How to Stay Motivated to Achieve Your Goals When Progress is Slow
Have you ever felt that sinking feeling when your hard work doesn’t seem to be paying off? You’re doing all the right things, putting in hours of effort, and yet the results are nowhere to be seen.
It’s such a tough place to be, and I know how discouraging it can feel. But I also know that there’s so much purpose to be found, even in those waiting seasons.
The truth is setting new goals and taking action toward them can be exciting but staying motivated can be challenging. Especially when your hard work isn’t paying off as quickly as you’d hoped. It’s normal to get frustrated.
There are times when you’re making progress but it’s hard to see. In this article, we’re exploring How to stay motivated to achieve your goals when progress is slow. These are practical steps and faith-filled encouragement to help you keep your focus, faith, and momentum strong even in seasons of waiting.
Motivation is important because it pushes you to crush your goals and encourages you to keep moving forward. But how do you keep that energy going when you’re not making progress? You’ll get some great ideas with these 10 Strategies to stay motivated when your progress is slow.
These are effective ways to build your character, build a growth mindset, and reach better results. You’ll stay focused, keep your faith strong, and maintain forward momentum, even when the progress you’re hoping for seems just out of reach.
When you do the hard work but progress is slow
First, let’s lay some groundwork. This feeling of unmet expectations is something we all encounter. Whether you’re just starting out in your business, building a side hustle, or pursuing a personal goal, we’ve all experienced the heartache of working hard only to feel like we’re not moving the needle.
We usually look for obvious physical changes but sometimes it’s the emotions, habits, and attitudes that have changed. This might not be immediately obvious but it doesn’t mean it’s not there.
Sometimes change can be subtle so it’s important to see and acknowledge the smaller steps you’re taking.
As I was reflecting on this topic, I thought back to my own journey and the life lessons from running that I’ve applied to my life. Years ago, I set a major goal: to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I put in countless hours of training, early mornings, and long runs. But the progress? Oh, it was slow.
There were days when I felt like I wasn’t moving forward at all. And yet, looking back, those periods of slow progress taught me resilience, patience, and trust in a way nothing else could have.
In this blog post, we’re going to pull from two core pillars of this podcast: Faith and Planning with Purpose.
When we start something, we often set high expectations. We might think, “If I put in the work, the results will come quickly.” But as anyone who has pursued a big dream knows, it doesn’t always work that way.
It’s easy to fall into self-doubt, frustration, or even fear that we’re just not cut out for this journey. Those feelings are valid, and they’re part of the experience.
In these moments, I remind myself of God’s word.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Romans 12:2.
This verse reminds us that we’re not meant to follow the world’s timeline. When everyone else says, “Hustle harder!” or “Why aren’t you seeing results yet?” God’s invitation is for us to focus on renewing our minds and trusting His perfect timing.
I want you to know you’re not alone. You’re not failing just because you can’t see the finish line yet. Instead, I want you to consider that maybe—just maybe—this season of waiting is where God is doing some of His best work in you.
How to stay motivated to achieve your goals when progress is slow
Setting goals is inspiring and exciting. Especially when it’s a New Year’s resolution. Everything seems possible at the start of the year. You set fitness goals, financial goals, spiritual goals, and career goals.
But by March you’re tired, overwhelmed, and discouraged. There’s no evidence of the hard work you’ve put in and you feel like giving up.
The truth is one surefire way to reach any of your goals is to just keep going. But staying motivated when results are slow is one of the biggest challenges on the journey to your dreams. The important thing is just don’t give up. These are 10 Ways to Stay Motivated to Reach Your Goals when progress is slow.
Trust in God’s Timing
We each have dreams and goals we’re pursuing, whether it’s building a business, growing our family, or working on something close to our heart. But let’s be real—those dreams don’t always happen overnight. Sometimes, we have to push through long, dry seasons of waiting and wonder if it’s all worth it.
So what can we do? The first step is to trust in God’s timing.
This is one of the hardest things we’re called to do especially when our own plans don’t seem to match up. We set specific goals, to plan, and to expect results. But God? He sees so much more than we do.
While we may see only the current moment and what we hope for, He sees the bigger picture—every step, every delay, and every blessing along the way to our ultimate goal.
It’s often in these delays that God is preparing us, refining us, and helping us become the people we need to be to handle what’s coming next. This becomes a solid foundation for the long-term success we desire.
This perspective has been so helpful for me, especially in my own business. There have been seasons where I felt stuck or questioned why certain things weren’t happening.
But looking back, I can see how those times gave me exactly what I needed. They helped me grow in my faith, build resilience, and trust that God’s timeline is always better than my own.
