Do you ever feel discouraged about your goals, wondering if there’s any chance at all that you’ll ever achieve them? Or do you sometimes wonder if your dreams for your life, family, ministry, or business are nothing more than illusions – something that other women might achieve, but not you? If you’re a busy wife and/or mom, I’m pretty sure you’ve felt both of those things. And I have to tell you, I’m right there with you. I’m feeling so discouraged right now about the goals I’ve set and the things I want to accomplish, I’m just about ready to throw in the towel.
A lot of things are contributing to my discouragement, but the main one is thinking “that’s for other women, not me.” I look at the things other bloggers and writers and business owners are doing and I just feel so discouraged. (Yes, I know that comparison is deadly!) I feel as if others are moving forward rapidly, and I’m just spinning my wheels. Even though I’ve set goals for this year and made a plan for achieving them, I’ve just about decided that they will never happen. That’s crazy, I know. (And as a Christian, I know it reflects poorly on my trust in God’s plan for my life.)
The other reason for my discouragement is time or, more accurately, the lack thereof. I think this is one every woman feels. We have so many things on our plates and so many people counting on us, that when it comes to working on a goal or moving toward a dream, there just doesn’t seem to be anything left (time or energy) at the end of each day.
So I decided this week that I’m going to work on my goals as much as my time and energy allow, then trust God for the outcome. (Of course, as a person who wants to make things happen, that’s easier said than done!) And I’m going to value every bit of time that I devote to working on my goals and consider it time well spent. Even if it’s only an hour. Or 30 minutes. I’m trying to adopt the theme that “Every hour spent working on a goal puts me an hour closer to achieving that goal.”
So I made myself an encouraging image as a reminder to do as much as I can and let that be enough. I actually made two, because I couldn’t decide which one I liked best. And in case you’re feeling discouraged and needing a reminder that every hour you spend and every step you take toward your goals and dreams is valuable, I made them into printables that you can save, print or share. I hope they encourage you, in case you’re feeling a bit discouraged too.
Every Hour You Spend Working on Your Goal printable
Find One Hour. Work on Your Goal. One Step at a Time. printable
CECIL says
Practical and helpful
GC says
Thank you, Cecil.
Gaye
Karen says
Your words are so encouraging, Gaye, and I am so familiar with your sentiments. More times than I care to recall, I’ve expressed something along the lines of, “I wish I had a day squeezed in that ‘doesn’t count’ – a day to maybe make strides toward ‘catching up’ without the date changing.” Crazy, I know, but I live there and at times it gets nearly overwhelming. I can be somewhat caught up and exhausted, or well-rested and dreadfully behind. (That was my latest iteration on the situation.) It’s a real problem, it seems, in our age.
BUT…(our pastor says that’s a very beautiful word) you are exactly right – as I like to say, “baby steps COUNT!” Any progress forward puts you a bit closer to the goal, and even if they have to be adjusted, just having goals and working toward them is success!
Thank you for the beautiful printables you are sharing. They will certainly be an encouragement to me.
GC says
Thanks so much, Karen. I most definitely know the feeling of wanting a “day to catch up!” Sometimes I wish for a day to catch up on work and another one for the house and another one for the blog…. And yes, the choice between caught up and exhausted or well-rested and dreadfully behind is one I know too well. Or if I get caught up on one thing then I’m instantly behind on another!
Thanks so much for your kind words, and for the reminder that baby steps count. I’m clinging to that!
Gaye
Gabrielle says
Yes I have been struggling too so thank you for this post!
GC says
Thank you, Gabrielle. I hope it’s an encouragement to you.
Gaye
Julie says
Gaye,
Thank you for this post. I am an almost forty year old wife and mother of four. With my youngest starting kindergarten this past fall, I, for some crazy reason thought it would be the perfect time to go back to teaching kindergarten. Wow did I underestimate how challenging it would be to carry out the daily goals I set for myself, much less the long term ones! Thank you for your words of encouragement and know that your blog work is deeply meaningful despite how you think it compares to others.
Be blessed today as you are a blessing to others!
Julie
GC says
Thank you so much, Julie, for your kind words and encouragement. They really mean a lot to me. Yes, I know you have your hands full with four children and teaching – and all the responsibilities that go along with both. Just getting through the daily grind often seems like all you can do! I pray that you will find the right balance and that you will have some time to pursue your goals and maybe a dream too.
Gaye