{"id":11523,"date":"2012-09-30T21:36:28","date_gmt":"2012-10-01T05:36:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=11523"},"modified":"2015-05-26T20:43:23","modified_gmt":"2015-05-27T04:43:23","slug":"6-ways-to-keep-going-when-your-goal-seems-out-of-reach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/6-ways-to-keep-going-when-your-goal-seems-out-of-reach\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Ways To Keep Going When Your Goal Seems Out Of Reach"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

<\/a><\/p>\n

When you first get the big idea, you\u2019re excited. Maybe you\u2019re going to finally run that marathon, or write the Great American Novel, or spend the summer in France.<\/p>\n

Yay you! That excitement gets you through the early phase,<\/strong> whether it\u2019s running a couple miles a day, creating a detailed plot outline, or putting yourself on a strict budget and researching house-sitting opportunities in Paris.<\/p>\n

But somewhere around the time you can\u2019t seem to run ten miles without stopping, or you\u2019re struggling with chapter seven, or you\u2019ve spent so many nights home watching free shows on the Internet and eating Tuna Surprise you think you might poke your eyes out with a fork, you start having second thoughts.<\/p>\n

You wonder if it wouldn\u2019t be easier to give up your big idea and go back to your old life.<\/strong> One where your knees don\u2019t hurt, you don\u2019t care that your novel\u2019s characters aren\u2019t doing anything interesting, and you can afford to go out for dinner and a movie.<\/p>\n

How do you keep going when your goal seems as far off as another universe?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve hit what everyone hits \u2013 the motivation drain of the middle.<\/p>\n

Beginnings and endings are where the energy is. When you start something new you\u2019re pumped up, excited to get going. All the things you need to do to make your goal happen are new, and you take them on with joy and enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

Endings have their own energy surges. You\u2019re close to the finish line and can practically feel the relief at being done, plus the pride and happiness of getting the thing you\u2019ve been aiming for all that time.<\/p>\n

Middles are tough. They\u2019re where your enthusiasm flags, and you may be tired and lose sight of why you went after your big idea in the first place. The middle is where most people give up.<\/strong><\/p>\n

You don\u2019t have to. You just need to a) know you\u2019ll hit a slowdown, and b) give yourself strategies to get through it.<\/p>\n

Here are six you can use to keep going when your goal seems out of reach:<\/p>\n

1.<\/strong> Imagine yourself achieving your goal using all the senses<\/strong>. Smell the cool morning air the day of the marathon; feel your strong, toned muscles; picture yourself crossing the finish line; hear your friends and family cheering from the sidelines; taste the celebratory meal you\u2019ll have after. Visualization works.<\/a><\/p>\n

2.<\/strong> Remind yourself daily of the why<\/em> of your goal.<\/strong> How will you or your life be better after you\u2019ve achieved it? Maybe you\u2019ll be healthier, more disciplined, a published author, or fluent in French \u2013 whatever the benefits are, keep them at the front of your mind.<\/p>\n

3.<\/strong> Get support, especially from those who\u2019ve done what you\u2019re attempting. <\/strong>Join a runners or writers group, or get a friend to keep you accountable<\/a>. Interview someone who\u2019s lived in a foreign country and offer to send her a small gift for her time. Share your doubts and ask for advice or help.<\/p>\n

4.<\/strong> Act as if you haven\u2019t lost momentum<\/a>.<\/strong> Sure, you\u2019re cranky or tired, so fake it. Keep going anyway, knowing that each step gets you closer, even if it\u2019s hard or doesn\u2019t seem to be moving you forward. The bonus? Discipline is great for self-esteem. Taking on something big and making it happen is huge, and when your next big idea comes along you\u2019ll have this success to look back on.<\/p>\n

5.<\/strong> Take a day off.<\/strong> Rest, goof around, refresh and reenergize, and don\u2019t worry about your goal. One day won\u2019t slow you down, and it\u2019ll let you restart tomorrow with better energy and clearer perspective.<\/p>\n

6.<\/strong> Celebrate milestones along the way.<\/strong> You shouldn\u2019t have to wait until the very end for the big payoff, so build in mini-achievements and reward yourself when you hit them. Make a decadent dinner, buy that new book you\u2019ve been wanting, or spend a night in that sweet B&B one town over.<\/p>\n

Remember \u2013 middles are hard for everyone, so keep going. You can do this. Now get out there and be awesome!<\/p>\n

(As always, hit the share button if you found something useful.)<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

Special Opportunity for Pick the Brain Readers<\/p>\n

I\u2019m offering Pick the Brain readers a free online training event that teaches you how to add more focus, fun, and satisfaction to your life in just 10 minutes a day.<\/em><\/p>\n

This easy four-step process works, and after the training you\u2019ll:<\/em><\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>Add spice to your daily life, right away<\/em><\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>Feel more excited and energized than you have in ages<\/em><\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>Start getting the creative, independent, hugely satisfying life you deserve<\/em><\/p>\n

Drop off your email address at<\/em> Life on the High Wire<\/em><\/a> to sign up for free access. See you soon!<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, and one more thing \u2013 what tips do you have for staying motivated? Let us know in the comments!<\/strong><\/p>\n

DEONNE KAHLER writes at<\/em> Life on the High Wire<\/em><\/a>. She\u2019s also<\/em> mom to Sam the Wonder Pup and is obsessed with road tripping, national parks, and quirk.<\/em><\/p>\n

Photo credit<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You wonder if it wouldn\u2019t be easier to give up your big idea and go back to your old life. One where your knees don\u2019t hurt, you don\u2019t care that your novel\u2019s characters aren\u2019t doing anything interesting, and you can afford to go out for dinner and a movie.<\/p>\n

How do you keep going when your goal seems as far off as another universe? Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12163,"featured_media":11525,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[6],"tags":[2092,63,91,4631,66,4639,4629,4640],"yoast_head":"\n6 Ways To Keep Going When Your Goal Seems Out Of Reach<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Imagine yourself achieving your goal using all the senses. Smell the cool morning air the day of the marathon; feel your strong, toned muscles; picture yourself crossing the finish line; hear your friends and family cheering from the sidelines; taste the celebratory meal you\u2019ll have after. 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