If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to start on your goals, this post is for you! Even better, I can tell you the perfect time is today!
Each of us has at least one big dream. It’s often our purpose, whether we realize it or not in the very beginning. It’s the one thing we keep coming back to in our minds.
Sadly, many of those dreams never become fulfilled. It’s not because you don’t have the talent or the resources, but likely because of your mindset!
Your mindset is such a powerful tool. It can be a negative or positive resource in our toolkit – and each of us hold the power to switch it to either end. We have to trust ourselves and believe that we can accomplish our goal, and have a strong why for wanting to achieve it.
Often, all it takes is a leap of faith to just begin. Once we start, we realize that it’s possible. We can, and will, make our dreams a reality.
During this post, I’m going to walk you through four popular tendencies for why we don’t get started on our goals – as well as some good reminders and ways to work through each of those to achieve our goals.
Popular Tendencies for Not Getting Started on Goals
There are various reasons why we don’t allow ourselves to realize our full potential and take action on our goals. It’s likely unique to each person.
I’m going to share with you some generally popular tendencies as to why we don’t start on our goals.
If you haven’t started on a goal that you’ve been dreaming of, please take a moment to see which one(s) you identify with.
1. You tend to make things seem more difficult than they actually are.
When we look at our goals, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. No matter what that goal is, if you’re brand new at it, you probably have a lot of information being thrown at you.
You have to take that information and piece it together to create an action-packed plan to making that goal achievable. Once you take time to create a plan, or as I like to call it, a roadmap to your dream destination, then I have a feeling you’ll be less overwhelmed.
Things usually aren’t as difficult as our minds make them out to be. Our brain is busy trying to protect us (a.k.a. hold us back!) from the unknown, so it makes us not want to try.
Don’t allow that to happen. Feed your mindset good, peaceful, positive thoughts and remember the following when you start thinking it’s going to be too difficult:
You can do hard things. Even if your worst case scenario happens and it is super difficult to achieve your goal – you can do it!
A good friend once told me, ‘anything worth having is worth working for.’ I’ve always found that to be true. The things that we want most do take hard work. Don’t look for the easy way out – you’ll never reach your dream destination if you do that. You’ll only find disappointment.
What you can do to make the process smoother is to plan out each step you’ll need to take to achieve your goal. Then break those steps into smaller, more manageable steps. You’ll be able to tick off each step as you go, and literally see the progress before your eyes.
2. You are so afraid of making a mistake (or failing entirely!) that you decide it’s best not to even try.
The fear of failure is real, my friend!
Before I continue, I will admit that I am afraid just like you are. I have struggled with not getting started on my goals before, and I have worried myself sick about making mistakes on new things. I promise you, I do get it! Allowing that fear to control my life has never once served me well. That’s precisely why I’m here giving you advice about it today that I believe will help you with this struggle.
Mistakes or failures will happen throughout your journey. Much of what we learn is by trial and error – and that’s okay!
Every time I have failed, and there have been many and will be many more times, I can tell you that I have gained something from it. In fact, some of those failures helped me get even closer to my goals. You’ve probably heard that ‘the comeback is stronger than the setback’ before, and it is so true.
The important thing to remember is this:
Mistakes are inevitable. Don’t give up. Instead, use those moments as stepping stones underneath your beautiful feet to make big things happen. They are going to make your victories, both big and small, so much more powerful.
Plus, you’ll have a story to share with others and it will be a teachable moment for them, too.
How great is that?
Think of it as giving back to others, and offering them help with something you’ve struggled with in the past. You’ll be the person they’ll listen to and you will give them hope because they know that you’ve been through it personally.
3. You allow yourself to be talked out of beginning a goal by someone else.
Have you ever been dead-set on starting something until you told someone about it? They had a negative response, so you didn’t even get started? How sad!
As a people-pleaser, I can relate to wanting others to be on board with what I want to accomplish. This blog being the biggest one. I don’t just want it to be a hobby or a side hustle, I want it to be a business!
With that being said, not everyone gets it. I’ve learned over time that this is okay because it’s important to me and I know that I can make it happen. Most mean well and are supportive, regardless if they totally understand it or not. However, I realize that some people can be toxic and I’m sure you’ve encountered some of those.
It’s more than okay to tell someone how you’re feeling and what you want to accomplish. However, it crosses a line when you give them the power to persuade you into thinking…
- You’re not good enough
- You can’t do this
- This is a dumb idea
If any of this sounds familiar, I am so sorry to you on their behalf because they are unsupportive (and rude) and you truly don’t need those people in your corner.
The key takeaway to remember is this:
Don’t allow someone else to make decisions for you, or give them the power to persuade you into thinking that you’re not good enough or that your idea isn’t worthy. You can send them a postcard from your dream destination when you get there. They’ll still be in the same place.
I can promise you that if you continue to allow others to control your life, you will live a life full of regrets.
Only you have the power to make the choices that are right for you, don’t let that power go. Those that are in your circle that love you and support you will always rally together for you. As for the others, you can still love them without taking their ‘advice.’