One example that comes to mind is when I first launched my online business. I thought success would come quickly—after all, I was pouring in the hours and doing all the “right” things.
Instead, things were slow, and I had to lean into trusting that God had a plan, even when it wasn’t clear to me. That period of waiting taught me so much about surrendering control and finding peace in God’s presence.
If you’re struggling to trust God’s timing, I encourage you to take a moment to pray or journal about it. Write down one or two areas where you feel anxious or frustrated. Name those areas, and then ask God to help you release them. Surrendering these areas through prayer or journaling can be such a powerful practice.
Remember Your “Why”
When progress is slow, reminding yourself of your “why” is a great motivator. That initial reason that made you set goals and dreams you desire to achieve matters. That bigger picture has to stay front and center in your mind. Why is this goal so important for you or your family? This reason has to be deep and meaningful.
Do you have reminders of it that you can see maybe in your notebook, journal, computer, or on a vision board? Looking at this daily is one of the best ways to stay motivated and not give up. It’s the anchor that will keep you grounded and moving toward the long-term success you desire.
Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
Perfection is one of those tricky things. We often think, “If I can’t see big results, it must mean I’m failing.” But what if, instead of chasing perfection, we celebrated the small, incremental steps we’re making each day?
I used to be caught up in the idea that every goal had to be “all or nothing.” Either I was achieving it, or I wasn’t. But through my experience as a runner, I realized the power of small wins.
Every time I improved by just a few seconds or ran a little farther, it was a win. Those small victories add up over time, and they’re worth celebrating.
Celebrating the small victories or milestones you reach on the way to achieving your dreams is such a confidence booster. Taking a step back to acknowledge what you’ve done makes you gain perspective. Rewarding yourself increases your energy levels and gives you something exciting to look forward to.
For example, if you’re on a weight loss journey and you’ve reached some of the smaller targets like taking a daily 30-minute walk or eating your target number of vegetable servings per day, it’s a reason to celebrate. You might not have reached your ultimate goal yet but you’re certainly on the way.
Celebrating will help you stay committed to your goals. Treat yourself to a day out, spa day, or a new outfit. You’ve done the hard work and earned it.
In the same way, whatever you’re working on—whether it’s a business goal, a fitness goal, or a personal goal—each small step forward is progress.
Smaller, short-term, achievable goals give you a sense of accomplishment and it’s easier to see the progress you’re making. These realistic goals and manageable milestones help you build momentum, and keep you inspired and motivated toward the vision you’re going after.
For the moms, maybe it’s finding 15 minutes to work on a passion project, even with all the demands of home life. For entrepreneurs, maybe it’s landing one small client or making one sale, even if it’s not the huge breakthrough you’re hoping for. Every little step matters.
Here’s something I’d love for you to try: create a “progress journal.” Each day, write down one small win, no matter how tiny it seems. Take a moment to reflect on that. Write it down, celebrate it, and thank God for it.
Over time, this practice builds gratitude, resilience, and a real appreciation for the journey. It’s a reminder that God is working on the small things, even when we can’t see the full picture. Keep pushing toward your goals because every step counts.
Focus on Habits, Not Results
You may not be able to control the results you get, but you can control the habits that will help you reach your goals. When you focus on building the habits of successful people, you’re guaranteed to get the results.
The habits that have become part of your daily routine will keep you motivated and remind you that you are making progress. Sticking to your habits and daily activities in difficult times is a win in itself.
For example, if you’re a prolific writer whose long-term goal is to write a book one day, start with smaller goals that allow you to develop a daily writing habit. This could be writing a page or two daily on any subject of your choice. When you make this a habit and part of your to-do list, it will be a great way to achieve your end goal.
Be Patient and kind to yourself
The reason why some people quit on their long-term goals is because the road is filled with disruptions and challenges which can slow down your progress. But it’s important to remember that each person’s journey is different and the progress you make is not the same as someone else’s.
Be kind to yourself and give yourself grace. There’s power in words so positive self-talk is key. At the end of the day, slow progress is still progress. Things might be moving at a slower pace than you’d like but eventually, you’ll get there.
You’ve come a long way. Reflect on the personal growth you’ve experienced, and the setbacks you’ve overcome to get to where you are. There’s no reason to beat yourself up because that will not help you stay motivated.
You’re going to have days where nothing goes right. You’re going to fail. Your ideas will be rejected. But even if you’ve experienced failure, you can choose to take the lessons from the situation and try to be better in the future. Develop a growth mindset and keep taking steps every day.
Albert Einstein said, “Failure is success in progress.”
It’s also important to be patient and understand that change happens gradually so you need to trust the process. With hard work, consistency, and dedication, your dreams will come true. As long as you stick to your goals, the results will eventually come.
