It’s time to try again

Episode No. 39

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If you're reading this, it's your sign to try again. Yes, you - the one who's been thinking about that goal you set aside, that dream you've been hesitating to pursue, or that project you've been meaning to restart. This is your moment to reconnect with your aspirations.

While this post is an extension of Episode 39, Goal Ideas for the Year, the context is inspired by my recent reading of Robert Greene's "Mastery." While Greene's works often spark diverse opinions, I am enjoying this book because of its fundamental message: the importance of falling in love with the learning process itself. Through historical examples, the book transformed my perspective on goal-setting and career development.

On pages 75-78, Greene discusses how trust and faith become our anchors when facing the common emotional hurdles in any pursuit. This insight came at a perfect time, as I spent much of last year rebuilding trust with myself and redefining my relationship with faith. So I after reading that, I got inspired to write techniques to help you through the emotional hurdles for the goals you got inspired to try after listening to the episode above.

Kick-Starting Your Journey Again: The Emotional Roadmap

In his book "Mastery", Robert Greene identifies four key emotional obstacles that we all face when pursuing our goals. These emotions - boredom, panic, frustration, and insecurity - can derail even the most determined individuals on their path to success. Understanding and preparing for these emotional challenges is crucial, as they often emerge at different stages of our journey toward mastery.

1. Dealing with Boredom

Boredom often sneaks up when we've lost sight of why we started. It manifests as a dull, restless feeling where tasks become mechanical and meaningless. This emotion typically surfaces when we're past the initial excitement of starting something new, but before we can see tangible results. It's dangerous because it can lead us to abandon our goals in search of newer, more exciting pursuits. When boredom sets in, we might find ourselves mindlessly going through the motions, losing the deeper connection to our purpose, and eventually questioning if the goal is worth pursuing at all. Here's how to overcome it:

Create micro-challenges within your larger goal
Document your progress to visualize your growth
Find an accountability partner to keep things engaging
Mix up your learning methods (videos, books, hands-on practice)
Set themed challenges for each week or month
Join online communities focused on your goal
Experiment with different times of day to work on your goal
Create a playlist specifically for goal-focused work sessions
Teach what you're learning to someone else
Gamify your progress with personal rewards and milestones

2. Managing Panic

Panic often manifests as an overwhelming sense of anxiety and urgency when faced with the magnitude of our goals. This emotion typically surfaces when we encounter unexpected challenges, tight deadlines, or when we realize the full scope of what we're trying to achieve. Panic can clouds our judgment, disrupts our focus, and can lead to hasty decisions or complete paralysis. When this feeling takes over, we might abandon our strategies, rush through important steps, or worse, give up entirely. To combat panic and stay on track, try these techniques:

Break down your goal into smaller, manageable steps
Practice deep breathing exercises
Focus on one task at a time
Create a supportive environment by removing distractions
Write down your fears and create action plans for each
Use visualization techniques to imagine successful outcomes
Set a timer for focused work sessions to prevent overwhelm
Keep an emergency toolkit of calming activities ready
Connect with someone who has achieved similar goals
Start with the easiest task to build momentum

3. Navigating Frustration

Frustration is that burning sensation of hitting a wall despite your best efforts. It typically surfaces when progress feels painfully slow, setbacks keep occurring, or obstacles seem insurmountable. This emotion is particularly dangerous because it can transform motivation into resentment, making us question our capabilities and the worthiness of our goals. When frustration takes hold, we might be tempted to take shortcuts, abandon proven methods, or give up entirely. Here's how to handle it when:

Review your past successes and lessons learned
Adjust your timeline if needed - progress isn't linear
Seek feedback from mentors or peers
Take a break and return with fresh perspective
Break down complex problems into smaller, solvable parts
Document your struggles and solutions for future reference
Find alternative approaches when current methods aren't working
Join support groups or forums related to your goal
Create a frustration management routine (exercise, meditation, journaling)
Use setbacks as opportunities to reassess and improve your strategy

