Get Energized with Some Mini-Goals

Are you feeling dull and uninspired?  Do you wish you had a little more spring in your step each day?  Setting some new goals is a great way to change things up, and it can leave you feeling fresh and energized.  But you need to set the right goals. 

That means you don't want a goal that's so big and challenging, it's hard for you to get started on it.  You also don't want a goal that's going to be a burden.  So if cleaning out the garage sounds like pure drudgery, skip it for now. 

Instead, think in terms of mini-goals.  You want to set a goal that:

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1. Is small enough that it won't be overwhelming or hard to do.
2. Genuinely appeals to you, so you like the idea of doing it.
3. Can be started right away, so you enjoy the benefits right away.

 

Example #1 of a mini-goal:
Is there an old friend you've been meaning to get in touch with, but you keep putting it off?  You have the perfect mini-goal right in front of you!  Commit to getting in touch with your friend within the next 3 hours.  Decide on how you'll reach out and set specific time to act on it.  If something comes up and you get distracted, push to follow through before the 3-hour window passes. 
 
You'll have the satisfaction of feeling good about yourself for doing what you set out to do, and you'll be encouraging someone else in the process!
 

Example #2 of a mini-goal:
Have your bathroom cupboards, drawers, or countertop become cluttered with items?  Pick one space (a single cupboard or medicine cabinet, a single drawer, or the countertop) and give it a clean-up.  Clear out all the junk and pitch all those near-empty bottles you're never going to use up, and watch as the space clears right before your eyes.  You might even come across products you forgot you had!
 
As you arrange your now scaled-down collection of items, the space will be tidier and less-cluttered, and you'll enjoy the sense of order that it brings.
 

You don't need a major life overhaul; you just need a mini-goal. 

We often fall into the trap of thinking that when we're in a slump, we need a major life overhaul to get out of it.  Granted, there are times when a major life overhaul is indeed in order.  But there also times when all we really need is a bit of activity outside our usual routine.  It doesn't have to be big; anything that launches you into action will work, even something as simple as calling an old friend or cleaning out a bathroom drawer.
 
When you see immediate results from your actions — reconnecting with your friend, or a tidier bathroom drawer — you experience an uplifting, positive feeling from having successfully accomplished what you set out to do.  Small, manageable goals, that you can start working on right away, are a great way to trigger this cycle quickly and easily, and it can have a powerful, energizing effect.
 
If you're already feeling low on energy, the last thing you need is a challenging goal that overwhelms you.  Instead, take action on a small, manageable goal that genuinely appeals to you, and one that will yield quick results.