time, but if you don't take the actual steps, it means nothing.
The moral of the story here is that you shouldn’t give up. Setting a big goal is easy, but making it happen is not. It would be a lot easier to just give up on the goals you set for yourself, but you don’t want to treat them like New Year’s resolutions. These goals are lifestyle changes and/or new ventures that will not only change your life now, but improve the quality of it in the future.
Trust me when I say I am also preaching to myself as I write this post because I also have goals I have not reached yet; so, I understand how you feel and what you're going through. But like I said before, the difference between you and an actual failure is you are making the decision to not give up. Never label yourself as a quitter, persevere when things get tough, and you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish by December. Good luck!
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