It’s just not working….
We all go through points in our life when we feel like we’re putting our all into something but just not reaping the rewards of our hard work. Yet we look around us and we’re made to feel like the very things we are striving for, others are doing with ease. Instant access to what others are up to via social media only adds to that feeling of lack.
Whether it’s moving up the career ladder, relationships, blogging goals or the more personal life goals, we’ve all got something we’re working at and often it’s multiple things at once. But without something tangible to demonstrate our success, like that promotion with the new title and salary to match, collaborating with brands or thousands of Instagram followers, we can be left questioning whether we are on the right path.
I’m generally a positive person, but even I go through moments when I feel like it’s a constant uphill struggle. A few years ago, I would have stayed in that state of mind for longer but luckily with age comes wisdom. I’ve found ways to manage my feelings better, put things into perspective and question whether I could do things differently.
So if you feel like your hard work isn’t paying off, I’ve got some tips and advice as well as the questions you should be asking yourself to help get you out of that emotional rut.
1.
Take A Break
How often do you hear these words, but do you actually take heed? Sometimes we become so engrossed in what we are doing that we start to lose focus. This can result in feeling overwhelmed.
But taking a timeout makes us feel guilty; like we are going to miss out on something vital if we actually take care of ourselves. The truth is we won’t.
Whether it’s for a couple of hours, a day, or longer, taking a break helps clear the mind, gets you back in touch with what really matters and will give you a new source of inspiration.
It can also give us the opportunity to see something from a different angle. However, if we don’t step away from a situation, even just for a little while, our judgment becomes clouded and we are unable to find the answers that are often right in front of us.
2.
Work Smarter, Not Harder
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “hard work always pays off.” Well….not always. It is important but sometimes we equate hard work to working long hours or tirelessly pursuing something, but being open to finding new and better ways of working is just as important.
Think outside the box and look beyond your current circumstances. Sometimes help comes from the most unlikely of sources but we need to take the time to identify who and what that might be. By networking, researching and constantly learning we can open up other possibilities and ways of working that most often than not will have us saying “why didn’t I think of this before?”
It’s also important to take a rounded approach to everything you do. Write down all the tasks involved in what it is you are working towards, prioritise them and then make sure you dedicate some time to them. For example, if it was up to me, I would just spend most of my time taking photos for my blog but that’s not going to get me anywhere. Equally important, however, is promoting my posts on social media, connecting with other bloggers and reading and commenting on other blogs. It will vary for different people but you can apply this concept to pretty much everything.
3.
You’ll Never Find A Rainbow If You’re Looking Down
Sure, we may not be where we want to be, but there is always something that is going right. However, if we convince ourselves otherwise then that becomes our reality. I know sometimes it’s easier said than done, but it’s important to keep a positive attitude.
To do so we need to appreciate the journey and not just wait for that end goal before we feel like we have accomplished something. The reality is that we’ll always be striving for more so if we don’t appreciate and celebrate even the smallest of achievements along the way, we will never be satisfied.
4.
Remember When It Was Even Harder
We become so consumed in our present struggles that we often forget what it was like before. Using our past as a means to reflect is always a good idea. It’s a bit like remembering when you had zero followers on Instagram! Yet we so easily forget about those things because we are constantly on the look out for more.
Try to make it a point to jot down your progress that way when you look back on it you’ll realise how far you have actually come. And remember, everyone has to start somewhere.
5.
It Wasn’t Meant to Be Easy
Who said it was easy? It’s important not to believe everything you see and hear on social media or even within your circle of friends. Some people make out like they have it all or it could just be that is how you perceive it. The truth is everything in life comes at a price. Everyone is on their own personal journey and we all work hard in different ways; that doesn’t mean it’s any easier than it is for the next person.
In fact, when things are going too well, I start to worry about what’s going to go wrong. I don’t think you should live your life that way, but it should never be a breeze either.
6.
Do You Really Want This?
We can become heavily invested in our goals that we don’t realise it’s not for us anymore. Rather than acknowledge this we carry on working tirelessly at something and then wonder why the hard work isn’t paying off.
This will always be a difficult one because it takes a lot of soul searching to figure out whether we carry on or move on to something else instead. You don’t have to give up entirely but make sure you are listening to your intuition, evaluate your goals regularly and ensure sure they are in line with your needs.
7.
Maybe It’s Just not the Right Time
I used to be a “it’s now or never” kind of person. However, I’ve learnt the hard way that putting that kind of pressure on yourself is unnecessary. Things that I thought I wanted but never got, I now realise weren’t good for me in the first place. Equally, there is no such thing as never, sometimes you just have to wait your turn when the time is right.
Often there are bigger things at play that are beyond our control. You need to remember that nearly everything we do is linked to a number of other factors and people. So many times things get put on hold because other people have their own set of priorities and your now is their later. Don’t take it personally and accept that these things happen. Instead, use your time more effectively and focus on other tasks. This way the waiting game will be easier to deal with.
So to sum up…..
It’s perfectly natural to feel like you are just not getting anywhere. The important thing is to make sure you don’t stay in that state of mind. Instead fuel that negative energy into something more positive and learn to use it to motivate you even more. You will never escape having to work hard but it should never be soul destroying or making you miserable every day. Your heart needs to be in it as only then will you be open to seeing how far you have come.
I hope you found this post useful and I’d love to hear your thoughts x.
