Goal Getting is Not a Sprint

I have a tendency to turn inspiration into immediate action, and run the hamster wheel until I wear out. I sprint. Want to know the recipe for burnout on the way to goal getting? Reread the opening sentence of this paragraph.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may get a commission from the advertiser. This is just one way I can monetize my blog and keep those good posts coming, completely free to you! Rest assured, I only endorse or advertise products I believe in. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Some goals are definitely sprint-able. Want to drink the recommended 64 ounces of water today? You can certainly accomplish that goal in 24 hours.

Want to build a sustainable side hustle photography business and match your current 9-to-5 income? Girl, you are playing the long game!

When you're playing the long game toward goal getting, you have to act like it. If not, you risk depleting your creative energy and watching your goal drift further and further into the distance. That is an extreme visual, but you get the point.

Sometimes the only way to get to your destination, is to check in with yourself and take breaks along the way. Make sizable, reasonable forward steps, then sit the F down.

If you want to get there, wherever "there" is, then you need to respect the journey and your human limits.

In My Experience, Rushing = Forgetting.

I once got super frustrated with my boyfriend for taking seemingly forever (15 minutes) to pack for an hour-long hike. (It's just hiking, why do we need so much stuff??). I threw all of my things into my backpack and sat and waited.

My sunglasses, my wallet (to ID me in case I got eaten by a bear? Idk), sunscreen, snacks (duh), the dog's bowl, and my water bottle.

When bae was finally ready (again, only 15 minutes but like still), he asked me if I had everything (yes, ugh!). Then he proceeded to ask specifics - "Do you have your sunglasses?" (yes) "Your sunscreen?" (Again, yes). "Your water bottle? (For crying out loud, yes!) "Is your water bottle full?"

I then took my water bottle out of my bag to prove a point and show him that I indeed had thought of all the things, when I felt how light my water bottle was.

There was an inch of water in my 40-ounce water bottle (yes, I linked it - Hydroflask is the BEST) for an hour-long hike in the 95-degree heat, for both me and the dog.

I forgot to fill it.

Because I was sprinting toward the goal of being in nature, I totes would have passed out on that hike.

Don't do yourself like that!

Take your time and play the long game to actually reach your goals (without getting dehydrated, or just plain giving up).

Goal getting is a serious endeavor.

If you wear yourself out, your goal will definitely seem unachievable, even if it's something you can totally accomplish with a plan.

How to Slow Down on Your Goal Getting Journey

Get a buddy

Designate a friend (maybe another goal-getting lady!) to call when you are endlessly tired from doing all the things and need a reminder to chill.

Someone to call who you can list all the things you've done for the day or week to work toward your goal, who will validate each thing and give you a reality check to take a break.

You will feel better, and your friend will get to hear all the cool things you're doing to get your goals!

Make a List

A realistic To-Do list.

Things you want to work on now, 2 weeks from now, 3 months from now, etc. A To-Do list is not all the things to do now.

That's totally unsustainable, even if you really really want to try the sprint.

Do what you can do, and make a plan for doing the rest at a different set time.

Your brain and creativity need breaks!

Write Your Wins

Write down all the things you have done toward your goal (for the day, the week, or since you started), and thank yourself for doing those things.

Life is not linear. In fact, is most often not linear.

Looking back and seeing the steps you have already taken will make that next step easier and keep you moving toward your goals.

I like to keep a "win list" in my notebook. Every time I reach a mini milestone or something good happens, like a blogger I love retweets something of mine, I write it down on this running list.

Then, at times when I feel depleted and stuck in my goal getting efforts, I look at this page and get an awesome refresh.

So set yourself up for success on your path to goal getting by remembering these three things, and also getting your self care routine right.

Give yourself a swimming pool of grace while you work to achieve whatever your goals may be. Take breaks, and celebrate the small wins along the way!

Yours in goal getting,

Emily Rose // Miss Magnolia