These are tough times.
As we continue to fight the battle with COVID-19, we are faced with matters that are out of our control and it can be overwhelming. Not only have our day-to-day responsibilities been affected with job loss and school shutdowns, but our wants, desires, and goals have taken a hit too.
We know that it takes serious time and effort to create goals for yourself and therefore is undoubtedly frustrating when you aren’t able to meet those goals due to circumstances that are out of your control.
All we can say is “Pivot…pivot…pivot!”
That is a reference from the hit TV series “Friends”. Have you seen the episode where Ross and friends are carrying his couch up a steep stairwell? He continually yells “pivot” as they slowly and unsuccessfully navigate a turn. (Season 5, Episode 16, “The One with the Cop”)
Anyway, that is exactly what you must do when faced with adversity—pivot and go in another direction.
Similarly to doomsday preppers (people who prepare for an apocalypse), we must also be prepared for the unexpected, to include knowing when and how to pivot and adjust our goals. We know all too well, disasters never strike during convenient times.
It is crucial for you to not panic and through all reason out the window. We will help you through the planning stage!
Interested in learning how to set proper goals? Related blog post:
New Year’s Resolutions: A guide to Setting and Meeting Your New Year’s Goals
Goal Setting | Tip #1 Do Not Panic
Panic will do you no good. Find peace in knowing that things happen; we cannot control everything.
Goal Setting | Tip #2 Adjust Mindset
Just as there are 5 stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance), you will find there are stages in accepting big changes too. Although change brings excitement, it can also be threatening.
Adjusting your mindset to accept the new situation is the first thing you need to do before you can move on with Plan B.
Goal Setting | Tip #3 Re-organize Goals
With the goals that you have established already, cross out the ones that you cannot realistically meet. It could be that not all are unobtainable and may need only minor changes.
Goal Setting | Tip #4 Prioritize Goals
Rearrange the rest and add additional goals. Depending on the challenging situation you find yourself in, you may need new budgetary goals or pay off debt faster / slower.
Goal Setting | Tip #5 Adjust Deadlines
Deadlines keep you motivated and moving toward completing your goals. Your long term goals will merely need their deadlines adjusted (see tip #10). Your short term goals deadlines will need to be extended.
Extending your deadlines is not proof of failure. In fact, even if you aren’t facing challenging times, extending your goals is completely acceptable and normal.
Goal Setting | Tip #6 Keep Motivated
When re-writing your goals, be mindful of the reason you are writing them. They must be meaningful enough for you to be motivated.
Goal Setting | Tip #7 Give Grace
Give yourself some grace! For goodness sake, being accountable for your own goals is hard enough. You are now committing to re-writing them to adapt to your new situation. You are allowed to miss or extend deadlines or not meet the goal at all. It is okay.
Goal Setting | Tip #8 Accept New Goals
When your new goals are set, accept them and do not look back. It is easy to think “what if” but those philosophical thoughts do not belong near your goals.
Goal Setting | Tip #9 Make Plan C
If we know anything by now, it is to make a contingency plan. While you are creating your Plan B, do not forget about Plan C. Mentally take note of which deadlines can be flexible and which are considered “hard deadlines”.
Goal Setting | Tip #10 Think Short Term
Create goals that can be met within 6 months. Quite often short term goals are met within a few weeks or months. Examples include: travel, create budget, spend more time with family/friends, and stick to exercise regime.
Goal Setting | Tip #11 Think Long Term
Create goals that take longer to meet. Examples include: pay off debt, increase savings, purchase a home, purchase a car, and start a business.
Goal Setting | Tip #12 Be flexible
As we have learned by going through this process ourselves, the necessity to be flexible is paramount. We must be able to adapt and adapt again. Remember, pivot!
The year 2020 has been a year of firsts for all of us, and it is only half over. Keep your head high and focus strong. You can make the most of time during this unchartered territory. We know you can!
Comments