4. You don’t have time to work on your goal, or you’re waiting on the perfect time to get started.
I can tell you the perfect time to start on your goals, it’s even in the title of this blog post: it’s today!
Better yet, it’s right this very minute (or maybe a few minutes, so you can finish this post 😉 ).
Sometimes we get caught up in thinking that there has to be a perfect time to start on a goal. A good example is January 1st. We spend December thinking about our New Years Resolutions, but we don’t want to start working on them until January 1st.
I’m channeling my inner Lara Casey here, what’s so special about January 1st?
Imagine the progress you would have if you started on your goals as soon as you set them and made a plan to achieve them? Your results would be fantastic!
Just from December 1st to January 1st, I can guarantee that you would have some great progress to share within that one month!
On the flipside, if you are convinced you don’t have time to work on your goals:
I want you to remember there is always time. I understand it may not always be ideal….late nights, early mornings, lunch breaks, etc. If you truly want to accomplish a goal, you will find the time to devote to it.
Making our dreams come true takes sacrifice via our time and efforts, but they are always worth it if it’s something we’re really passionate about.
I truly hope that this post has encouraged you that the perfect time to start your goals is today, and not to allow anything (or anyone!) to stand in your way.
My wish for you is to believe in yourself so much that you put together a roadmap that heads straight to your dream goal, and know that with each smaller, more manageable step, you’re going to get that much closer to achieving that goal.
If you found this post helpful, I would appreciate more than I can express if you would share it! ❤️
Let’s Chat!
Which of the four tendencies did you identify with the most?
Have you ever allowed someone to talk you out of pursuing your goals?
What would like to see me write about next? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
These are nice points
http://www.melodyjacob.com
Thank you, Melody! I appreciate you reading! 🙂
This really hit! With everything that’s going on, I feel like my dreams are never going to happen.
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
Hang in there, friend, I know so many big things are going to happen for you! I have absolutely doubt about it. Just try to keep faith that everything is going to work out. Keep working on your goals and I know all of your dreams are going to come true! 🙂
Very good inspirations ❤
Thank you so much, Kinga! ❤
Have a good day ❤
Aww, thank you, Kinga! You too! ❤
This all so very true!! There never is a perfect timing and today is always the perfect day to start them!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Thank you so much, Rach!! 🙂
This is such a great post, and I can totally relate to all these points!
I used to be absolutely terrified of ‘failing’ or ‘making a mistake’ until I changed the terminology and called it “research”, and it’s amazing how just a small change in the “name” I gave something changed how I felt about it!
I’m still working on number 4 though!
Julia x
https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
Thank you so much, Julia! I love that terminology change!! It’s amazing how changing a word can completely change your perspective about it. You will conquer #4, my friend, I have no doubt! 🙂
1,2 and 4 for sure. A little bit of number 3, too.
This was a great post that really got me thinking about my goals and what I could do to start working towards them.
I’m so happy you found it helpful, Pinja! Let me know if there’s anything else I can do to help. 🙂
The second one is so me.
I’m so afraid to fail so sometimes I prefer to not start my goal.
But it’s so true we should always remember failures are ok and always a good thing to make us improve.
Thanks for this really useful article.
xx
Margot
https://troughthepasturesofthesky.com
Aww, thank you so much for reading, Margot! I’m so happy you found it helpful. I know it’s hard to push past the fear, but you are going to go to so many bright, beautiful places once you do. I have faith in you! 🙂
Usually I’m just too lazy to set up goals. Never let yourself be talked out by somebody else, if you have a certain idea just carry on and do it.
xx Simone
Little Glittery Box
You’ve got this, Simone! 🙂 You are so right, it is never worth it to let someone else talk you out of something you’re passionate about.
Yes if not now when, you make some very valid points. I went to a very strict design school for graphics and I really learned how to be disciplined and organized and how to prioritize. This has been serving me well.
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Thank you so much! That’s wonderful, Allie! Even though it can be difficult to get through at the time, it’s great how some things can be so positive and you can carry them with you throughout life. Those types of things really help to create a solid foundation.
These are all so on point! Not only do I make things more difficult than they need to be but I overthink everything too lol xx
Benefits of Vegan Skincare | Vegan Fashion + Lifestyle Blog
Aww, thank you, friend! I’m totally with you, haha! I am a constant overthinker, but it has never once served me well. It’s a hard habit to break, for sure!
I absolutely love this post! We really do get in the way of our own goals. I really limit myself by being terrified of making mistakes! My music professor told me that was one of the biggest problems with my work! These are such great tips <3
Jill
https://jilliancecilia.com/
Aww, thank you so much, Jill! I’m so happy you loved it! We sure do, and often times, we don’t even realize it’s within our control to fix. I can definitely relate. Just remember how amazing you are and that everything is going to be okay, mistake or no mistake – you are still going to rock! 🙂
This really hit me, I’ve actually made the decision during lockdown to stop waiting for purpose to come to me and I’ve decided to go ahead and find it myself so I’ve enrolled on a university course for counselling skills to get me started. I’ve also started studying to get a head start on it.
