Are you burnt out and discouraged that you’re NOT making progress?
You’ve been working on your goals, getting started isn’t so hard anymore and you’re even building new habits. Great job!
But, now you have a new problem, your initial excitement is starting to fade. The reality that you need momentum to achieve your goal starts to set it.
Usually right before you can see real results that feeling of discouragement starts to creeps up on you. Not to mention that all this hard work has you dancing close to burn out. Yikes!
Do you feel like you’re not seeing results? Is the thought of giving up becoming more appealing? Do you wonder, “is any of this even really working?”
Maybe for you, you’re finding it difficult to stay motivated, gain momentum or follow through on your goals?
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Think of setting and achieving goals like riding a roller coaster – there will be ups followed by downs. When you set a new goal you’re climbing to the top, you’re super excited, running forwards because you cannot wait to achieve your dreams.
Then as you near the top and look over the edge, exhaustion hits you and you realize “Oh shit, that’s a HUGE drop.” That feeling as your stomach drops, as you fall into that first big dip is what it’s like to lose your motivation and momentum.
At this moment you can rush towards the next incline with your second wind of excitement, or stay stuck swaying at the bottom. You can wallow in “this is too hard, I can’t do this,” or you can get up with renewed energy and be ready for your next climb.
But, how do you do that exactly? How do you gain momentum over time, instead of losing it?
You Need to Review Your Progress
There’s one major aspect of achieving your goals that you’re likely forgetting about. You need to review your progress!
By reviewing your progress, you are unleashing your hidden powers of finding your focus faster and even failing your way forward.
In other words, you’ll be able to stay motivated and build momentum. And bonus, when you know what works you can get to your next win even faster. That’s a real, win-win situation for you.
This is Part 6, of a 6-Part Series on How to Actually Achieve Your Goals.
#GoalSlayerSeries breaks down the honest unfiltered truth about what it really takes to achieve your goals. Each post explores one major mindset shift that you need to make in order to become a Goal Slayer (aka someone who achieves their goals without apology or excuse).
Let’s complete the series, by learning how reviewing your progress helps you stay focused and follow through on your goals.
Review Your Progress As You Go
When you’re busy working to achieve your goals you can get tunnel vision. You’re so intensely focused on getting to the finish line that you never stop to take a breath.
You’re frantically doing this, trying every tip and trick you’ve heard about to help you reach your goals. Be warned, this is your fast lane to burn out, and no one is motivated when they’re KO’d.
- For example, you want a successful business, so you’re advertising, you’re marketing on Facebook, you’re implementing ten different strategies that you’ve heard will work.
- Or perhaps maybe you want to be healthy and lose a bit of weight, so you’ve been committed to just one method. You’re eating a Keto diet, day in day out, every meal.
- For myself, I wanted to build my blog traffic, and I was so committed to posting in Facebook groups daily to the point of exhaustion.
No matter your style, all or nothing, as the days and weeks roll on you’re motivation is starting to wear down and you’re becoming exhausted.
And when we’re discouraged, we start to give up and fall back into old habits. Old habits are comfortable especially when you’re burnt out.
Before you hit this breaking point, you need to rest and review your progress regularly – that means on a daily, weekly, and even monthly basis. Take time to ask the right reflection and review questions.
You need to take a breath and figure out what works, and what doesn’t.
Having this built-in feedback loop helps you not only find your focus but also fail your way forward if you need to.
Find Your Focus Faster
We can spend so much of our time and energy thinking about, planning, and fretting about having to put in the work required to reach our goals. Rarely do we ever just get it done.
Instead, we circle around taking action on what matters by procrastinating, planning it out over and over, talking about doing it, finding other things to do, allowing others and other things to use up our time and energy.
Raise your hand if you’re guilty of this, I know I am!
On the downward fall, we can get spooked, and following through can be a challenge, which is why we need to know how to makes things as easy as possible for ourselves to put in the time.
You want to remove every possible barrier to action. And you do that by knowing how you focus.
- How do you get out of your head and into the game?
- Do you know what works for you? What’s your “get-started” ritual? Do you need coffee and music?
- What distracts and destroys your productivity? Does getting a text or seeing an advertisement break your concentration?
You need to know, exactly what helps and hinders you.
If you’re not paying attention and consciously noting when you’re at your best or worst it’s hard to create optimized conditions for working on your goals.
Keep a journal, diary, or note in your planner all your good days and bad days.
