It takes work and perseverance to get a new job, start your own business, or make a move in a new direction. That’s why a lot of people don’t do it.
Are you one of those people who has been putting effort, time and money into your passion for years and you’re still not as far along as you want to be? Perhaps you’re exhausted and having a “what’s the point?” moment.
I remember those days during my own journey. I found myself asking … “Why AM I doing this? I’m exhausted. I’m spending money I probably shouldn’t spend. I’m taking risks that I probably shouldn’t take.” And I was mad at myself for not being further along on my dream path.
If these kinds of emotions are coming up for you, ask yourself these three questions:
1. What’s My Motivation?
When I felt most uncertain about my career journey, it was typically because I was focused on my fears. I’ve heard similar worries from clients and colleagues. Do any of the questions below sound familiar?
“What if my family doesn’t support what I want to do? What if I fail? What if I do this for five more years and I’m in the same place?”
Yuck!
First of all, those are all “what ifs” – and we can’t know the answer to something until we try it. “What if” questions can be a serious source of stress and exhaustion. I’m not saying you shouldn’t plan or be responsible in the way you approach your future, but focusing on “what if” questions can promote fear and stagnation.
Instead, the better questions to ask are “What’s my motivation? Does that reason still exist? How badly do I want this?”
So – on those crappy, uncertain days, ask yourself what you’re feeling and what’s motivating you. If you push away or try to ignore exhaustion or negative energy, it’ll become a conscious or subconscous weight that will slow you down. Instead – identify it, figure out its cause, and determine if what motivated you before is still motivating you now.
2. Will it Pass?
When I had my own tired, questioning moments, I asked myself: Do I want to keep working toward this goal? I can drop it if I want.”
My quick, honest response was: “I can’t NOT do this.” I would remind myself why I was pursuing the dream in the first place, and I would be reenergized. Inspiring TV shows, blog posts or someone’s triumphant story were all motivators as well, and my questioning would pass after a day or two. If that’s the case, you can chalk it up to a short phase, that’s just part of a typical journey.
If you’re spending weeks feeling burnt out and questioning your goals, it may be time to really listen to yourself and reflect on your intention. It may be time to rethink your goal.
3. Am I Taking Care of Myself?
If you’re working multiple jobs or making sacrifices to pursue your dreams, it can indeed be exhausting. You may just be tired!
While pursuing your dreams takes time and work, it’s important to take care of your mind, body and spirit. You can’t be at your best and put in extra effort if you’re not exercising, eating well, getting the rest you need and filling your spirit with some positive energy.
When was the last time you felt tired of pursuing your dream? What did you do? How did it go? Share your story in the comments section below.
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