We all have goals and dreams, but it can be difficult to stay focused and stick with them. Each week, I hear from people who say things like, “I start with good intentions, but I can't seem to maintain my consistency for a long period of time.”

I can relate. This isn’t how everything goes in life. The only thing that happens in your life is what you want to happen. The rest of the time you are doing the hard work. It might not always feel as though you are making progress toward whatever you set out to achieve, but if you do, you are getting closer to where you want to go. If that feels far away from where you want to be, that’s okay. That’s just one way that progress happens. Another way may be more difficult or you want something else to accomplish. Even if you do what you set out to do, it can be difficult to keep up. Here’s some tips if you're struggling with this.

1. Keep track of it (or think about it)

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One simple way to determine your goals and progress is to find a written record of these things. Make sure to write down exactly what you want to accomplish every single day and every few weeks. Maybe this will be writing and reading or working on your computer. This is an opportunity for you to see what can be done and try to figure out what will help you succeed. In other words, get clear on what matters most. These small things will lead you to success eventually if you put the time and effort into it.

2. Focus on positive changes

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When you find yourself becoming bored and losing focus, remember that you are on the right path. Don’t compare your current situation towards any past success. As much as possible, talk to people about your personal progress and how great it makes you feel. Ask questions about various aspects of yourself and ask questions about ways you could make a better version of yourself. There are plenty of resources available online such as YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, so get thinking!

3. Set realistic expectations

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In order to succeed at anything, you need to plan something. One of the best tools that I have used to help me during times of boredom is to create a list of tasks that I can complete each day. Each task needs to be broken down, done, and completed to the best of my ability. Sometimes, I include a piece of paper which needs to be hand-written and then filled out with all the details. Whatever works for you, feel free to use it because the important thing is what you’re aiming for. Once each part has been completed, fill out the next one and again with all the details and details. This doesn’t necessarily mean that all three parts of the task should be complete at once; rather, the idea is to be able to start another task after completing one. Then, do one more task, before moving on to the next one. Repeat this process until one task is left. Be as specific as possible because that helps to avoid unnecessary confusion and overwork and also gives you clarity about your priorities. A lot of us aren’t always successful at having our plans to ourselves and so we want to make sure they are as detailed as possible. Otherwise, we won’t know when we’ll run out if things don’t go according to plan.

4. Practice patience

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This is one of those days where you just don’t want to do anything. But you need to practice patience. You are trying to be patient with yourself and your plans to manage any obstacles in your way. Nothing is permanent, so take breaks. Do what you can each day as if nothing is going wrong. Take a break after each small task. Try focusing on the little things so you can keep going without giving in to distractions. Doing this is a fantastic tool for overcoming boredom because there isn’t anything else you can do, but waiting can distract you and give you time to focus on your goal.

5. Find a purpose

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When you really feel like you’ve run themselves dry and don’t have any more energy left, find something to focus on. Anything that seems easy to control or accomplish can be a good place to end your monotony. Think of your own hobby or even a fun night with friends where everything will be perfect. Being able to control both of those things will give you a sense of accomplishment and will help you push forward even harder in your goals. By finding something to fight against, you will have a greater chance to finish and achieve your goals.

6. Take it slow.

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When you find yourself having issues staying focused on your everyday activities, don’t feel rushed to check everything off the list. At first, you can get frustrated with yourself if you don’t see results within a couple of weeks of beginning your project. However, slow down and take time to decide things where you can control each step. Instead of pushing through the motions, start taking a deep breath and slowly going about each job. Let your heart guide your steps because without a great sense of direction, you’ll never get anywhere fast. Start small and work your way up. Eventually, that extra time will start to add up and turn into progress for your future.