Did you slack on your goal yesterday? That’s okay! You can learn from that too.
Fail Your Way Forward
Reviewing your progress also helps you to change your perspective on failure! If you can learn from failure (and you should), you’re able to see it as positive, not just “that thing” that happened that you’re trying your darndest to forget.
You’re thinking about it right now, aren’t you? That time you wasted you thought that a certain course would change your business? Just to realize you were off chasing another shiny object. Oh, wait that was me.
Failure is a good thing, mistakes are a good thing. Stop denying them and start owning them. Learn to laugh about it.
Every no, every mistake, every oh shit, every that didn’t work, every why did I just do that or waste months doing this, or that was a waste of time brings you one step closer to the solution.
“Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” – Henry Ford
You don’t set goals, get started and succeed all in one go. You act intently, make mistakes, make some progress, review how it went, and start again from a better vantage point.
Don’t leave valuable (and sometimes expensive) learning experiences in the past, carry them forward to help you.
Are you learning from your failures?
Forget Fear of Missing Out
Another side-effect of working on your goals intensely is FOMO (fear of missing out).
You’re strapped into the rollercoaster, and you see that incline and all of the sudden you start to wonder, “you know what that mary-go-round looks pretty appealing right now.” Or maybe you’d rather be in the lazy pool, less stress!
Especially when you’re exhausted, everything you’ve given upstarts calling you back.
No matter what your goal is you’re missing out on something to achieve it. Maybe that’s putting aside your TV time for work on goals time, or not eating junk food so you can be healthier. A sacrifice is always demanded.
But, when you’re reviewing your progress you’re also reminding yourself WHY you’ve set your goal. You’re able to see how your commitment is starting to pay off, even in tiniest of ways.
I remember when I decided to escape the 9-5, finances were the first thing I needed to get under control, so I stopped spending on things like daily Starbucks, buying clothing, and just splurging in general. But, when I was tired, feeling unmotivated I’d want to go out and eat.
However, when I take a moment to pause before exhaustion hit, to look at my accounts and see that I wasn’t in the red, that I’d saved some money, and for once my credit card bill wasn’t insane, that gave me the motivation to stay committed.
When you see that win and those results you would have otherwise not noticed, you’re able to forget your fear of missing out. And instead, double down on getting even more results because you’re also seeing what works best.
If you’re trying to eat healthily, you know to keep yourself feed and rested so you’re not hangry, and craving those donuts.
How can you forget FOMO?
How to Review Your Progress
We can spend a lot of time reviewing our goals and looking at how far we still are from our destination. But, do you spend just as much time reviewing yourself and what you’ve done?
Our goal isn’t changing, but our ability to achieve it does if you’re paying attention that is. Reviewing your progress is your performance-enhancing drug! It’s your cheat sheet, your self-made shortcut to success.
So, how do you review your progress?
There’s a time for formal reviews like reviewing your year and it’s a great idea to put down on paper how you’ve also been doing over the last month and quarter.
But you can do reviews on the fly anytime you’re feeling that downward dip feeling. When the mundanity of taking action starts to set in, that’s your signal that it’s time to spice things up a bit. To improve your performance, with a quick tune-up.
You’d be surprised as to what you can discover about yourself by just asking and answering a few simple questions.
Review Questions to Remember
Review your progress by asking reflection questions like:
- Are you a night owl or a morning person?
- What time do you work best or worst?
- How do you get motivated?
- What inspires you?
- What drains you, and what drives you?
- What’s your get started ritual?
- What are your distraction triggers?
- How do you get the best results?
- What are you doing that’s a waste of time?
- What helps or hinders your focus?
You may discover that you need to change your environment, that you’re more productive at certain times of the day, or that when you skip breakfast you’re not in the mood for your goals.
Be an anthropologist, investigate your habits, lifestyle, and routines. And then try something new if it’s not working.
Our emotions and health play a huge role in our ability to reach our goals. Don’t forget to also take care of yourself, stay hydrated, fed and get enough sleep.
Despite what you may feel like doing, burning yourself out being tunnel-visioned about your goals is NOT doing you any favors. If you’re tired and drained you need to rest and restore, and pace yourself.
It’s not a rush or a race, you need to go at your own pace – which you discover by knowing what works for you.
But you can’t make this adjustment to help you focus and follow-through, without reviewing your progress.
This weekend grab your journal or planner and do some reflecting. It gives you a chance to refresh, restore and revive your motivations.
