We’re all working toward our own goals. We’re devoting our time, energy, and passion to achieve a specific result. Maybe it’s a personal goal like losing weight or training for a marathon. Or perhaps it’s a professional goal such as getting a promotion or starting your own business. So, what do you do when you realize you’re not as driven to achieve a goal as you once were? When all of a sudden it becomes clear to you that you no longer desire the one thing you’ve been striving to achieve all this time.
Signs Your Goal Has Changed
Our likes, dislikes, and interests shift over time, so naturally our goals and aspirations will change, too. If the excitement surrounding your goal has faded, or if you begin to dread the work required to accomplish your goal, you should take some time to reevaluate your goals. Maybe you set a certain goal not because you were really committed to achieving it, but instead because you felt you had to. Perhaps there are other areas of interest that excite or interest you more than what you’re currently working toward.
Luckily, it is always possible to alter your current path should you find that your goals have changed. In situations where you are unhappy with your current career or you find that you no longer have the drive needed to succeed in your industry, look into alternatives. Nursing, for example, is a rapidly expanding industry with lots of room for growth. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing would give you the chance to get started as a nurse, which opens you up to all kinds of opportunities within the field. Sometimes, all you need to give yourself a kick-start is a new set of goals.
Changing Your Mind vs. Quitting
It’s important to recognize the difference between changing your mind or changing your direction, and quitting all together. Quitting is giving up when something feels too difficult. Changing your mind is being honest with yourself about what you truly desire. It’s knowing when something is not the right fit, and being able to trust your intuition.
It’s a good idea to evaluate your goals on a regular basis. Ask yourself if you are still interested in your original goal and if it is still important to you. Assess if you have the time and commitment level to accomplish your goal. Also, check in with yourself about what might be holding you back. Giving up on a goal due to fear is different from intuitively knowing when your goals have changed or the time isn’t right.
Consider Putting Your Goal on Hold
Consider putting your goal on hold. Just because it isn’t the right fit for you now doesn’t mean you need to cross it off your list for good. Follow your instincts and the path that feels right to you. When you remain true to yourself everything will fall into place. When the time is right you will be able to give your goal the time and attention it deserves.
Focus on the Process Rather Than the Goal
Sometimes when we focus too sharply on the outcome of our goal, we fall prey to feeling overwhelmed and stressed. These emotions can weigh us down and stall our progress. However, by placing a focus on our everyday process, we’re able to keep things simple and straightforward rather than sucumbing to stress and anxiety over the overall outcome. For example, if all you are training for a marathon and all you can think about is wondering how you’re going to be able to run 26 miles, you’ll feel stressed. However, if you simply focus on each training run and following your plan, you’ll be on the right path to reach your goal. Focusing on the day to day process will help to alleviate the weight and pressure of the overall goal.
Goals can and will change, and that’s to be expected. After all, since our experiences and journey shape our dreams and interests, and they are bound to change our goals over time as well. While it can be hard to accept change, especially when you’ve worked so hard for a particular dream, in the end in can be a positive thing. It’s proof we are growing and improving.
Have you ever set a goal and then changed your mind?
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