How to stop feeling depressed because of the lack of progress in achieving goals
Have you ever had a situation where you set a goal for yourself and started moving towards it, but after a while, you feel like you’re standing still? You’re trying, but you can’t see any progress, and it’s starting to depress you. Many people face similar feelings when it seems that efforts are not yielding results.
However, it is essential to remember that the lack of visible progress is not the end of the road but rather a natural part of the process. Sometimes, we need to rethink our approaches, give ourselves time, or learn to notice the small victories that lead to a big goal. Here’s what you should do to stop feeling depressed and start moving forward, even if nothing seems to be changing.
Understand the reason for the lack of progress
First, let’s figure out why you’re not moving forward. What exactly is stopping you? Is it procrastination or lack of a clear plan? Or is it the external circumstances that you can’t control? Depending on the reason, your next actions will be different.
For example, you want to write a book, but there is almost no progress. You realize that you don’t have enough inspiration, and working on a text at your usual workplace doesn’t seem very exciting. Or, let’s say you’ve been dreaming of starting your own business for a long time, but you’re stuck at the planning stage.
You realize that you don’t have enough support because there are so many nuances in starting your business, from legal issues to finances, and you just get lost in this flow of information. Take a piece of paper and write down what exactly is slowing you down. What is your goal? Why can’t you move?
It’s okay if you’re faced with a lack of progress — it happens to everyone. The main thing is to understand the reason and start working on it. Realize that life is not a straight path and that it is normal to face difficulties. When we set goals for ourselves, we often expect everything to go smoothly, but life doesn’t always work that way.
There are often obstacles along the way, including a lack of money, inadequate support, and time-consuming daily chores. The bigger the goal, the more obstacles there are. There are also things that we cannot control, such as illnesses of loved ones, family obligations, or health problems. It is essential to remember that achieving goals is often accompanied by challenges and obstacles. Sometimes, there is a period of calm when it seems that nothing is changing, and this is normal.
And remember: what you see on social media is just the tip of the iceberg. People show only the best moments of their lives, creating the illusion that everything is perfect for them. Almost everyone faces difficulties; it’s just that not everyone talks about it. So, what do you do when you run into obstacles? Give up? Of course not. Life is a series of challenges, and each goal has its difficulties. The main thing is to understand what exactly is slowing you down and start working on it.
Make a plan
When it comes to planning, many people imagine something complicated: multi-page documents, lists of tasks, and instructions. But in reality, the plan may be simple — it’s just a tool to help you start moving forward. Write it down in a notebook, in notes on your phone, or in a spreadsheet — the main thing is that it is understandable and valuable to you.
Your plan should include current obstacles, thoughts on how you will eliminate them, and specific steps you will take immediately. Here are some tips on how to make it: — clearly outline the steps; they should be such that you can immediately start acting; — set realistic goals: if you have a lot to do, do not try to do everything at once. It is better to move slowly but confidently; track your progress by checking how you are progressing, for example, once a week or every two weeks.
For example, if you’re writing a book, your plan might look like this: — goal: write a book; — obstacle: I have no inspiration, I sit at the computer for hours, but nothing happens; — solution: find places where I feel inspired and write there; — actions: go to quiet cafes or arrange a place on the balcony to write and do editing at the desk; — my immediate goals are to make a chapter plan and write a draft of the first chapter before Sunday. Prepare the second chapter by next Sunday. The main thing is to start small and not be afraid to adjust the plan as you go along.
Reconsider your goals and abandon the fact that it no longer works
Sometimes, the problem is that you’re just moving towards the wrong goals. Maybe you don’t want to achieve them anymore, or they don’t fit into your life right now. This means that they are no longer relevant, and it’s time to let them go.
It’s pretty standard that the goals you set before don’t match what you want now. We’re changing, and so are our priorities. For example, you might have been inspired by the idea of hosting a baking channel, but after a couple of months, it was too tricky and technically costly to realize that it wasn’t yours. Visit.A F R I N I K .C O M . For the full article. Or you wanted to open a consulting firm, but after studying the market, you realized that, at the moment, it was not the right time for such a business.
The same goes for personal goals. Review them, especially the ones you’re stuck with. Do you still want to achieve them? Do they correspond to who you are now and where you are in life? If they don’t inspire you anymore, it’s time to install new ones. Ask yourself: What makes you happy? What makes you smile and brings you joy? It is essential to distinguish between loss of motivation due to difficulties and loss of interest in the goal itself. Ask yourself the question: Are these just obstacles that need to be overcome, or do I no longer want to?
Do something small every day
We are typically taught to set ambitious goals and take significant steps to achieve substantial results. But there are times when this is simply impossible, for example, if you have small children, health problems, or a job that takes all your strength. In such situations, it is better to focus on small yet regular actions. The point is to do something small but useful every day. For example, if you want to lose weight, make the right food choice today.
And if you want to make more friends, text someone new when you have time. Move slowly, but do it well. It may seem like your efforts are insignificant, but in fact, such small changes accumulate over time and lead to great results. It all starts with what you do today. And yes, there are days when you feel depressed and don’t want to do anything. The main thing is what you do on most days, not what you miss. Small but regular actions are the key to progress.
Mark every progress
Finally, don’t forget to celebrate every step forward. Even if you’ve made quite a bit of progress, it’s already better than nothing. Even if you’ve been busy overcoming obstacles, that’s progress, too. For example, if you’re starting a business, you haven’t started yet, but you’ve already developed a business plan, studied the market, and come up with a name and a logo. And if your goal is fitness, you may not have reached your ideal shape yet, but you’ve become stronger and are doing more repetitions than at the beginning.
5 rules that should be followed when noting progress
Give up the “all or nothing” mindset
This kind of thinking manifests itself in the fact that you believe that you have either achieved everything or achieved nothing. He makes it difficult to see small victories. Remember, even small steps are a success in themselves.
Celebrate what you’ve already done
Look back and compare where you were and where you are now. What have you achieved so far? Don’t get hung up on what else needs to be done. Focus on what’s already been done and enjoy it. You deserve credit for your efforts.
Celebrate what you’ve already done
Look back and compare where you were and where you are now. What have you achieved so far? Don’t get hung up on what else needs to be done. Focus on what’s already been done and enjoy it. You deserve credit for your efforts.
Remember that the path consists of many steps
Some paths are longer, others shorter, but each step brings you closer to your goal. Mark every progress because it leads to the result.
Be patient
You may want quick results, but remember that every goal takes time and patience. If it is big or complex, it will take more hours to achieve it than what seems like a trifle.
