How many times have you become inspired to do, be or have something, only to give up on that pursuit before you even start?

You love the idea of achieving your new found desire, however, once you start to process the amount of time, energy and effort it will take to reach, you abandon ship altogether.

I, for example, have always wanted to complete a particular ‘12 week bikini body’ workout program I have heard so much about. I was pumped after seeing all the transformation pictures, reading the testimonials and seeing the inciting bonuses (tshirt, water bottle, wristband) you get when you sign up. I was so pumped in fact, that I purchased the $170 program right then and there.

Sitting in front of my laptop, I started reading the exhausting step by step exercise routine I would have to do 3 times a week. I glanced at the new eating plan I would have to follow, which was filled with foods I didn’t like and none of the food I did like.

I spent the next 30 minutes scrolling through Instagram comments highlighting how hard each workout would be – and all of a sudden, the motivation and excitement I had to complete the program began to whither away.

Within an hour of purchasing the program, I had psyched myself out to the point of never even stepping into the gym once.

Why do I tell you this?

I know for a fact you have gone through a similar situation before, it may not have been exercise related, however, you’ve set a goal to do or achieve something – only to not even start once you have understood just how much time, energy and effort achieving that goal would take.

So, how do you overcome this challenge?

1. Find your WHY behind your goal

The first step to ensuring you actually stick to your goals is making sure this goal is ultimately what YOU want. A lot of the time we think we want to be, have or do a certain thing but really it’s just someone else’s goal that sounds good or it’s societies way of conditioning us.

Let me explain, you may think that having the goal to move up in rank for the company you work at is a great goal, however, you actually visualize yourself opening your own business doing something completely different. You will never do what it takes to reach the goal of CEO in the company you currently work for if that position is not what you truly want in life.

Goals set from your WHY are extremely powerful. Your WHY is that emotion and reasoning deep down that forces you to persevere in adversity. You will often find yourself overcoming obstacles with ease and continually having the inspiration to move forward if your goal comes from a place of an absolute burning desire.

To understand your WHY better, watch this TedTALK by Simon Sinek…

2. Take each day as it comes and focus on what you can do NOW

Start living in the NOW. Focus all your efforts on what you can do to reach your goal today, instead of thinking about all the work and time you need to invest in the future.

For example, if your goal is around fitness – push yourself 110% during todays workout. Be present in the gym right now and stop thinking about the workouts left in this week and begin taking it easy thinking you will put more effort in tomorrow. Do that extra set, run that extra mile and lift that little bit more TODAY.

If your goal is work related – do that little bit more TODAY that most wouldn’t. Make 10 extra sales calls, complete those last 2 tasks on your ‘to do list’, start that project you keep putting off you know you have to do.

By focusing on what you can achieve today and putting that little bit extra effort in – you set yourself up for success and propel your efforts to reach your goal quicker.

3. Split your goal into bite sized chunks

You know what your overall goal is, now break it down into smaller, more manageable sized tasks. Often we become overwhelmed by the enormity of our goal and it paralyses us from taking any progressive action.

The solution to this self sabotage is to set smaller, more achievable goals that lead you in the direction of your desired outcome.

What sounds more doable? Writing one chapter or writing and completing an entire book?

What steps have you found to help you achieve your goals?

Share them with us! 🙂