There’s something about putting yourself out there when it comes to trying new things. Whether it be blogging, starting a business, a dance class or a new job. They all come with a set of challenges and competition. We all know that social media has taken trying to “keep up with the Joneses” to another level. We see how other people live, vacation, succeed and all around look to have the ideal life. It can make you feel like your dreams are impossible.
Even though we know these are just snippets of that persons life, sometimes it gets to us. Sometimes we wonder why they got promoted and we didn’t, we wonder why their family looks like a J.Crew ad and ours doesn’t. Why are they living their dreams and we’re feeling stuck. That whole comparison thing kicks in and you start to feel like you don’t measure up. Does any of this sound familiar?
Honestly, I’ve been there! When it comes to blogging, biz or family goals it’s easy to think that someone else has it better than you. What’s not always easy to remember is that we all have a back story. There’s things behind the scenes that we know nothing about. There’s a support system there for them that you just don’t have. It’s not a reflection of you and whether or not you’re successful. It’s about seasons.
I’ll use myself as an example. Right now, I’m in the trenches with my kids. I’m not aiming for six figure months with my business. I’m too busy being my kids unpaid Uber driver and making sure my family life stays afloat. So I focus on the parts of my business that I can successfully maintain and grow. The other things will come later as my capacity to handle them changes. The change is coming because – seasons. The current season of my life requires me to be more hands on with my family. Honestly, it’s a good thing. With how fast our kids grow, I’m thankful to get as much time with them as I can.
Maybe you’re in a different situation that isn’t related to growing a business but you still feel like you’re not moving as fast as you’d like with whatever your goal might be.
What to do while waiting
While you’re waiting for seasons to switch, I have a few thoughts to help you hang in there!
Find the lessons
Learn as much as you can while you’re in your current season so you’ll be ready for the switch because it is coming!
Get laser focused
It helps me to focus on my lane without looking to the left or right to see what others are doing. I’m much more productive and successful when I’m keep my attention on my own thing.
Lose the overwhelm
I don’t have a problem with setting unrealistic goals. I think that’s part of dreaming big. Every now and then you need a goal that makes you scared and think how am I gonna pull that off. Those unrealistic goals are fine. It’s the unrealistic timelines I don’t do. I don’t give myself a list of things to do that’s as long as my arm. I find my top 3 and work at those. Each day, I chose three things to accomplish. There may be extra things on my list but if I get the top three done, I feel accomplished. Anything else is just icing on an already sweet cake.
I say over and over again that we need to give ourselves grace! The whole idea of having the perfect life is paralyzing. If you focus on everything lining up and chasing perfection you’ll eventually burn out kick yourself because you’ll feel defeated. No one wants that.
How do you avoid feeling like you don’t measure up? What would you tell someone struggling with it?
22 Comments on Stay sane + Chase your dreams : 3 steps to do it
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
This is just so true. Keep your eye on the prize, work on your own dreams and be kind to yourself.
I always overwhelm myself trying to reach for the stars… all at once haha.
I love your idea of working on top 3 goals for every day. Will give it a shot. I lose focus easily, I hope by focusing on just 3 small tasks will help me accomplish them easily.
Thanks, I’m glad I read your blog.
Learn the lessons, great point! Easy to miss them when you are not looking!
I’ve always been really big on planning! Planning and making a list always help me so much!
I nodded my head as I was reading this. I can relate big-time! Right now I’m really trying to focus on letting go of what needs to be off my plate and staying focus on my path and not comparing!
Thank you! It was uplifting.
I remember than I can’t control anyone or anything else other than me, and my own thoughts about who I am as a person. I’m learning to love myself more – the only person how I need to measure up to is ME!
I’m not sure what I’d tell someone. I’m easily overwhelmed, and feeling very overwhelmed in this moment right now. I’m trying to slow it down, break it down, and take some time to think about my little goals. Which you mentioned above. One day at a time.
I needed this today! I am in the trenches with potty training, being pregnant, and raising kids. I totally agree that we need to recognize and accept grace in whatever form it comes in. I have had to just tell myself that I am doing the best I can with the resources I have available. I may not be as amazing at something as the next person, but I am just what my kids need today.
Love the “Find the lessons!” It’s easy to be so excited with the future you forget about what there is right now! Those can very well help in the future journey. <3
It’s true Social media can sometimes, affect our goals in life especially if we will start comparing our achievements to others.I agree with you as long as we know our focus to our dreams instead of getting affected with perfect life displayed by social media we will surely hit our goals. Thanks for this sharing this inspiring blog entry. 😘
Finding the lessons is key and something I am allowing myself to do. Thanks for the reminder!
I love the three things to do a day. I’m always going overboard and get super frustrated when I can’t complete everything. Great ideas!
Great blog! I conpletely agree with you! It is so easy to feel like you are not doing enough or getting enough done. But that just paralizes you more! Sometimes, when I feel like I am not getting anything done, I stop stressing about it and just go with it and think, “I guess today is going to be one of those days where I get nothing done”. And sometimes that’s already enough to spontaniously launch me into being productive because I don’t pressure myself 🙂 Strange how we can be our own worst enemy sometimes…
Girl, we speak the same language! I’ve got my reach goals and my top three tasks for the day. Everything else is gravy. How can we achieve and be energized to get things done if we are constantly overwhelmed?
I love these tips! I had a good friend in college who always said his biggest fear was his dream coming to pass and not being ready for it. That has always stuck with me. Learning the lessons is so important to do in the waiting. Thanks for this!
Find the lesson is probably my favorite. Don’t get lost in what’s not happening but keep your eye on the prize and learn on the way.
Yes! The power of 3 and the power of baby steps. My two favorite things! I needed the reminder today – thank you!
These are awesome reminders, and as a new blogger, something I needed to read today. Thanks!
YES! I accomplish so much more when I set time lines and tick things off as I go! Those smaller achievable goals help me reach the larger goals!
xx,
Lacey
I love your advice! My kids are now 20 and 23 and you are right- things change and seasons pass. Just take small steps towards those big goals so that you feel like you’re moving forward. I’m also focusing on doing less and making conscious decisions to do those things with the most impact on the day, week or life ahead, depending on what headspace I’m in.