Whew that’s quite a title isn’t it? And what a rather
specific one really. A lot of personal development or self help blog posts tend
to be a bit more general but I was in a very specific kind of mood today and I
wanted to get some thoughts out.
So I figured, why not publish them online? That way, if someone happens to be passing by this corner of the internet while chasing a big goal and they are having a down day, they might find some helpful advice here!
So I figured, why not publish them online? That way, if someone happens to be passing by this corner of the internet while chasing a big goal and they are having a down day, they might find some helpful advice here!
As you might guess, I’m feeling a bit down myself at the
moment and I do happen to be chasing a few big goals and well, these are some things
I think we should try to remember for moments like this.
Quick disclaimer: these are just my opinions and beliefs, these reminders help me on down days but they do not apply to every situation or every person and I absolutely do not claim that they do. My intention for this is simply to share what helps me in the hopes that it might help someone else going through something similar. Please take whatever resonates and leave the rest. Ok, on to the ramblings!
Quick disclaimer: these are just my opinions and beliefs, these reminders help me on down days but they do not apply to every situation or every person and I absolutely do not claim that they do. My intention for this is simply to share what helps me in the hopes that it might help someone else going through something similar. Please take whatever resonates and leave the rest. Ok, on to the ramblings!
Don’t Look Up
What I mean by this is, do not look up or forward or wherever
it is you look to figure out how much farther you have to go before you achieve
your goal. Don’t do it. When you’re feeling down, it’s only going to bring you
down further. It’s useless.
Right now, you’re in the trenches so to speak, and you need to keep your head down and focus on putting one foot in front of the other. One step forward, then another and another.
Don’t think of everything you still have to do or how far away your big dream/goal still seems to be. Just focus on pushing forward in whatever small way you can. It all counts, even the baby steps. Just focus on the work you have to do for the day, nothing more.
Right now, you’re in the trenches so to speak, and you need to keep your head down and focus on putting one foot in front of the other. One step forward, then another and another.
Don’t think of everything you still have to do or how far away your big dream/goal still seems to be. Just focus on pushing forward in whatever small way you can. It all counts, even the baby steps. Just focus on the work you have to do for the day, nothing more.
Do Look Behind You
Usually, dwelling on the past is not really helpful,
especially when you’re revisiting mistakes or embarrassing moments. When you’re
chasing a big goal though and you feel like you’re losing steam or the workload
has you feeling down, stop for a second and look behind you. Look at everything
you did manage to do.
All the assignments you did turn in, all the exams you did successfully ace (I use this example for any fellow doctoral students who might be where I am – starting a dissertation and feeling overwhelmed). Look at all your past successes, take a moment to celebrate them and let that strengthen your resolve.
You had moments of doubt before all of those victories, didn’t you? But you succeeded, you did it then and you can do it now. Keep going.
All the assignments you did turn in, all the exams you did successfully ace (I use this example for any fellow doctoral students who might be where I am – starting a dissertation and feeling overwhelmed). Look at all your past successes, take a moment to celebrate them and let that strengthen your resolve.
You had moments of doubt before all of those victories, didn’t you? But you succeeded, you did it then and you can do it now. Keep going.
You Are More Than
This Goal
As important as this particular goal may be to you, you have
to take a step away from it and remember that your self worth is not dictated
by this or any other goal.
Goals are wonderful things to have and achieving them feels great but you are so much more than just the sum of your goals. Believe in yourself, you do have what it takes to achieve this but it doesn’t have to define you.
You are a wonderful soul with so much to offer the world and your success or failure with this one goal does not and should not define you as a person. Don’t let it. It’s just one tiny aspect of your whole amazing being. Remember that and don’t let attainment of this one thing consume you.
Look outside your window. Listen to the birds chirping, the cars rushing by, the noise of the world. You’re alive and breathing and on a beautiful little planet, circling the sun. There’s more to your life than this one goal. Take a deep breath and let go of the negativity that’s weighing on your heart.
Goals are wonderful things to have and achieving them feels great but you are so much more than just the sum of your goals. Believe in yourself, you do have what it takes to achieve this but it doesn’t have to define you.
You are a wonderful soul with so much to offer the world and your success or failure with this one goal does not and should not define you as a person. Don’t let it. It’s just one tiny aspect of your whole amazing being. Remember that and don’t let attainment of this one thing consume you.
Look outside your window. Listen to the birds chirping, the cars rushing by, the noise of the world. You’re alive and breathing and on a beautiful little planet, circling the sun. There’s more to your life than this one goal. Take a deep breath and let go of the negativity that’s weighing on your heart.
And that's it! I honestly feel better having written this and I hope and pray, dear reader, that if you were having a down day, then you feel better having read this. Sending all the positive vibes to anyone who needs them today or any day. I'd love to know what your best reminders are for down days! Leave them in the comments below, if you'd like to share.
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