If you have ever used Windows, you know there's a "Restart" button. Sometimes just hitting that button will solve many software problems or minor glitches. But do you know, we also have that "restart" option after we have failed to achieve a goal?
Why restart after we fail at something?
Failing a goal once or twice doesn't mean that we are never going to succeed. There can be many reasons that we fail. Maybe it's not the right time. Maybe we didn't manage our time properly. Maybe our skills or abilities are not quite there yet. Maybe the other person is not ready. Maybe we didn't want it enough, etc.
Whatever the reason it may be, we always have a choice to restart. Trying at something once or twice may not be enough to make it work. But keeping at it for six, seven, or ten times may be just what it takes to succeed.
Every time we try, things are different, people change, our situation changes, our skills grow, or we become more experienced. Every time we restart, our chance of success inevitably increases. If we are committed and willing to restart the process after each failure, no goal is unreachable.
I know because…
It took me 5 years to reach the income goal I had set for my business. I tried countless times to build a rise-up-early habit and now I get up much earlier than I used to.
One of the most significant challenges is the sense that lives are on hold. One young professional athlete client of mine recently shared that the pandemic makes her feel that her career is “neutral” — she feels anxious to move forward but is unsure about what the future holds. She’s not alone in her longing to advance her aspirations. In fact, setting goals and planning for the future is an essential aspect of our sense of well-being, because it can help combat the sense of helplessness and loss of control you’re feeling in the current environment.
How to Reach Hard Goals?
Here are four questions to ask yourself to re-establish your goals in the face of uncertainty.
1) What is important to me in the near term?
Long-term planning can be difficult under the most stable circumstances. It is especially challenging now, as the depth of the economic downturn and timing of subsequent recovery are unclear. Establish your long-range goals (“I want to lead a team within the next three years”), but assume you’ll need to refine them as the future comes into a clearer focus. Spend more time on your near-term goals (“I will build my leadership skills by taking an online class”). You’ll have a better line of sight of what’s happening within the next month or two, and you’ll see quick wins, so you can adjust as needed.
2) What can I control?
Shorter-term, process-oriented goals, such as “I will watch and study three videos of my favorite player this week” or “I will create one new habit this week” are critical when things are in flux because you will not likely fully control the outcome. This relates to a concept in psychology known as “Focus of control”: your belief about how much influence you exert over your circumstances versus external factors. Determine which levers you have within your focus of control to help you achieve your goals and put your energy and effort behind those.
3) What are the actions I can take right now?
When things seem overwhelming, you just need to take the very next step possible. Ask yourself: What is the very next thing I can do to bring me closer to my goal? For example, there may be skills you could develop in your current role or position on the team, leadership programs you could research, or you could set up a call with a mindset coach.
4) How will I be accountable?
One of the most effective ways of staying on track is to create a community of support and accountability. Tell a few trusted friends or colleagues about your plans; ask them to check in with you about progress — it will compel you to make progress that you can report. You may want to create a “mentor board of directors,” a concept that Mind Over Sport coaches.
The pandemic and resulting economic disruption have wreaked havoc on many people and many students’ athletes’ lives — and the impact is especially acute for those who are just starting out in their sports journey. These are challenging circumstances, but by following the strategies above, you can plan, prepare, and set yourself up for success over the long term.
Coach Nye
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