Feeling lost in the weeds?
Embarking on a new goal or project is often exciting. This initial phase is where we immerse ourselves in big-picture dreaming, and gain motivation and energy to kickstart our journey. Sometimes, as we move forward and encounter slower-than-expected progress or challenging hurdles, it can be easy to veer off course and lose momentum.
If you’ve ever felt demotivated during a project, and you’ve caught yourself excessively fixating on minor details, it might be a sign that you have drifted away from your primary focus - a phenomenon often described as being “lost in the weeds.”
The great news is that when we find ourselves overwhelmed and losing sight of our objectives, there are strategies available to assist us in regaining our focus, reigniting our motivation and getting back on track.
1. Acknowledge that you are off course - There is no shame in getting sidetracked. It happens to us all, especially when we are working on large or prolonged projects. Accepting where we are enables us to refocus our effort and energy towards where we want to be.
2. Retrace your steps - Take a moment to reevaluate your journey by zooming out from the intricate details and asking yourself a few crucial questions. What were you working on when everything was running smoothly? At what point did you stray off your chosen path? Can you recall the last time you experienced success? Based on your reflections, plan your next three steps. Be sure to build on what has already gone well and the progress you have already made.
3. Examine your expectations - Often, our sense of being stuck arises from unrealistic expectations rather than our true capabilities. It’s common to overestimate our productivity and underestimate the time tasks demand. Set yourself up for success by doubling your work-to-time ratio. If you estimate a task will require 30 minutes, allocate an hour. This approach allows for flexibility and minimizes stress. If you finish within the allocated time, it’s a victory. If you complete it even earlier, you gain bonus time, achieving another win.
4. Motivation Matters - Identify what motivates you and discover how to reignite it. Maybe you need frequent small wins to keep you going, or perhaps understanding how today’s task fits into the bigger picture is the key for you. Consider breaking tasks into more manageable pieces, tackling a mixture of your favourite and less favourite ones to provide you with some variety. Perhaps changing your task sequencing, like working on a longer task followed by two quicker tasks will rekindle your sense of accomplishment. If motivation is still elusive, take a moment to reflect on the potential consequences of not completing your tasks in relation to your larger goals.
5. Celebrate - It’s important to pause and acknowledge both the effort and the progress you have already made, particularly if you're feeling discouraged. Whether it’s something small or a more significant milestone, take a moment to celebrate. Share your victories with a friend or family member. Every little step you take is deserving of recognition as they collectively contribute to your larger goal.
If you would like to experience less time lost in the weeds and more time making progress towards what you desire I would love to work with you. Please get in touch. kelly@kellycoopercoaching.com