Sometimes, people may need to change the goal, the plan, or the strategy when it’s difficult to actually get things done. These options will help to not only refresh your mental space, they will increase the clarity on what you are working to accomplish and maximize the time that you have.
By Eboni Gee
We all have those moments where we feel like we’re spinning our wheels, putting in effort without seeing any real progress. Whether it’s a work project, a personal goal, or just trying to keep up with daily tasks, it can be frustrating and demotivating. These feelings can devolve, further creating self-doubt and shame if we don’t pay attention to them. It might be time to think about changing your approach.
1. The Benefits of Changing Your Goal
One of the most important things to consider when struggling to make progress is whether the goal is realistic and achievable. If you’re constantly falling short, it might be time to reassess whether the goal is too ambitious or not specific enough.
This doesn’t mean giving up or settling for less. It’s about making sure that you focus on something that’s achievable and meaningful. By taking the time to redefine the goal, you can regain a sense of direction and purpose, and feel motivated to keep working towards it. When something is purposeful and really matters to you, the intention behind the goal can carry you through to completion.
2. The Benefits of Changing Your Approach
Maybe you’ve been following the same approach for a while and it’s not working. In this case, it might be time to try a new tactic or change your approach altogether. Things are ever-changing and sometimes your current situation might be different than it was when you first started out. Keeping the plan current and relevant will help you to keep moving.
This type of change can be especially effective if you’re feeling stuck or stagnant. By trying something new, you can tap into creativity and problem-solving skills, and find a way to move forward. Even if the new approach doesn’t work perfectly, you’ll likely learn something valuable in the process. Learning what not to do has value, too.
3. The Benefits of Changing the Strategy
There are times when your strategy needs to be updated. Changing your plan involves changing the pattern of how you achieve your goal. Altering the strategy means that you need to switch up the design or blueprint of what you are doing. For example, if you love writing blogs but your ideation and editing time have changed, you need to find another way to create and share that fits into your current season, so you might start a podcast instead. Now, the strategy for the two methods vary, but moving to another option which allows you to continue to do what needs to be done while honoring where you are goes a long way. Creating systems to accompany your strategy will help you execute at a higher level.
Friction begins to happen when you force things, and that tends to affect multiple areas of your life. You want to have a strategy that flows with the course of your life and accent your strengths.
4. The Benefits of Letting Things Go
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we just can’t seem to make progress. In these cases, it can be helpful to consider whether the goal or task is really worth pursuing, or if it’s time to let it go. Things will run their course and we need to let them, no matter the outcome. It’s easier said than done, for sure.
This can be a difficult decision to make, especially if you’ve invested a lot of time and energy into something. But in the long run, letting go of something that’s not serving you can free up mental and emotional energy, and allow you to focus on more important priorities. Letting things go also makes room for more of what you really do want.
Getting things done can be challenging, but it’s important to remember that there’s no one “right” way to approach a task or goal. Plan time to regularly reflect and reassess what you are doing. When needed, consider changing your approach. Being in alignment with your intentions and goals can save you time.