Reviewing your progress also renews your confidence that you can actually do this, and that it’s working.
Don’t leave this motivation out, remember to take time for this one thing you’re missing.
RSVP to the FREE #GoalSlayer Masterclass
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Rest and review. The real R&R for goal slayers.
Get started, rest & review, repeat.
Start again, rest & review, repeat.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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That’s how you reach your goals!
Are you burnt out, discouraging and losing momentum to reach your goals? You're missing the ONE THING you need to do to help you focus on follow through. Click here to find out. #GoalSlayerSeries #GoalSetting #Success
How do you focus best to follow through?
Last Updated on July 11, 2021
Jeanette says
I took a psychology course many moons ago and will never forget what the professor said. He boasted about being a yearly guest on a very popular morning show to discuss meeting New Year goals. He said that most people set them, can’t meet them and then dip into failure related depression. Having a plan and definitely breaking the goals into pieces that are easier to accomplish sounds like a great way to be successful!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Jeanette,
Oh my… sounds so accurate though doesn’t it?
As much as I believe in having a plan to follow, I think being flexible and constantly aware of what works and what doesn’t is what really gets you to the finish line.
Sue Reddel says
Staying committed to your goals as an entrepreneur is key to success. Thanks for providing your tips on focus and follow through. I would add keeping your eyes and focus on what you’re doing not someone else. Comparison is a curse.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Sue,
I so agree with your commitment and staying power is where success is found. And knowing that what you’re doing is working helps us get there that much easier.
Comparison and watching the person in the lane beside you doesn’t help you get there at all!
Censie Sawyer says
I have always felt like March is a great time to get stuff done and really refocus on those goals that were set in the New Year. I need to focus on my long to do list for the next few weeks. Thank you for the motivation.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Censie,
March is the perfect month for that! I love April too, we’re just waking up to spring and shaking off the winter blues.
Try cutting down that list and instead focusing on the tasks that have the greatest impact.
Lambam says
Is always good to sly goals to success and it involves hard work and consistency and focus . Thank you for this amazing article 😘😘😘
Nadalie Bardo says
You’re quite welcome! <3
DD's blog says
Very helpful blog page, and this post is also refreshing and encourages on thinking…
Nadalie Bardo says
Glad you found it helpful! Enjoy the rest.
Marcel says
Thank you for this motivational post! In today’s world all you have to achieve is the final result and you have to do it fast. This is why people get burnt out so easily. Reviewing own work and stopping for a moment is very difficult but can actually improve your work. I’m definitely going to use your advice and hopefully always stay motivated 🙂🙏🏻
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Marcel,
It can so improve the work! I’m all for the regular times to rest and review. We need this to keep us moving. When we’re exhausted and burnt out we can’t keep going.
Luna S says
You brought up a lot of great points, and I agree it is easy to get burned out if you don’t stop to breathe and de-stress a little.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Luna,
Love me some de-stressing time! I know for a fact I would not get anywhere without them.
Catalina says
You are right! At some point of my way I feel insicure and demoralized. I need something that makes me go foward! I will try your advice next time. I will take a pause and I will try to review my progress. Thanks!
Nadalie Bardo says
I’m sure you’ll find it refreshing! It helps to address your insecurity because you can see just how far you’ve come and the results of your efforts.
Brittany says
Following through has always been my biggest struggle when I’m on a path to a healthier me. Hopefully this time I will stick to my guns and not back down!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Brittany,
Sometimes we have to back down or step back for a moment, so we can step forward! You got this, one week at a time. Push, then rest and review. Then go for it again!
Ann says
Great advice. For me, comparing mymyself to others is my weekness, and that’s where I loose focus. Definetly going back and reading the other parts to this post!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Ann,
I so know how you feel! Comparison is the thief of my joy way too often, which is why I pay ZERO attention to what everyone else is doing. Focus on you boo!
Juliet says
This sounds like a great series! I love focussing and productive planning to achieve my goals.
Juliet
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Juliet,
I hope you have a chance to check it out! This is the last post in the series. All about getting that rest and review.
AmberLynn says
Man! The finding your focus section really spoke to me. Sometimes I do so much focusing on what needs to be done, and I channel my energy into getting overwhelmed when I could just do it and be done. If I use that energy toward getting my goals accomplished, then I can save myself a lot of exhaustion. I often deal with this rollercoaster, and I definitely want off. I will try to implement these strategies and see how much better life gets.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey AmberLynn,
I so feel you on this! I get tunnel vision all the time, so speed-racer, going and going… but experience has taught me to build in regular rest periods to just breath and get my bearings.
