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Episode #77
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When you have a setback, it can seem so much easier to just stop. Particularly when you are not feeling well, are exhausted or are under stress. At that moment, all the reasons why you are working towards something can seem less important, and less desirable. It’s so much easier to walk away and give yourself excuses as to why it’s the right thing to do at the time.
Having goals is important yes, but not if they are so rigid that they cause stress or make you consider giving up. Better to keep going with more fluid milestones and goals to aim for.
So when you find yourself thrown off course or having to stop working towards your leaving your day job, first of all, remember to be kind to yourself.
HOW TO BE KIND TO YOURSELF
The biggest way you can be kind to yourself is to give yourself a break. You are allowed to drop the ball on occasion and sometimes other things in life come first, like your health, family or other projects in the business. That doesn’t mean you have failed. Or that you should stop altogether. Don’t beat yourself up, even if you’ve had to take a long time out from your new business or freelance plans. Forgive yourself for missing some goals, or having to move them. Take smaller steps if you can and make your goal simpler.
But if you still can’t make it because you suddenly have been given a big project and need to fly to New York, or a colleague has gone on long-term sick and you have to pick up the slack, it’s ok. You will get there eventually.
Give into the situation and focus on what you need to, knowing that your plans will still be there when the crisis is over.
Do get to know when you are procrastinating and when there is truly no time for you to work on your plans because of something that has happened unexpectedly.
Finally, always remember why you wanted to achieve something in the first place. It will usually be far more powerful than the feeling of wanting to quit going for the working life you dream of.
The key point I want to make is don’t give up on your big plans to leave your day job, just because you have missed some milestones or are completely behind your schedule. They can always be rearranged and adjusted to suit. Even if you can’t actually do anything, plan for when you can. Even if it’s a rough idea that you will get back to your plans in 1 week, 1 month or even 1 year from now.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS…
Stuff happens. Despite the best-laid plans and all the motivation in the world.
When that happens, be kind to yourself. Give yourself the time, space and grace to get done what is needed and get back on track.
By being kind to yourself, giving yourself permission to change your plans when needed and giving yourself the space to do what’s necessary in the moment, you are far more likely to avoid quitting when you hit a setback.