Surround Yourself with Support
There are so many things that can stop you from achieving your goals and dreams and one of them is trying to do it all alone. The reality is you need like-minded individuals to share your wins and struggles with. A strong support system can help encourage, strengthen, and motivate you even when the progress you’re making is slow.
This can be a friend, family member, workout buddy, or online community with similar goals. You can also consider hiring a coach who will ask you the hard questions and keep you accountable, show you the way, and assist you every step of the way.
Your support network is a powerful tool that makes the journey feel more enjoyable and can show you the progress you’re making even when you’re struggling to see it yourself.
An accountability partner or supportive community is one of the most effective strategies to help you stick to your goals. They can give you positive feedback to help you stay on track and keep you motivated, especially on tough days when you’re struggling to find your drive.
Find the Joy in the Journey
The pressure to realize your end goal can become so overwhelming leading to frustration or burnout. The journey towards your dreams and goals will not be smooth sailing. There will be roadblocks and setbacks along the way.
That’s why it’s important to enjoy the journey to your goals and not be fixed on the final outcome only. There are lessons you’ll learn, people you’ll meet, and new experiences along the way.
Do your best every day and remember that being consistent is more important than being perfect. When you do this, you’ll gain momentum, make progress, stay motivated, and stick with your goals in the long run.
Visualize What Success Looks Like
Visualization is an effective way to help you stay motivated to achieve your goals when progress is slow. Imagine yourself after you’ve reached your goals. What will you look like, feel, and experience?
For example, if you’re on a fitness journey and have set health goals for yourself. Visualize how you’ll feel when you reach the goal weight you desire. How will having better health positively affect you?
Holding onto the thoughts and pictures of what success will look like in your mind fuels your commitment and desire to move forward to crush your goals. It also helps you stay positive even during tough times.
Track Your Progress
How do you measure the progress you’re making toward your goals? Set measurable goals and then use different ways to track them such as an app, tracker, photos, or your journal to give you tangible evidence of your efforts. But be flexible and willing to adjust your goals when things aren’t working.
If you don’t give up, over time you’ll start to see patterns and improvements. This is one of the best ways to stay motivated and keep going forward even when progress is slow.
Keep Taking Action, Even When It’s Hard
Finally, let’s talk about taking consistent action, even when it feels hard or pointless.
I know how easy it is to feel like giving up when it’s taking a long time for things to move forward. We think, “What’s the point? I’m not seeing results, so why keep going?”
But here’s the thing—all the faithful smaller steps you take are building something. Think of it as planting seeds. Even if you can’t see anything happening above the surface, those seeds are taking root.
When I started my business, I had so many moments where I felt discouraged. I’d put in hours, create content, and wonder if anyone was even paying attention. But I decided to keep showing up, to keep taking small steps, and to focus on the process, rather than the immediate results.
And over time, those small actions began to build momentum. People started reaching out, I connected with clients, and opportunities began to unfold that I hadn’t anticipated.
So if you’re feeling tired or frustrated, I want to encourage you to keep going. Remember that every little step of obedience is part of a bigger story.
To help you stay consistent, try creating a simple checklist of easy tasks that you’ll do daily or weekly. They don’t have to be big—just small, intentional actions.
Set intentions for the week, focusing on what you can control rather than the immediate outcomes. Over time, you’ll see the impact of these faithful, consistent efforts in your daily life.
To wrap up, we’ve learned that setting goals is exciting but consistently doing the work to reach those goals in the face of challenges and slow progress is tough.
We’ve explored How to stay motivated to achieve your goals when progress is slow. First, we need to trust in God’s timing, remember our “why”, shift our focus from perfection to progress, from results to habits, and be kind to ourselves.
We also need to have support groups, visualize success, find joy in the journey, track our progress, and commit to consistent action, even when we can’t see immediate results.
This waiting season might be one of the most formative times of your life. God uses these seasons to refine our character, deepen our faith, and shape us into the women He’s calling us to be.
Remember, growth doesn’t always look like big results; sometimes, it’s happening quietly behind the scenes. So stay faithful, stay present, and trust that God is at work.
If you’re longing for a community that will support you in this journey, come join us in the Red Hot Accountability Club. This is where we encourage each other, keep each other on track, and celebrate even the small wins together.
You don’t have to do this alone. Learn more and join us at redhotmindset.com/rha
Find community and coaching support inside the group coaching membership so you can lean on others and be inspired to continue working on your goals in the season you’re in with the capacity you have – ditching the stress and hustle altogether! (and ditching social media for business if you want to!)
You CAN work your goals into your lifestyle without sacrificing everything to achieve them.
If you are looking for a positive online community and group coaching experience, come hang out with us in the Red Hot Accountability Club!