I recently found myself in this situation and was disheartened by the fact. Sitting down with my goal sheet in front of me, I set about re-evalutating each individual one in the effort to fire up my inspiration and continue to move forward. The following is the process I used to get out of my goal rut and rediscover the meaning each held for me and regaining my focus on my ideal vision of life.

Start by drawing out the goals that seem to continually be unfulfilled and analyze them.

• What was it about this goal that got you excited originally?
• Is it truly aligned with your current vision?
• What are the benefits or rewards for accomplishing it?

You never truly fail a goal till you give up on it completely -- an uplifting fact to keep in mind when you find yourself stuck.

This doesn’t include removing a goal because it is not aligned with you any longer, that isn’t a failure at all. It’s a great thing to be truly honest with yourself and be objective with your goals, rather than holding on to one for sentimental reasons. Cut out any goals that you no longer hold dear, or are for someone else other than you.

If you established from the above questions you still really want this goal, then keep at it!

• Change how you are going about it. Insanity is doing the same thing every time and expecting a different result. Create a new and different plan of attack.
• Write out a strategy. Make a list of every step you need to do to work towards. Pick one of the most vital and start. Do it now!
• Surround yourself with inspiration on a regular basis

Strategizing and writing out each step is a vital element to help your realize a goal. Breaking it down allows our brain to focus on each individual step, hone in on what really matters and overall makes the goal seem a lot more achievable in its more simple components.

For me, time after time “I own a dog” would go unfulfilled on my goals board as the ‘by whens’ kept slipping by. Although a short term and seemingly simple goal, I was always disappointed it went unaccomplished because for me, achieving it would rock my world! Yet, did I ever actually sit down and think about it? It was only till recently I made a plan, I researched and budgeted considering the long and short term.

Now I’m at the point where all the steps are covered besides having a dog friendly place to live. Although the goal passed by, the feeling of accomplishing all those other steps is great and I know I’ve tried and I’m one key step away from making it reality.

When the going gets tough, remember your inspiration and values. Focusing on these will help you center your energies on the positive and empowering. Have them be a part of your everyday life.

• Write out your top goal and have it somewhere you see everyday
• Draw on your mentors and idols for strength
• Write out your 5 most important values. When faced with a decision, ask yourself if it holds true to these values or not.
• Listen, read and watch inspiring stories and documents (I love listening to Brian Tracy’s CD the Philosophy of Happiness)
• Remember who you are doing this for. YOU.

At the end of the day when it comes down to it, what matters most to you is what’s important. Don’t stress yourself with other’s goals or comparing yours to others as this can hinder your energy and integrity to your own values.

One of the most powerful, yet simplest questions that was asked to me once wasL “How are you going to spend your time?”

Remember the choice is yours, how you live this life. Spend it wisely, doing what you love.

why goal set?

There is a way to write your goals so they are powerful and meaningful. Goals set an intention and are not a one-time deal but an exercise for living every day.

Goal setting:

• provides focus
• creates your life
• helps you discover your personal path
• teaches you where you are taking personal responsibility

what is a goal?

A goal is a written statement with a deadline (or "by when", as we call them here at lululemon). A goal inspires you to do the work. Your goals should excite and even scare you.

A goal is not a 'to do' list or an idea, what your family/boyfriend/girlfriend/etc. wants for you, or what society states is for you.

Goals are to create what does not already exist.

Goals are based on a long-term plan that has no constraints. Anything is possible. Whatever you need to achieve your long-term goal (skills, funding, experience, etc.) you can gain with time.

language

Your words create your world and you become what you think about most of the time. Remove the following words from your language and you will reach your goals: try, hopefully, wish, might, maybe.

how to get started

Start from where you are. Reaching goals is hard work, so get ready to dig in and discipline yourself. Accept total responsibility for everything that happens. Ask for feedback along the way.

questions

Here are some questions to help you start thinking about your ideal life:

• What are you willing to give your life to?
• What are you willing to commit to everyday?
• What causes you to be inspired everyday?
• If a wish could be granted, what would you wish?
• What kind of difference do you want to make in the world?

your vision

• State your ideal life
• Be descriptive
• Choose a moment in time and explain everything that is going on around you
• Get beyond your life. What is the state of the world?

writing exercises

- Write your obituary. Imagine your eventual demise. It has an amazing impact on how you live in the moment.
- Write your retirement speech. What would you say? What would your oldest colleague say? What would your mentor say?

vision board

Collage your ideal life and hang it somewhere you will see it often. Watch it all come into being.

related reading

• Learn how our Digital Innovation Manager, Carolyn, sets goals: The Top 10 Ways I Goal Set
• How to make an effective vision board: Goals, Arts and Crafts Style