Staying focused and knowing how to get back on track is important because every step forward is a step closer to your dreams. However, life can be a challenge at times and get in the way of my business. Has this happened to you too?
Between illness and family issues, first-quarter goals can go unachieved and then become second-quarter goals. I have to admit I get angry, disappointed, and discouraged when this happens to me but I know it’s all part of the journey on the path to achieving my dreams.
It’s easy to get discouraged when you look at everything you planned to do and got ZERO accomplished, and you have to keep pushing out your deadlines. Not fun! But it’s important to stay on the course or get back on track.
So, you may have a misstep or even take a step or two backward but don’t let it stop you. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get back on the horse. For only you can make your dreams a reality. Stop letting life get in the way.
Here Are A Few Tips To Help You Get Back On Track Faster
#1 – Look At How Far You’ve Come
- You wouldn’t have made it this far if you let life stop you. Don’t let it stop you now.
#2 – Use A Success Jar
- If you have a Success Jar, read what you’ve accomplished.
- If you don’t have one create one.
#3 – No Beating Yourself Up
- Stop beating yourself up because you’re not where you “should” be yet.
#4 – Don’t Compare Yourself To Others
- Don’t compare yourself to others or where they are in their journey. They have their path and you have yours.
#5 – Never Stop Trying
- You’re not alone in your struggle – everyone has to deal with distractions.
#6 – Change Your Thoughts
- Your thoughts determine how you feel. If you think you’re overwhelmed, you will feel it. Work on changing your thoughts.
#7 – What’s The Alternative?
- Ask yourself “What’s the alternative?” In other words, what will I do if I stop trying? Will I achieve my dreams?
- As Jiminy Cricket said, “Let your conscience be your guide.”
#8 – Take A Break
- Unplug for a day or two. Sometimes getting away from it all is the best cure.
#9 – Change Your Priorities If Needed
- If something on your to-do list is no longer important, simply pivot to something that is. It’s OK to change course.
#10 – Self-Care
- And remember you’re important; without you, there is no business. Take care of yourself!
How do you handle life’s hiccups? I’d love to hear your comments. Please take a moment to leave me a comment and share your thoughts.
Oh, and if you need to get back on track with building your VA business, please have a look at my Ultimate VA Success Guide: How To Start A VA Business. It will help you move forward step-by-step.
Thanks for reading – Susan
P.S. If you're ready to invest in yourself and a professional future, please check out my VA Success Training. It's for people that are serious about running a successful Online Business. It includes everything you need from business set-up, getting clients, client management, a WP website, coaching, a supportive community, and so much more.
WOW! What a timely inspiring tip. I am in a place where being an employee does not fit in my schedule. I have the awesome role of caring for my 79 year old mother with dementia. As her caretaker working outside the home is a challenge. I am restarting my home business after being placed on hold to relocate my mom. Most of the time I am upbeat. Since restarting the business it has been difficult to push out the gate. I got up this morning praying for direction. Normally, reading email in the am is not at the very top of my list. However, I picked my phone up and clicked on emails. Susan, your email jumped out at me. I read it. WOW! Thanks for encouraging.
Vera, thank you! Sending you positive energy – you can do this. One step at a time my friend. Be sure to keep me posted.
Thank you Susan, I love this! Very nicely put together. I felt as though you were talking to me, I don’t even have a business! My marriage recently ended, moved out of the marital home in January. Like CJ I’m now coming out of the fog. I’m focusing my energy on becoming a VA.
Shirine, thank you for taking time to respond. Prayers and healing energy sent to you. Stay strong, it will all come together. Be sure to keep me posted on your progress.
Thanks Susan! Just what I needed. Two weeks ago the relationship I was in ended and I was devastated. Not only emotionally but I didn’t have a place to live. Needless to say my business took a hit. Thankfully, as I’m coming out of the fog I’m realizing that I’m incredibly lucky to be a VA. I can go anywhere! I may be staying with family for now, but my business is the one thing that’s actually going well. I need to focus on that.
CJ – I’m so sorry to hear about your relationship but it sounds like you’re on the mend and on to greater things. Keep me posted.
Love this, Susan. Like Sheila, finding the “me” time has been a challenge. But I’ve discovered that the time I give to myself only enhances my professional capabilities. Love your work!
Thank you Betty!
Lot’s of great tips especially number 3, I am always feeling disapointment in myself for not doing as much as I think I should for my business.
Thank you Rebecca – me too! It’s so easy to be hardest on yourself where you give others a break. Time for a new habit!
Loved this blog Susan! I am about to make the jump to full-time VA in a few weeks and have a bad habit of not taking “me time”. This blog helped me till refocus and know how to prepare. Thank you! Will it be okay to share on my own blog post with a link to your blog?
Thank you Sheila and please feel free to share 😉
Great tips, Susan!
Thank you Amber!
Wow, right on time. I guess the question is not about falling, it is more on what you do after falling that matters, do you keep lying down or you rise up and get going. I used to become so hard on myself until l lent that roses comes from thorns. Every failure or disappointment carries a solution within it. So get up and keep moving.
Very well said Beke – thank you!
While my business is not officially in place yet, this is one of the reasons I am starting my own path towards independence from being an “employee”. We know our lives are going to be interrupted as we are in a season of dealing with our elderly parents and the challenges of health issues and, unfortunately, estate issues. Every time I start making progress and achieving goals, we get called out of town to attend to another urgent matter at hand; but I know I have the flexibility to push out those goals and pick up the pieces when we return.
I find myself discouraged often, but you are right, Susan; we have to continue to move forward and to take care of ourselves in the process. Thanks for the great article!
Thank you Michelle – you are right about having flexibility which is something most employees don’t have. I value that flexibility along with my freedom more than anything else 😉
Great article. Not everyone knows what is going on in the other person’s life. I think a very simple note letting your client or associates know of the situation will ease some of the stress. Very hard to do, but I think the client or associates would wnat to know. I personally took a few days off to unplug, but I should have taken those few days off sooner, so my 2nd tip is to schedule “get out of dodge and off the grid days” before your at the end of the rope.
Good for you Janice! I’m doing the same – scheduling “off the grid” days – love that term.
What an insightful article! Everyone needs to give themselves permission to recharge but it isn’t always easy, especially when working towards goal achievement. Focusing on whatever we need to, when we need to, is key to ultimate success. Your advice is spot-on. Thank you!
Thank you Pamela ;-). I agree, we are harder on ourselves than others and we need to learn to give ourselves a break!
Great article! Yes, I can relate. Great tips and reminders! We give everyone else a break, why is it so hard to give ourselves a break?! Perfect timing for this article! Thank you!!
Thank you!!