I’m sure you’ll see improvements with regular rests and reviews. Feel free to lmk how it goes.
Monica Y says
Finding that focus and staying on track is so hard. I try to have someone that I can report to and that way I know I have to continue going. It is so easy to give up. I need to focus more.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Monica,
On its own focusing can be hard, which is why you need to instead think about creating the perfect environment for your focus. Ask yourself, what’s stopping me from focusing? What helps me? Then instead of worrying about getting more done, worry about making your surrounding more amenable.
gail says
I Love the concept of failing forward! That’s how we learn, we have to move to learn!
Nadalie Bardo says
Failing forward sounds great to me. It’s like falling down the stairs, it hurts but hey you still get there!
Karla says
Staying in focus is really hard for me, especially when there are a lot of thing needed to be done for the day. Thank you so much for the tips, it help me a lot! 🙂
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Karla,
I know it’s hard! Try focusing just on what matters the most. I know for myself that my to-do list can be crazy, but if I’m being brutally honest, only about half of those tasks are absolutely necessary.
Melanie says
So much thought provoking stuff to consider. I’m most productive in the morning, but my current schedule has things really focused on the end of the day. I need to switch things up so I can rock the mornings when I’m at my best. I also love reviewing your past to motivate yourself. I’m thankful that I write down where I’m at each month, so I can keep track of progress.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Melanie,
Glad your minds loving this one! Maybe it’s time to try and wake up a bit early and flip your schedule.
Love that you’re tracking and reviewing your progress, no question for you that you’ve made progress every month. You can literally just flip back and read it.
Aileen Adalid says
Ah, I get this all the time like when the excitement suddenly goes away! Haha, it really helps sometime to just sit back and be calm for a bit. It also helps to find avenues where you can pick up the inspiration again 😀 Great tips!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Aileen,
Ohhh yes, the honeymoon period ends QUICK with goals. I try to be calm at least once a week. Mostly Saturday-Sunday to just chill the heck out and then reposition myself to get back at it on Monday.
Tiara Conway says
Wow! Awesome read. I have set a few goals in 2018 and I said I would accomplish them. However it is easy to get discouraged. I think tracking your progress is so important. That way you can see that you are getting closer to the finish line despite the hardships that will occur during the process. I am determined to stay focused.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Tiara,
So glad you enjoyed it! That’s the thing! Everyone’s always like set goals… and then… we don’t follow through. I find that taking it week by week, push then rest is the way to go. You learn as you go and it becomes easier to go back to it.
You got this! Focus on what works, ignore everything else.
Amy Kennedy says
goodness, so much wisdom in stopping and being an “anthropologist” love that!
Great article! I signed up for your list on how to slay my goals too!
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Amy,
Haha, I thought someone would love my analogy, but real talks, we need to observe and report ourselves.
Maninder says
This is so helpful and such a detailed post! With all the distractions around sometimes it is so hard to stay focused.
Nadalie Bardo says
Distractions are the worst! Which is why for myself I more or less sensory deprive myself to get ish done. Noise canceling headphones on and just zero’d in on what I’m doing.
Elise Ho says
I always find so much value in your posts. They are well thought out and expressed so beautifully. Thank you for that. It is most helpful.
Nadalie Bardo says
Hello friend,
Thanks so much, I so appreciate the blog post love.
Natascha Cox says
Great post, it’s trye that it’s really hard to follow through especially when things aren’t going to plan and life gets in the way!
Great tips, thanks for sharing 😊
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Natasha,
Life is always getting in the way, and it always will. I find that accepting that and learning to work with the moments it gives you, much can be done.
What Lexie Loves says
Hi Nadalie – I just wanted to say thank you for this well-planned series; I have found your advice super helpful with starting up my Youtube channel – a big thing I’ve wanted to do for a while now<3
Lexie x
Nadalie Bardo says
Hey Lexie,
I’m so glad that you found it helpful! And congrats on your new YouTube channel, looking forward to checking it out!
<3
Nadalie
Samantha Perez says
Will there be a 2nd masterclass? I missed the first one. 🙁
Nadalie Bardo says
The #GoalSlayer Masterclass is on break until January, 2019. You can sign up for the ProPlanner on though. 😉