10 ways to stay focused on your goals

Staying focused on your goals can be a challenge. Between work responsibilities and home commitments,  it’s easy to feel pulled in different directions. So much so that you sometimes forget exactly why you are putting all that effort in.

Distractions are all around but there are tricks out there to help you get past them. Your career goals are really important. Don’t let interferences distract you. 

SkillsTalk share ten ways to help you stay focused on your goals in either the present or future. 

How to stay focused on your goals

1. Allow time to reflect on your ultimate goals.
2. Build some fun into your working week.
3. Have a daily plan.
4. Schedule tasks to suit your work rhythms.
5. Learn some new skills.
6. Take lunch breaks.
7. Call time on social media.
8. Use visual clues to remind yourself of your goals.
9. Stick to healthy snacks and drinks.
10. Switch off at the end of the day. 

1. Allow time to reflect on your ultimate goals.

You won’t have time to reflect on your goals every day. However, setting aside time either weekly or monthly can be really useful. Use this to review your progress against existing goals and set new challenges. Don’t be surprised if your goals sometimes shift - it’s all part of the process.

2. Build some fun into your working week.

Every job has monotonous tasks but even these can have elements of amusement. Allowing your fun side to take over can really boost your morale. It can also help you stay focused. It’s been proven that humour can reduce workplace stress so your laughter will also be good for your colleagues.

3. Have a daily plan.

The best time to set up your day’s schedule is the night before. This can sometimes feel like a chore but it will help you stay focused on your goals. You are most likely to be distracted just before you start working but having a plan can help. Try setting up tomorrow’s work today so you're ready to go as soon as you hit the desk.

4. Schedule tasks to suit your work rhythms.

Most of us are more productive at the start of the day. Once you understand how you work best, you can start to prioritise tasks for maximum efficiency. You might be really creative after your morning coffee or be more thoughtful towards home time. By scheduling tasks to suit your daily rhythms, you’ll be in the right frame of mind to ensure success all through the day.

5. Learn some new skills.

When you work hard, it’s easy to forget your goals. One way to rekindle your interest in your work and career is to learn new skills. Online courses are a great option because they give you the flexibility of studying anytime, anywhere. Another fabulous thing about online learning is that, whichever type of learner you are, it will allow you to use your most effective work methods.

6. Take lunch breaks.

It’s official. Taking a lunch break every day makes you more productive and efficient. Taking a decent break halfway through the day will boost your attitude to work, and help you focus. What you do with your break time is up to you but we recommend a bit of exercise and some healthy nutrition.

7. Call time on social media

Social media isn’t all bad. It offers fantastic networking opportunities and keeps you up to date with the current trends. Learning how to use social media can be a career step in its own right. Unfortunately, it can also distract you from your goals. We’re not suggesting you give up social media altogether but you might like to try limiting your access to it during the working day.

8. Use visual clues to remind yourself of your goals.

Positioning key visual clues around your office space can help keep your goals in mind. These clues could include desktop wallpapers, diagrams, maps, or even objects of interest. Anything that will give you a quick visual kick will do the trick and help you keep focused.

9. Stick to healthy snacks and drinks.

Eating and drinking throughout the day can help keep your energy levels up. It’s important to make sure you avoid the energy spikes and dips that come from eating too much sugar. Drink plenty of water and bring in healthy snacks from home if you think you might be tempted at work.

10. Switch off at the end of each day.

Switching off at the end of a long working day can help you refocus the next day. If you can, try to decide at the start of the day what time you're  going to finish and stick to this. It can also be helpful to develop a daily switch-off routine. This might include shutting your computer down, checking the news, taking a walk or even chatting with colleagues.

Goals are our best motivation

It’s important to remember that our goals keep us motivated. Whether you want to move into an exciting new career or  make your mark in your existing one, focusing on your goals can give you the motivation to keep going.

Make upskilling a goal worth achieving

Taking the opportunity to gain new skills through study is always a good way of boosting your motivation. Upskilled offers a wide range of online courses.  No matter your industry or experience level, Upskilled has a qualification to suit your needs.

Want to keep your focus and reach those career goals? Get in touch with our team today to find out more.

Fi Darby Fi is a professional copywriter based in Devon, England. She specialises in education, careers, travel and outdoor writing and is the co-author of the popular daily outdoor blog 'Two Blondes Walking'. Fi has written three children's books and, when she isn't writing, Fi loves to gather inspiration from long walks, early morning sea swims and winter wild camps.