By Jennifer Olvera

Let’s face facts: Whether your objective is finishing an important project at work or completing a school project, meeting or exceeding goals isn’t always easy. Sometimes, the obstacle feels too huge. Other times, we simply hit a slump or get lost along the way. It’s okay, as long as you’re able to break the cycle and get back on track without losing more ground.

These five tips can help you pick up motivational speed and keep the cycle chugging along – both now and down the line.

Stay Positive

The surest way to burn out is to set unreasonable, insurmountable goals. It makes you focus on what you didn’t do. It’s better to be realistic, challenge yourself, and then reward yourself for small successes.

Track Your Progress

Attaining a goal takes time and requires an ongoing commitment. The last thing you want to do is lose sight of that goal along the way. Create a practical plan, and chart your daily progress, suggests Elite Daily. When you’re able to cross off a goal, it feels like you’re getting somewhere. You should also consider sharing your goal with someone you trust because being accountable to another person is motivation to stay on track. It also opens the door for positive feedback and helpful advice.

Never Stop Learning

Don’t underestimate the importance of continuous learning, whether it’s exploring topics on your own or studying in a bachelor’s or master’s degree program. It stands to reason, really, that being a master of your subject matter boosts confidence big-time, and that’s something that can pay off down the line. What’s more, by taking in all the information you can, you not only learn – you also have the ability to start projects on clearer footing and follow a more methodical path to success.

Don’t Overthink It

Susannah Breslin, a contributor to Forbes, notes the best way to get things done is simply to do them – first one thing and, then, another. She suggests remembering that old adage: It’s about the destination, not the journey. “Keep doing one thing after another thing until you get where you want to be,” she says.

Trust Yourself

We’ve all heard the saying, “Walk the walk.” It’s more than just a saying, though; it can also be a way of life, one that guides you toward goals. Top Achievement, an online self-improvement and motivational community, says that by thinking empowering, expansive thoughts, you help avoid self-limiting behaviors. More often than not, a self-assured person rebounds better if and when setbacks occur.

Jennifer Olvera is a Chicago-based freelance writer.