From experience, failed goals can bring a gut-wrenching feeling to the surface. I’ve had many of these moments in my lifetime. In fact, I’ve recently mourned the failure of my biggest goal this year…
My failed goals
For me, 2024 was the year of personal growth. In January, I started strong by adhering to a strict blogging schedule for Intentional Lucie – scheduled into a meticulous morning routine and poised to lead me to the crystal-clear vision of my future. I had dreams of making my decade-long dream of professionally blogging a reality, and wiping the slate clean following my three failed blog attempts in years gone by. I could see that, this time, things would be different.
But, rather than celebrate the success of a year driven by determination, the story unfolded in a way I didn’t expect. As the year ran through the seasons, motivation dwindled, life took over, and the dreams were swept under the rug. I feel sad to admit that during this time, I even contemplated closing Intentional Lucie down for good, holding little rationale as to why I should keep it alive.
I’m beyond grateful that I’m still writing to you today.
Now, I can only describe my current state as waking up after being in another person’s reality, experiencing an utter hyperfixation on things that, in the harsh light of day, go violently against my values. I touched on this in my blog post about rediscovering slow living.
You might be wondering why, in this corner of the internet for brighter living and self-discovery, I’m sharing my story of failure. In part, because being honest feels right, but also, because there’s a lesson to be learned that I hope helps you, too.
Recovery from failed goals
Nothing changes if nothing changes, nor do circumstances happen by accident.
To explain, moping in self-pity and complaining about something difficult is unlikely to result in success. As I’ve written previously, there’s action in the law of attraction, and a person who’s deemed successful, say, a six-figure business owner, will be doing the mindset work and groundwork to reach their destiny, laser-focused on their goal.
So, to change my reality, I need to change. What’s interesting is that, now I’ve come back to myself, I feel lighter, in better alignment, and for the first time in a long time, excited for what the future holds – for Intentional Lucie and my other life ambitions.
Recovery is, honestly, trying again. Other than to reflect, looking back at what hasn’t been achieved during my months of absence will not propel me forward. I can take the lesson and, put simply, either pick up from where I left off or create a new strategy for success. Either way, whatever the setback, the critical action is moving forward.
Here are three methods I’m using to realign with my goal for Intentional Lucie:
Creating a vision board
I shared this pointer in my law of attraction guide, as, in my experience, it’s not one to be underestimated. For me, a vision board brings intentionality, setting the tone of my vision. Physically gluing pictures to paper sparks my creativity, excitement and connection with the future. I will be adding photos of people in the process (such as a girl on her laptop, writing away) and, for the first time, hanging the finished product in my office as a constant reminder of where I’m going.
Building a plan
When I launched Intentional Lucie in 2023, my project plan was short-lived, and the timeline was almost nonexistent. I notice the chain effect clearly – a lack of direction resulting in a lack of discipline, ultimately, resulting in a lack of interest. Now, I plan to dedicate time to building a plan that I can lovingly follow, and set myself recurring check-ins to establish what’s working well and what’s not.
Making the investment
The investment of running a blog deserves a post of its own. But, for now, I’ll say that the financial investment is more than I imagined, and I’m slowly uncovering my limiting beliefs about investing in personal endeavours, for Intentional Lucie, among others. Ironically, I’m peeling back the layers to find that I lack faith in myself from past failures – a pertinent point on failed goals that makes it ever more critical that I keep going. I need to remind myself that launching Intentional Lucie is everything I ever wanted, and it’s worth every penny. It’s time to ask if you’re investing in yourself, too.
Are failed goals really a failure?
Failed goals are only a failure if, despite dreaming of them, you don’t try again. If you’ve recently suffered the loss of a failed goal, I hope my reflection is helpful for your recovery, and you jump back in with the passion you once had to reach what’s meant for you.
A heartfelt thank you for reading Intentional Lucie and reminding me of my biggest goal of all – to write. In harmony with my goal, there will be a new stream of content on my little website, and I’m blessed you’re here with me.