4 Hacks to Get Back on Track with Your Goals (Even After a Major Setback)
The harsh reality check that launched my productivity
Normally, people start New Year with a bang and then by March most of them will give up on their resolutions.
I did the opposite, but not by choice.
As I was sick most of January, I couldn’t do anything at all. Then, insecurities started creeping in along with depression. By February, I found myself consumed by regret, spending most of my time lost in books.
I was so angry with myself for not doing the work, so angry that my body was not cooperating with my goals that I decided to make a change. And this time, I am not going to give up.
Well, to be honest, the change came after a pep talk with my husband who showed me some harsh realities. So, tough love for the win.
If you are struggling yourself, try one or more of these things to slowly get back on track. I’ve tried different things, but so far only these have worked.
1. The Biggest Lie I Told Myself
I always blamed my 9 to 5 and 3-hour commute.
For me, these were the reasons I couldn’t write even though I wanted to. But then, I realized I wasted so much time throughout the day. Even during weekends, when I am home all day, I don’t write.
Most days, I’m too sad, angry, or tired to do anything at all.
The realization that changed things for me was…
I will never have time until I make it myself.
My boss will never tell me to take a day off to write.
My responsibilities at home won’t go away miraculously one day. They will just increase with time.
I know I don’t have time. But as years go by, the available time is not increasing, it’s decreasing.
Right now, no kids are crying for my attention. There are no major projects at work that need my 100% effort.
So, it’s now or never. And I chose now.
Nothing has changed much since that realization. There’s still a job and commute. There are still responsibilities at home.
And I’m still tired.
But it’s 6 in the morning and I’m writing. I so desperately want to go to bed, but I know if I did what I wanted, I would live my life with regrets. So, here I am, writing.
Find time for things you want to do. No one will change things you for, you have to do it yourself.
2. The Hidden Cost of Neglect
The recent health scare was a wake-up call for me.
I didn’t realize how badly I need to pay attention to my physical health until my body reminded me.
For this, my excuse was the same.
I don’t have time!!
As I didn’t take care of my body, it took matters into its own hands and suddenly, nothing was more important than getting healthy again. All I wanted was to feel normal. To be not sick.
And this is the reason, I am exercising every day now.
Because I understood that no matter how great my plans are, and how much effort I put into them, if my physical health is down the drain, I can’t do anything.
3. My Journey to Mental Peace
If you’re an overthinker like me, you can relate to this.
I’ve let other people ruin my mental peace over and over again. I’ve let my emotions get the better of me on several occasions.
And I always blamed others. I never realized one simple thing. It’s like as Roy T. Bennett said…
'You cannot control the behavior of others, but you can always choose how you respond to it.'
I knew that, but incorporating this into my life was so hard.
I don’t know when I decided that I could never change and things will always be this way.
But now, I will change.
Being busy has helped me to some extent. And because I am getting up early, working out, and going on walks, I am too tired to start overthinking at night.
But the two things that have helped me a ton are:
Meditation: Sitting along with my thoughts and focusing on my breath is life-changing. At first, it’s just silly but trust me it works. I had strong prejudices against meditation but I’m finally starting to love the process.
Brain Dump: Writing everything that comes to my mind on paper. It’s simple but effective. It helped me understand what’s really going on in my mind.
4. From Chaos to Calm
I used to work when I felt like it and it worked for a while.
But this way, my emotions get the better of me most of the time.
So, now I follow a routine. I know what I have to do and I do it. Even if it hurts. Even if I want to cry. Even if I hate it.
Don’t get me wrong. I do take rests and off days. Two out of seven days, I just sit with my book and read instead of writing because my mind simply doesn’t work sometimes.
But that’s okay.
When my mind starts questioning everything, I just take it easy for a day.
But other than that, having a fixed routine is calming because I no longer have to think about what to do. I can just do it.
I hope all these tricks work for you as well!
If you have any other tips that can be of help, comment below or reply to this email.
I’ll see you next week,
Sush😶🌫️
❄️ Published this week on Medium
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