4. Overcoming Insecurity

Insecurity is that nagging voice of self-doubt that whispers "you're not good enough" or "you'll never make it." This emotion typically surfaces when we compare ourselves to others, face setbacks, or venture into unfamiliar territory. Insecurity can be particularly devastating because it attacks our self-worth and confidence, making us question our abilities and whether we deserve success. When insecurity takes hold, we might start self-sabotaging, procrastinating, or avoiding challenges altogether. Here's how to overcome it when:

Keep a "wins" journal to track achievements
Practice self-compassion
Remember that mastery is a journey, not a destination
Surround yourself with supportive people who believe in your goals
Create a list of your unique strengths and past accomplishments
Take small, consistent actions daily to build confidence
Learn from others who have overcome similar insecurities
Challenge negative self-talk with evidence-based counter-thoughts
Set realistic expectations and celebrate small victories
Use visualization techniques to picture yourself succeeding

Adjust your goals before abandoning them

By implementing these techniques for managing boredom, panic, frustration, and insecurity, you're not just pushing through challenges – you're developing a more nuanced understanding of your goals. This deeper insight allows you to make informed adjustments rather than completely abandoning your aspirations. Sometimes, what appears to be a dead end is actually an invitation to pivot, reshape, or refine your approach. The key is to recognize that adjusting your goals isn't a sign of weakness or failure; it's a demonstration of wisdom and adaptability.

When you feel stuck or overwhelmed, take a step back and evaluate which aspects of your goal still align with your values and which might need modification. Maybe the timeline needs adjustment, or the scope needs to be redefined. The techniques shared above provide you with a toolkit to work through emotional obstacles while maintaining clarity about your ultimate objectives. Successful people rarely achieve their goals exactly as they first envisioned them – they remain flexible and open to evolution while staying committed to their core purpose.

So take that first step. Start small if you need to, but start. Trust that you have everything within you to succeed, and know that this time, you're bringing all your past experiences as tools for your success.

Your next chapter begins now. Are you ready?

Ready to take action on your goals? Checkout Episode 39 "Goal Ideas for the New Year" where we dive deeper into these concepts and provide actionable strategies for your journey. Click the podcast links at the top of this page to listen now and follow for weekly inspiration and practical guidance. Your future self will thank you for taking this step!

What Inspired this Episode:

This episode was born from that motivational time at the end of the year when everything felt possible. You know that window between Christmas and New Year's when we're all in this collective dreamy state, thinking about what's next? That's exactly when I felt compelled to create this content. After spending my own year diving deep into personal growth and watching so many of you embrace your own journeys, I knew there was no better way to wrap up the year than by talking about goals.

Episode Description:

Join me for an insightful exploration into intentional goal setting across nine essential life categories: Connection, Health, Personal Development, Finance, Spirituality/Religion, Recreation, Career, Home/Environment, and "Other". This episode serves as your comprehensive guide to crafting meaningful objectives for the year ahead.

Before diving into goal-setting, we'll address crucial self-reflection questions that help align your aspirations with your authentic self. These thought-provoking questions will ensure your goals resonate with your true desires and values.

Key Features:

Detailed breakdown of each life category with practical goal examples
Essential pre-goal-setting questions for deeper self-reflection
Three powerful tips to enhance your goal-setting success

Whether you're a seasoned goal-setter or new to intentional living, this episode provides the structure and inspiration needed to create a well-rounded vision for your year. Learn how to balance ambition with realism while maintaining harmony across all areas of your life.

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Music by Remil - Evening Tea - https://thmatc.co/?l=DFECB5D4

Section	Timestamp	Notes
Introduction	00:00	-Look at where you were to see where you are to create goals -No more dream versions, now referring to that life as our future selves
Figuring out your future self	00:41	-Two question sets you need to decide on - Set 1 Questions are how you envision your future self -Set 2 is Spectating so you can figure out the goals you should have to make it happen -How I set goals for my future self
Goal Ideas	04:20	-Categories include: connection, personal growth, health, finance, spiritual/religious, Recreation (creativity, play, adventure &experiences), Home & Environment, Career, and Other
Top tips for choosing goals and setting goals	20:33	-Are you more motivated by abstract or specific goals -Measurement of progress -Consistency vs intensity
Card Pull	25:32	-Animal spirit deck -Sea serpent
What I'm grateful for	27:49	-Having the clarity to make decisions in advance