Cup of Inspiration

We are midway through February. Time is flying by. Are we already so far into 2024?

When life gets busy, it can be quite easy for us to lose track of any goals we have set. Did you make any New Year resolutions for 2024? If so, are you still holding on to them? Have you made progress toward that goal weight? Where are you on your game plan to get that promotion? Are you still at the job that you swore you would leave this year?

If you are still on track, great! Keep it up. If you have not, it is okay. When we set goals in our life, it is important that we keep several things in mind.

First, it is important to stay flexible. Businesses will reassess over time where they should focus their resources. Projects are reviewed to see if they are still on track. They evaluate the returns on investment to make decisions on future direction. Modern technologies and consumer trends demand companies to continue looking at their business plans and adjust when necessary. We should do the same in our lives. Just like we are seeing AI create disruption in different industries, we all have disrupters that impact our goals and plans. Do not let a disruption make you give up. Step back, reevaluate the situation, and make course corrections.

Second, forgiveness is paramount. We can often be our own worst critic. We set a goal to lose twenty pounds, but a recent trip to the scale shows a 5-pound gain. It can be too easy to beat up on yourself. However, the more you internally scream at yourself for failing to go in the desired direction, the less likely you will turn course. Eventually, you give up on the goal because it just seems futile. Remember that tomorrow is another day. Evaluate why you are not going in the direction you would like, then just move forward tomorrow. Do not keep beating yourself up for regressing. Instead use that energy toward making progress.

Third, keep the reason behind a goal in mind. You set a goal to lose twenty pounds this year. Why did you set that goal? Was it so you could be healthier? So, you could have more energy? So, you could reduce your chances of developing certain diseases, because you want to have more time with your loved ones? Remember that when you are thinking about admitting defeat. Whatever goal you have set, keep in mind the reason you set that goal. Even if you change the plan, let the reasoning behind that goal be the motivation to keep moving forward.

If you set a goal to lose weight, and you are on track, keep it up. If you are on track to landing that promotion at work, fantastic. If you are still on schedule for starting up that business, splendid work.

However, if you are struggling with losing those pounds, do not feel disheartened. If you have been impacted by one of the reason layoffs taking place in companies, do not let that keep you from moving forward in your career dreams. If your business idea is still just an idea, it is okay. Step back and evaluate where you are. Take another look at your plans and make the necessary adjustments. Do not waste energy on beating yourself up, spend that energy focusing on the future. When it seems hopeless, keep remembering why you set that goal in the first place. Remember, there are people out there who will help you along the way. You just must be willing to accept that help.