Finding Your Motivation: A Guide for Women on Setting and Achieving Goals

Are you feeling stuck in a rut, struggling to find the motivation to chase your dreams and set meaningful goals? Or, have you started a goal, but your progress has stalled? You are not alone! We’ve all been there, life throughs us off trace, eveyr day brings a new unseen challenge, our energy levels and mental capacities are also are not the same every day.

I want you to give yourself grace in this messy goal-setting journey. Grace that not all your boxes are checked. Grace that you maybe know what you need to do, but aren’t motivated to do it. Grace that maybe you’re holding on to those excuses just a little too long.

Let’s talk about why setting goals is so important. Goals give us direction, purpose, and something to strive for. They light a fire under us and push us to become the best version of ourselves. Whether it’s landing your dream job, running a marathon, writing a book, taking control of your health, or finally taking that bucket list trip you’ve been dreaming about, setting goals is the first step towards making your dreams a reality.

Goals and Motivation

Setting goals is the easy part. Setting goals is the exciting part! Staying motivated and actually achieving them? Well, that’s where “the wild stuff” of goal setting begins. The truth is we are not always motivated to work on our goals! Once we start working the plan of our goal, well, it gets to be mundane, and can be a slog.

I was not always motivated to run when I was training for a marathon. I was definitely not motivated to train while I was on vacation with my family. In the mountains! I was not motivated to write early in the mornings. I am not always motivated to update our budget and track every dollar spent weekly. I am not motivated to drink another Fab4Smoothie for breakfast.

It’s all hard work and determination that got me to the other side of those hard goals. The big secret? I just woke up and DID IT ANYWAY. I care so deeply about the outcome of the goal, that I know I have to take some action today, to yield a future result. I also know my core values, and those are another tool in helping me take action towards achieving a goal. I value growth and learning. So I have changed my mindset in how I view goals. I deeply care about the kind of mom I want to be, and the example I am setting for my daughter, so I am deeply motivated to take action now, so she knows how to set goals in her life.

Here are some tips that have helped me stay motivated towards goal setting.

1. Get Clear on Your Why: Before you start setting goals, take some time to get clear on your “why.” Why do you want to achieve this goal? What’s driving you to pursue it? When you have a strong why, it becomes so much easier to stay motivated, even when the going gets tough. Why did I train in the rain, because I wanted to cross that finish line. Why do I update our budget? Because I either wanted to pay off my student loan, or save for DisneyWorld.
2. Break It Down: Set a SMART GOAL. Big goals can be overwhelming, so break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. This not only makes them feel more achievable, but it also gives you a roadmap to follow and helps you track your progress along the way. Think of 3 big milestones for your goal, and focus on whatever is required to accomplish the first milestone.
3. Build A Habit: Make it easy on yourself and take away the “when am I going to do this?” thought in your mind. It takes up mental space, and can keep you from taking action on your goal. Plan to work on your goal at the same time every day. It takes away decision fatigue, and we can all use less of that. Also- set yourself up for success the night before. Clean your area, set out your workout clothes, charge your laptop, prep and meals, etc.
4. Celebrate Your Wins: No matter how small they may seem, celebrate every win along the way. Even if you just sit in your own awesomeness and feel pride for yourself! Celebrating your wins – big and small – keeps you motivated and reminds you of how far you’ve come. Go to dinner, schedule a pedicure, or make your favorite dinner- anything to give yourself a high five.
5. Accountability: Surround yourself with like-minded people who support and encourage your goals. Whether it’s joining a fitness class, a book club, or an online community (Join mine!), having someone who supports and encourages you, makes all the difference in staying motivated and accountable.
6. Pivot as Needed: Life happens, and sometimes our goals need to be adjusted. And that’s okay! Be flexible and willing to adapt as needed. Remember, it’s not about perfection – it’s about progress. Change the plan as needed! If your goal no longer aligns, that’s ok! Make a new goal!

There is no magic formula here friends. I keep my eye on my WHY. I think of my end goal, and mentally work backwards (because I have already laid out a SMART goal roadmap), and I just say to myself:

If I want this___________(goal), then I HAVE TO do this ____________(action) today.

Download your free Goal Planner PDF here!

So, there you have it, goal sisters, a little pep talk to help you find your motivation and start setting and achieving those goals. Remember, you can do it. You just don’t want to do it. Do it anyway. Do it scared. Do it when you don’t feel like it. Do it for your future self. Do it for your kids who are watching you.

With love and goal-getting vibes!

Hey, Goal Sister