Recently, I feel like I’m losing focus on our goals and am not trying enough to be able to achieve them. I think that little things can get in the way and you can lose track completely. I especially feel like this when I’m having a bad week eating wise; it’s so easy to throw it away based on one bad day, rather than trying to look at the longer term. If only I didn’t like chocolate quite so much!
But, I am trying to figure out ways in which I can re-focus on the task ahead. Early retirement needs to be at the forefront of every decision, if we truly are going to make it. Although I don’t want to make it an obsession, it does need to be there in the thought processes of most things.
So, what I am going to do to try and re-focus? I’ve come up with some ideas:
1. Write down goals. I make both yearly aims and monthly goals, to try and keep focused for the days ahead. It’s crazy how fast time goes, especially when you have children. By writing things down, it makes the goals more concrete, and you are more like to achieve them. I mentioned recently about bullet journalling and that definitely helps! Starting a blog was the best thing I could have done in terms of focusing on our goals.
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2. Talk about it. This can be slightly harder to do, but talk about your goals with someone. Perhaps you have a friend who you share everything with. Or some people online who share the same ideas as you. Talk about your goals! The more you talk about them, the more they are to become a reality later on.
3. Look at how far you’ve come. When the going truly gets tough, you need to look back at how far you’ve come since you started. Again, if I use losing weight as my example, it’s disheartening each week when the numbers aren’t going down as quickly as I’d like. But, if I look back to where I started, I’m not actually doing too bad. Yes, it could be faster, but at least it’s going in the right direction 🙂 If you’re losing focus, look at how much you’ve achieved so far.
4. Take a break. Have a bit of a reset and do something to occupy you that isn’t related to your aims at all. Read a book, watch a film or make a cake – my favourite is lemon drizzle – and just have a bit of an escape for a while. Having some down time will make you feel refreshed and (hopefully) ready to tackle what you have to do!
5. Start again. Sometimes starting over can be the best idea. If you are so far from your end goal, then perhaps starting over with a different goal will help. If your circumstances have changed or your focus needs to be somewhere else, then there is no shame in starting over.
6. Try to stay positive! It is difficult when things don’t seem to be going your way and your motivation has disappeared, but try to stay positive. In the long run, if you are truly determined to achieve something, with perseverance and hard work you will.
What about you? What do you do to try and get yourself back on track? I’d love to hear from you!
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It’s paramount to keep your own batteries charged when you’re on the path to early retirement. It’s often a long slog, and retirement won’t be enjoyable if you’re physically and mentally broken from the lead up to it!
TFE
I am struggling with this a lot. I feel like I’ve let FI turn into an obsession. I’m so focused on money. I need to be more focused on goals and remember that money is just a tool to get there. Thanks for this post!
I needed to read this today! I’ve been trying to grow a side business and it recently took off. I’ve been trying to celebrate the positive with it, but I’ve also had such a hard time focusing with so many new curveballs to account for.
It’s good to take time away, breathe, and remain upbeat. 🙂
I think this is a read everyone can relate to, whether they are laser focused on FIRE, losing weight, work, etc. I’ve felt this more in the past 6 months than ever before, but it is okay to feel like you need to take a break and re-charge your batteries. I’ve not done that in a long time and at time, it wears on me every once in a while. I think your six steps are perfect and should allow you to re-charge on the fly. When you are getting frustrated, like you said, take a step back and look at how much progress you have made and all that you have accomplished over the years. Best of luck recharging!
Bert
It is hard when you are aiming for something long term, whether that is early retirement or losing weight.
I think it helps if you can build in some form of treat that fits with your aims.
When I’ve been on a diet and am losing motivation I treat myself, not with chocolate (nom, nom) but with a can of Diet Coke. This is a mini splurge as I wouldn’t usually buy the brand on budget grounds but do love the taste! doesn’t break the diet so I feel better afterwards.
Looking at how far you have come is key to keeping you moving forward.
You can do it!
You want to re-focus on FI / early retirement then two words spring to mind .. mathematics and stoicism.
Mathematics will give you the hard truth on whether you’ll actually make it or not based on your spending, saving, investment returns; stoicism will give you the strength to keep trying and keep going.
What won’t get you to FI is buying loads of sh*t you don’t need like markers and special note books to do “bullet journalling” or all the other stuff you post in your links 😉
What won’t help you to lose weight is eating lemon drizzle cake either … but to be fair lemon drizzle is a mighty fine cake 😋
This post is perfect for me. I think its so easy to get all fired up with wanting to do so many things that its really easy to lose our way.
I agree its really hard to focus on the long term goals.
You can do it!
Little Miss Fire
https://littlemissfireblog.wordpress.com
Hello from across the pond! Thank you for this post – I needed to read this today. You mentioned your bullet journal…I am not artistic either but would love to hear how you are using it for planning and reaching your goals!