How to pick yourself up and triumph when you lose focus

Last year, to ensure I didn’t lose focus, I set a goal to improve my 5km run time. My first goal was to run the Park Run under 25 minutes. Next, 24 minutes and then under 23.30 minutes. I achieved all of this, and hit a new personal best of 23.18. My other run goal was to achieve a new personal best at the Sunshine Coast half marathon. My target was one hour forty six minutes. Despite being sick on the day, I did get a new personal best, but then, things went wrong.

When we are going well with our goals we feel inspired and motivated. It’s easier to keep going when we are in momentum. However, right now, my running has taken, literally a backward step. I am running around two minutes slower than the PB I set last year. It is at times like this, when we feel we are not improving, and going ‘backwards’ that it is easy to give up and become despondent; the task ahead seemingly insurmountable. And we stop or lose focus which can result in us not doing the things we know we should.

It’s normal to struggle from time to time with our goals

It was that very thought on Saturday that inspired me to reflect and share this, in the hopes that if you are struggling with your goals, feeling a bit unmotivated or had a wobble, it inspires you to keep going.

February is the time where many people’s resolve falters, and in fact by the end of February around 60% of people have given up on their New Year’s Resolutions, suffering that February Failure syndrome.

As I was writing this I asked myself what I needed to learn from last year’s experiences of running so well compared to where I am currently today. I felt humbled as I reflected and chose to decide that at some level I didn’t fully appreciate my last year’s running successes. If I did, I wouldn’t be back to where I am now! Because I have competed previously at a high level, I took my successes for granted, as I had unconsciously presumed I should be able to achieve this based on former experience.

Make sure you don’t lose focus by appreciating your small wins along the way

So, from this point today, I will now appreciate fully my running successes last year. I will acknowledge every small win along the way as I embark on the big task that lies ahead.

We are all unique and just like life, the seasons and cycles of life, we will experience ups and downs at different times. It becomes critical we keep focused on our journey and not stop to compare ourselves and performance to others, who may be on the up wave while we are on the down wave.

I hope this helps you on your journey, with whatever you wish to achieve this year. If you are new to exercise and finding it a struggle, remember that at whatever level you are, when the going gets tough, other people find it tough too, even though in your eyes you may think it is easy for them! If they are doing well and you aren’t, at some stage this will change. I can guarantee this. Is there something you need to learn that if you learnt it, could either propel your success or help you get back on track? I would love to hear from you.

Seven tips to pick yourself up when you wobble and not lose focus

Here are my 7 tips for when you lose focus and need some extra motivation to keep going.

1. Be grateful for each session you commit to and acknowledge each success. This will build fuel and gratitude for more to come.
2. Be consistent and take small steps consistently.
3. Every choice counts. You have control over your choices so choose actions that are in alignment with your goals.
4. Reconnect with your ‘why’. Why do you want to achieve your goal? Get crystal clear and let it become etched in the forefront of your mind.
5. Imagine yourself standing in your goal. As Neville says, ‘ Standing in the moment of the wish fulfilled.’ The more you visualise yourself having achieved your goal the more you bring it into your reality. This is the amazing power of your subconscious mind when you program it correctly.
6. Accept that you will wobble off the path, and you will be distracted by other bright shiny objects! Remember you are human and this is quite normal. Refocus, and step back onto your path. Forgive yourself when you wobble or your path and are anything less than perfect.
7. Find someone to help you keep accountable and to train with.

So, here’s to your success and you now have a few tips for if you lose focus on your goals. Your journey and your goals are unique, however, please remember, you are never alone!

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