When you start working tirelessly toward a goal, you anticipate a result that is commensurate with the effort you are making. Yet, even after months have gone by and you are not where you wanted to be, it can break your spirit.
Maybe your business is not growing as much as you anticipated, or maybe you are seeing results in your weight loss or gain journey. Your motivation level at your lowest points is comparable to that of a marathon runner who is still having trouble passing other runners and moving forward.
It is during these desperate moments that it is tempting to wave the white flag, especially with self-doubt and negative chatter whispering in your ears.
There will be times when your efforts may seem pointless. Getting good results would seem like a distant fantasy. But, what most people don’t realize is that this is a part of the journey of growing as an individual. Keep reading this article to find out how to remain productive when you feel like giving up
1. You are not perfect; embrace it!
If someone tells you that they had no problems achieving their goal or that the journey was easy, they are either lying or they don’t have any goals at all.
Perfectionism and the idea that everything will work out along the way are fairy tales that will keep you from being the best version of yourself and ultimately leave you feeling aimless and disappointed.
You need to acknowledge that you, I, and everyone else have flaws before you can achieve your goals. You’ve accepted that your choices and actions are imperfect, and you should be ready to accept imperfect outcomes. Humans are built in such a way that they can improve by reflecting on their past errors.
When asked how he is so good at the sport, UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, who has never dropped a round or a fight in the organization’s history, said that he is imperfect during training and trains as hard as he can and makes a lot of mistakes, so that when the time comes for a match in the Octagon, he is prepared for anything that life throws at him.
Social media platforms have created a pseudo-reality that forces us to believe every success story ever posted on the platforms to be real. Recognize that life is imperfect and that getting good results in the real world requires a lot of failures before you can achieve the ideal outcomes you desire.
2. Focus on the Present Moment
Who doesn’t want to make six figures and have a toned body? I can understand your desire for both. But these are outcome-oriented goals that aren’t completely in your control. However, you have some control over how you get to those prisons. When you feel like giving up, remember that focusing on the process keeps you in the present moment instead of creating numerous hypothetical “what ifs” about your future in your mind.
Since you are the master of your actions, you have complete control over the process of achieving your goal. For instance, you can maintain good mental health by avoiding people, things, or activities that can negatively impact your mental health. You can also reduce your daily caloric intake to lose weight. You need to focus more on what you are doing than on a specific accomplishment.
3. Surround Yourself with Positive Support
Whether your goal is to gain financial stability or learn a new skill, you need to spend more time with those who can help you get there.
The answer you seek is always inside of you, but getting there requires a guiding force that can direct you in the right direction. You eventually start to think, act, and view the world through the eyes of the people you spend the most time with.
The clock never stops, so only devote your time to those who motivate and develop you personally. Avoid spending it with those who make you feel less than stellar.
4. Focus on the long-term goal.
Playing for a long-term goal is a great asset. We live in a time when headline-grabbing overnight successes and transformations are commonplace. Due to the overnight success stories and pyramid schemes spread through social media, millions of people now believe things like, “I can become wealthy if I follow this path” or “I can lose weight if I starve myself to death like my favorite celebrity.” Let’s face it, most of us have forgotten how to be normal and realistic in our pursuit of greatness.
Playing a short-term game leads to unrealistic expectations of yourself along with unnecessary levels of stress. Both of these lead to burning out and other potential health issues. Always aim for incremental progress each day, and this will create a massive change in the long term.
Closing Thoughts
Remember when you just feel like giving up, No one is granted immunity from having doubts and feeling overwhelmed at times throughout their business health or any other endeavor. Comparing yourself to others is a joy thief, so whenever you feel like you are not getting the results you were hoping for, ask yourself: “Am I doing better today than I was at the beginning of my journey?” If the answer is yes, then you are moving in the right direction.