Oh my goodness, that is a fantastic decision!! I’m so proud of you and I know you are going to do great! 🙂 Getting ahead is such a wonderful idea, it will always serve you well to be well-prepared!
This is such good advice- there’s no time like the present!
Happy Tuesday, babe!
Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Thank you so much, Ashley. You are exactly right! 🙂
All the tendencies described are spot on! I feel attacked haha.
Lovely post and blog.
http://www.desiringsme.com/upgrading-routines-quarantine/
Haha, don’t feel attacked, my friend! I can relate to many of these as well. The great thing is that we can always work on what we are struggling with and make things better! 🙂 Thank you so much!
What a motivating post! I agree that now is the time. We all have to face our fear of failure and jump in. That’s what’s I try to do. I hope this post pushes many towards a new journey.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Aww, thank you so much, friend! You are so right, it’s better to just take the plunge and work through it. Then we realize things aren’t as scary as we once thought they were. If this post could do that for even just one person, that would SO wonderful!
I’m guilty sometimes!! There are days when I feel like I’m so lazy and there are days when I feel like I’m so productive. Today, everyday is actually the day to be productive especially in this time of pandemic. Thanks for sharing this post!
xoxo,
SHAIRA
Blog: http://www.missdream-girl.blogspot.com
Me too, Shaira! We all have those times. Plus, it’s important to remember we do need our rest and self care, too. Thank you so much for reading! 🙂
You are so right! And I have eliminated people from my life who say I support your goals but… You are good at this but you are not good at that Sorry this is what I call fake support. Making someone feel like a failure is not okay Anxiety kicks in and everything is lost it is then followed by depression and trust me people feel like they are a failure indeed. Once you shut the noise follow your heart and you will see so much clear and be so much happier. Love this post xoxo Cris
http://www.photosbycris.com.au/?p=6040
I love that you’ve created those healthy boundaries! It’s such a tough thing to do, as it’s often people who are the closest to us that tear us down. I think most of the time it’s unintentional, but still very unhealthy for us. Fake support is a very good phrase for it. Thanks so much for reading my post, Cris, I truly appreciate it! 🙂
You got it all right. Making thing things look more difficult than they all are. Honestly, it might actually be difficult but of what use or profit will it profit us if we keep adding more task and difficult thoughts to it.
https://www.melodyjacob.com/2020/05/which-is-best-chandelier-light-for-my.html
I love this, Melody! You are so right. Nothing we want is ever easy, and is often very difficult to achieve – but it’s oh-so worth it!
These are great tips! If we wait for the perfect time for things it will never arrive!
Hope you are having a great weekend 🙂 We aren’t doing much, staying home and staying warm with that cold winter weather that’s here!
Thank you, Mica! You are absolutely right!
Oh my, I hope you’re staying cozy! It’s our spring here in Ohio, so we are trying to stay cool, haha.
I’m usually great at staying on top of my goals, but the current issues have really been bringing me down. Hopefully life will return back to normal soon, I need to get my motivation back ASAP!
Ashlee | https://www.maybeafterbrunch.com
That’s totally understandable, friend! This is something none of us has ever experienced before and it certainly makes it more difficult. I have no doubt you’ll get that motivation back and accomplish all of your goals! 🙂
That is actually so so true!! I’ve been putting the same excuses for not taking that seriously my goals…
Thanks for reminding it to me!
xx
Eli
Aww, thank you so much for reading, Eli! I appreciate you! I know you can accomplish absolutely anything you set your mind to. 🙂
Fear is a big one… it always tries to keep you in your comfort zone. When we step out of it that’s when things begin to happen.
http://www.fashionradi.com
That’s right, Radi! Often times, if we just take a little baby step, it’s enough to make us realize things aren’t as scary as we thought.
Great post! It’s great food for thought, we deffo have to make the most of every day xo
Makeup Muddle
Thank you so much, Gemma! 🙂
Great tips, goals are so important to have and follow through on! x ~Zia
http://www.thehuntercollector.com
Absolutely, Zia! 🙂
I totally agree with you!!
https://julesonthemoon.com/
Aww, thank you so much, Jules!
Number one is probably me all the way. The battle is all in the mind, but with each day I’m getting there by the grace of God. Thanks much for the pick up with this post. Good one!!
https://missymayification.co.uk
I love that, Missy! Same here. I wouldn’t be able to make it without God, and would never want to try. Thank you so much for reading, friend! 🙂
What a great message that you are sending out with this post. Thank you for the inspiration!
Life is a Shoe
Thank you so much for your kind words, Celyn, and for reading! 🙂
The fear of making a mistake can be huge!! With any creative projects, blogging, photography, drawing, content creation. You can only improve by doing it and developing.
http://www.georginahart.co.uk
Yes, you are spot on, Georgina! 🙂