Ever feel like your personal goals are the last item on an endless to-do list? Do they always get bumped to tomorrow?
It’s a common story. We all have ambitions. We have dreams. We have things we want to achieve for ourselves. Maybe you want to learn a new skill. Perhaps you aim to get healthier. You might dream of writing that book or starting a side project. But then life happens. Work. Family. Chores. An endless stream of responsibilities fills our days. Our personal goals often take a backseat. They become "someday" items.
I get it. I really do. For a long time I felt stuck. My own goals felt out of reach buried under unhealthy habits and a lack of direction. Stephen Montagne the founder of GoodExistence.com knows this feeling too. He navigated through cycles of gaming binge eating and just feeling plain lazy. Then he decided to make time for what truly mattered.
The Usual Suspects: Why Our Goals Take a Backseat
Life is demanding. It's no wonder our personal aspirations sometimes get lost in the shuffle. We tell ourselves we'll get to them "when things calm down" or "when we have more energy."
Often it's because we're just tired. After a long day the sofa looks much more appealing than that workout or online course. Sometimes the goal itself feels too big. It's overwhelming. We don’t know where to start so we don’t start at all. That "I'll do it tomorrow" thought is a sneaky trap. Before we know it tomorrow becomes next week then next month. For Stephen overcoming habits like excessive gaming or mindless eating wasn't just about stopping something. It was about redirecting that time and energy towards new positive goals.
It’s Not About Finding Time. It’s About Making Time.
This is a small shift in words. It makes a huge difference in perspective. "Finding" time suggests it's lost somewhere like spare change. "Making" time means you are actively creating space for what's important.
Your personal goals aren't just nice-to-haves. They are vital for your well-being. They are crucial for your growth. They are essential for your overall happiness. They give you purpose. They help you become the person you want to be. Think about Stephen’s journey. He didn’t just find the time to lose over 110 pounds or build a deeper connection with his faith. He actively carved out that time. He made those things a priority. He understood their importance for a good existence.
Small Steps Big Impact: Making Time Without Overwhelm
So how do we actually make this time? It’s not about suddenly having an extra five hours in your day. It’s about being smart and intentional with the time you already have.
Here are a few practical ways to start:
- Break It Down: Huge goals are scary. "Get fit" is vague. "Walk for 15 minutes today" is doable. Stephen’s weight loss journey wasn’t one giant leap. It was many small consistent choices. Aim for tiny wins.
- Schedule It: Treat your goal time like an important appointment. If it’s in your calendar you’re more likely to do it. Even 30 minutes dedicated a few times a week adds up.
- Embrace Short Bursts: You don’t need hours. Stephen found great success with short bursts of deep work typically 2 to 4 hours for his professional tasks. Apply this to personal goals. Fifteen focused minutes are better than an hour of distracted effort.
- Know Your Golden Hours: Are you a morning person or a night owl? Work on your goals when you feel most alert and focused.
- Link Habits: Attach your new goal activity to something you already do. Read a chapter while you have your morning coffee. Listen to an educational podcast during your commute.
Saying No To Say Yes
This one can be tough. It’s so important. Every time you say yes to something you are saying no to something else. To make time for your personal goals you might need to start saying no more often.
This could mean saying no to extra commitments that drain you. It might mean saying no to scrolling endlessly on social media or another hour of TV. It's about protecting your precious time and energy for what truly fuels you. Stephen had to say no to the allure of old habits. He said no to hours of gaming and yes to physical activity. He said no to mindless eating and yes to nourishing his body. What can you say no to so you can say yes to your goals?
Harnessing Your Why
What’s the real reason behind your goal? Knowing your "why" is like having a superpower when things get tough. It keeps you going when motivation wanes.
Is it to feel healthier and more energetic for your family? Is it to express your creativity? Is it to build a skill that could lead to new opportunities? For Stephen strengthening his Christian Orthodox faith provided a profound sense of purpose. This "why" became a bedrock. It supported him through challenges. It guided his choices toward a more meaningful life. Take a moment. Connect with your deeper reasons. Write them down. This purpose will be your anchor.
Celebrate Every Small Win
This is crucial for staying motivated. Don’t wait until you’ve reached the mountain top to feel good about your progress. Acknowledge and celebrate the small victories along the way.
Stephen makes it a point to celebrate small wins. This practice helped him stay on track during his incredible 110-pound weight loss journey. Each healthy meal chosen. Each workout completed. Each pound lost was a win. These small celebrations build positive momentum. They make the journey enjoyable. Practicing daily gratitude also ties in here. Be thankful for your effort and for your progress however small. Be thankful for the opportunity to grow.
When You Fall Off Track (Because We All Do)
Let's be real. There will be days when you skip your scheduled goal time or fall back into an old habit. It happens to everyone. The important thing is not to let one slip-up derail you completely.
Perfection is not the goal. Consistency is. If you miss a day don’t beat yourself up. Don’t think "Well I've ruined it now might as well give up." That’s just not true. Show yourself some compassion. Acknowledge it. Then simply get back on track with your next planned step. Stephen's journey of overcoming unhealthy habits surely had its ups and downs. The victory lies in not staying down.
Making time for your personal goals isn't a luxury. It’s an investment in yourself. It's an investment in your happiness and in the life you want to live. It’s about creating your own Good Existence. It won’t always be easy. It will always be worth it.
So I’ll leave you with this question: What is one small step just one tiny action you can take today or tomorrow to move a little closer to a goal that truly matters to you?
Don’t overthink it. Just pick one thing and do it. You’ve got this.
