ARTICLES

Goals - Setting & Achieving > The Quitting Zone
By Linda Anderson
October 21, 2010

Have you ever had a goal, worked really hard to achieve it, persevered through the ups and downs along the way, and then at some stage it all seems too hard and you doubt whether you will ever achieve the goal and so you give up?

This is "The Quitting Zone".

The funny thing about The Quitting Zone is that it almost always occurs just before you will succeed. The difficulty is that you cannot see that success is close ... hence why quitting seems like a great option at that point.

The Quitting Zone is a very common stage people go through when striving to achieve a challenging goal - so how do you pass through the Quitting Zone and get to the other side?

  • Re-clarify - Take time out to remind yourself why you want to achieve the goal ... what will be the positive impact. How much do you want it?
  • Don't fight it - If we accept that The Quitting Zone is a natural phase then there is no need to struggle with it. Choose to pass through with ease. Know that this is temporary and your journey WILL get easier again.
  • Celebrate - Take time to celebrate how far you have come. The Quitting Zone is so tempting because we usually forget how much we have already achieved. Write down what you have already accomplished what obstacles you have overcome and use these to fuel your confidence as you make the last steps towards success.
  • Engage Support – Seek out friends, family, a work colleague, mentor or life coach. When things feel tough, it's essential to have other people to give you encouragement and to help you keep focused on the ultimate outcome.
  • Keep Moving Forward - One step at a time. Before you know it you will have passed right through The Quitting Zone.

 

Linda Anderson, Principal Coach of a2a coaching, dedicated to helping people live bold and rewarding lives. Linda has an energetic and direct style of coaching which suits people who like to be challenged. Linda is also the co-founder of Mums on the Go - a website created to support mothers to value themselves as much as they value their children.