Goal-setting can feel like a fresh start toward a new you! The energy you start with when setting goals can carry you through initial setbacks, but there may come a time when you wonder whether it’s time to give up.

4 questions to consider before giving up

1. Have I tried everything?

The answer is usually no; that you’re thinking of calling it quits before you’ve explored all of your options. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the different paths you can take, consider what would make the biggest difference right now – what tiny impactful step could you take to inch you closer to the goal? Measure this against your energy levels, your time and your available resources to determine what else you can give. When you’ve gotten some ideas of what else you can try, break each one down into smaller steps and work on them one by one.

2. Are my expectations realistic?

Do your expectations match the effort that you’re putting forth or are there areas where you could give more? Outcomes are not simply about what you want but also about the practicality of achieving them based on the time and energy you can give. It’s great to dream big, but not at the expense of your sanity and peace so if you find yourself getting frustrated about the outcomes, you may need to stop and reflect on your expectations and align those with your efforts.

3. What have I learned so far?

Stopping to reflect on what’ve you’ve learned can help put things in perspective. You might want to call it quits because you feel like your efforts thus far have been pointless. But, what have you learned that you can apply to the process? Have you discovered new strengths, identified ways to pivot, gotten a deeper understanding behind your motivations? Flexibility and adaptability will help you stay consistent and recognize when you may need to change course or call it quits.

4. Is this still my goal?

Are you lacking motivation to continue because you’re not feeling connected to your goal? It’s good to check in and see whether this is still your goal or whether you’re driving toward, and feeling aimless and uninspired, by someone else’s goals for you. It’s natural for your priorities to shift and for your voice to get crowded out by someone else’s. Reflecting on whether you feel a sense of ownership, intrinsic motivation (motivation to engage because of inherent satisfaction), or societal and familiar pressures can either fuel you to continue or decide it’s best to pursue something else.

Before you give up, pause and reflect. It’s in moments of uncertainty that you can ask yourself these 4 questions to help gain clarity, evaluate your options and reconnect to your why.

Which questions stood out? What other questions can we add to this list?