When creating a goal, it can help to be clear on why you want to accomplish it. Your “why” can help you stay connected to your goal, especially when things get difficult or progress feels slow. Here are some tips to help you find that motivation.

Identify What Feels Important to You‍

If a goal is on your mind, there’s usually already a reason. Maybe you want more stability. Maybe you want less stress. Maybe you are trying to prepare for something, recover from something, or make things feel more manageable.

You might start by asking yourself:

  • Why do I want to accomplish this goal?
  • Is it important for me to focus on this now, or is this a longer-term goal?
  • Is this something I want for myself, or do I feel pressure from other people or expectations?
  • If I make progress on this goal, what could change for me?

Your reason for setting a goal should make sense for you. Family, friends, social media, and other outside influences may offer thoughts—but what is most helpful for you?
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Let Your Goal Meet You Where You Are

Sometimes goals are based on what we think we should be able to do, rather than what fits our current situation. If things feel hard right now, it’s okay to adjust your goal so it feels doable. That might mean starting smaller, taking more time, or breaking it into steps.

If you need help turning a goal into something more specific, our SMART Goals tool can help you break it down into smaller, more manageable steps.
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Check in on Your Progress

Some goals take time. Checking in along the way helps to make sure you are staying on track or that you are adjusting if that goal is no longer needed or something you want to focus on. Some ideas that could help make sure you’re checking in regularly:

  • Set a reminder on your phone
  • Write a note somewhere visible 
  • Set a date on your calendar to follow up
  • Set goals with someone you trust and check in with each other along the way

During these check-ins, you might ask:

  • Do I still want to work toward this goal? 
  • Does this still feel realistic?
  • Do I need to adjust anything?
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‍When Motivation Changes

Motivation is not always steady. Some days you may feel ready, and other days you may not have much energy to work toward your goal. That does not mean you’ve failed. It may mean you need to pause, adjust your pace, or come back to it later. Rest and recover to gather the energy to try again.

It may help to come back to why you set this goal in the first place and think about what it will feel like to get it done. Think about the relief it will bring. Think about how it will help you feel more prepared, more stable, or less overwhelmed. That may not make the process easier, but it can help you reconnect with what matters to you and keep you moving forward.

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Need Help Setting a First Step?

‍Use our SMART Goal tool to decide which step to take first, choose something achievable, and set a date to complete it.

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