As we make our way into 2021, there’s a noticeable fog of uncertainty and apathy in the air. Usually at the turn of each New Year, we are brimming with hope and optimism for the future, but sadly this does not seem to be holding true this year. Most of us enjoy setting New Year’s resolutions to guide our efforts and provide us with something to look forward to. So what can we do this year to rally our motivation and ensure that we’re achieving our goals?
Goals are scalable
First of all let’s address the fact that our goals this year will likely differ from those previous, as many of us face new challenges, lifestyles and habits due to Covid’s affect on our personal and professional lives. It’s important first to recognise that goals are scalable, and setting yourself a goal that is too high, or too low, can have negative consequences. If our targets are unrealistic, we’re setting ourselves up for disappointment, and on the contrary if our goals are too low, we run the risk of hitting them too soon and losing our motivation. So you’re probably thinking ‘How on earth do I know how large a goal to set?’ The answer is quite simple. An effective way to combat this is by recognising a long-term goal and breaking it down into stages. For example, your goal might be to run a mile in under six minutes, and your current mile time is ten minutes. Knocking four minutes off of your mile time is going to take a lot of effort and some significant time. So it’s advisable to break this goal down into stages. Let’s focus on 9 minutes first or perhaps just running the mile without stopping? All goals are scalable, and once we figure how to break them down, they become more achievable and easier to stick to.
Goals may have changed
Secondly it’s important to realise that our goals may well have changed. If your goal was to get that promotion at your office, that could prove to be challenging when working from home. If your goal was to bench 140 kilograms, it could be tough when the gyms are closed. The important thing here is to not lose steam. Let’s use the bench press goal as our example. Perhaps we can transfer this goal to the home, and adjust it to create a suitable and achievable target. Sadly it’s unlikely that we will have a bench and a barbell at home, but the true objective here seems to be building strength. This could easily be redirected to push-ups. Try diverting your benching goal to maximum reps of push-ups, and don’t let the circumstances prevent you from bettering yourself.
We have been gifted time
Lastly let’s talk about mind-set. Stephen Hawking said, “However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do, and succeed at.” Granted, these words are certainly overkill for a cold, rainy lockdown in January, but they are relevant nonetheless. While we may have had our hobbies taken away, as well as our families and friends, there is always something we can focus on. We’re presented every day with opportunities to better ourselves and improve our skills. We could pessimistically view this time as a burden, and a time-consuming drag away from the comfort of routine. Or we could recognise that we have been gifted time, we’re still here, and how we choose to spend the hours of each day is our choice.
To everyone struggling with the challenges of life in 2021, keep your chin up, and be the best version of yourself that you can be, for your own sake and the sake of those around you.
Dustin Hone
