You may have heard that you should never give up on your goals, no matter what. That quitting is weakness. It’s easy to believe that you have to stick to long-term goals through thick and thin, regardless of the time it takes.
While persistence is an amazing skill and trait to have, the formula for success is not the same for everyone. In the event that plans aren’t working out and the goal isn’t what you want anymore, what do you do?
1. Assess your situation
Ask yourself if this goal is still something you want. Think back to your original intention. If the thought of it still energizes and excites some part of you, keep going. Are the obstacles as formidable as you’ve been thinking they are? Ask for honest outside perspectives and feedback.
Have you reflected deeply and found yourself out of allignment with your goals? Redirect yourself toward something more realistic and in-tune with what you want.
2. Make your tweaks
You don’t necessarily have to scrap your goal. After all, you’ve already put some hard work into it. Use what you have to shift gears instead of starting anew. Be resourceful, no efforts are wasted, so apply what you’ve already gained to your new projects.
Why abandon all the work you’ve done, when you can be carried by your momentum to keep advancing?
3. Find the courage
You must have felt, at some point, the disheartening disappointment that comes from having failed to achieve a goal that you were intent on. Just know that at the end of the day, goals are flexible. It takes strength to walk away.
Remember that priorities are always changing. Don’t feel bad about trying to do what’s best for you, but be honest – if you are changing your goals too often, something is unclear within. You should be planning your journey to guide you to a better life. Don’t settle for anything less.
