Adding a new goal to your life can feel exciting—until you realize it doesn’t just fit into your current routine. Something has to shift. That’s where the real challenge lies, and it’s also where most people get stuck.
We often tell ourselves, “I’ll start when things calm down” or “I’ll wait until I have more time.” But let’s be honest: life rarely calms down, and time doesn’t magically appear. If you wait for the perfect moment, you’ll wait forever.
The truth is, making a goal happen means making room for it. And yes, that’s going to feel uncomfortable—maybe even rocky—before it starts to feel natural. But the discomfort is part of the process. It’s a sign you’re growing, shifting, and stepping into the person you want to become.
Why It Feels So Hard at First
Your current routine is your comfort zone. It’s a series of habits and patterns that feel familiar, even if they’re not moving you closer to where you want to be. Adding something new—whether it’s meal prepping, a gym class, or a morning meditation—disrupts that flow.
It’s not supposed to feel easy at first. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. In fact, the “scratchiness” of change is proof that you’re creating space for something new.
When I first started really looking at what kind of fitness I wanted and what my at that time current routine was, I saw a huge disconnect.
I would "take class" at the gym...maybe. If the class had room in it, if I didn't have anything else I "needed" to do. Sometimes I would start class and then attend to other things that "needed my attention. All the "needed" is in quotes because that is what I thought was more important at the time. More important than my fitness. As a gym owner it was easy to get distracted and feel the need to do all the other things that the business needed from me instead of the harder choice of focusing on me.
So after I did make the decision to focus on what I needed, it was hard. It was rocky and it took a lot of help from my coaches, my workout buddies and me. Embracing that it was going to be hard, keeping my focus on something as super simple as just making the Commitment Club in that first month (truly my first goal to get me on track), and recruiting help and support were the things that truly made the difference. Now it's just a natural part of my day and feels scratcy or weird when I don't take class.
So here are some tips for you. I want you to have the same success with your goals as I had with mine. As I continue to make goals for myself these are the things I use to make them happen.
-Coach Tiffany
Tips for Making It Work
Here are some genuine, simple strategies to help you push through the transition and make your goal a part of your new routine:
1. Start Small
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Begin with one small, manageable step that aligns with your goal. If your goal is to work out more, start with two classes a week instead of five. Small wins build momentum.
2. Identify What Needs to Shift
Time is finite, so something in your routine has to give. Maybe it’s swapping an hour of TV for meal prep or waking up 30 minutes earlier for a workout. Be honest about what you can let go of to make room for what you want more.
3. Plan Ahead
Set yourself up for success by planning your week. Block off time in your calendar for the actions that support your goal, just like you would for a work meeting or a family obligation.
4. Stack New Habits onto Existing Ones
Link your new habit to something you already do. For example, if you’re adding a stretching routine, pair it with your morning coffee or your evening wind-down. The existing habit acts as a trigger for the new one.
5. Find Your “Why”
When it gets tough—and it will—remember why you set the goal in the first place. Visualize the result you’re working toward and remind yourself why it’s worth the effort.
6. Get Support
You don’t have to go it alone. Share your goal with a coach, a workout buddy, or a supportive friend who will encourage you and hold you accountable when the going gets tough.
7. Embrace the Messy Middle
Understand that it won’t feel smooth right away. Give yourself grace to navigate the ups and downs, and commit to showing up even when it feels imperfect. Over time, what feels forced will start to feel like second nature.
Becoming the Person Who Achieves the Goal
Here’s the most important thing to understand: achieving a goal isn’t just about the result. It’s about becoming the person who does the things that lead to that result. It’s about choosing the goal—even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable—until it becomes part of who you are.
That transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It happens in the small, daily decisions to keep going, to keep showing up, and to keep prioritizing what you want most over what feels easy in the moment.
The Reward is Worth It
Yes, it will feel rocky at first. Yes, you’ll have to make tough choices and shift your routine. But every time you take a step forward, you’re proving to yourself that you’re capable of more than you thought. Every time you make that decision you are keeping a promise to yourself.
So if you’re feeling that initial resistance to change, instead of letting it stop you, lean into it. That’s where the growth happens.
And when you finally settle into your new routine, you’ll look back and realize it was all worth it—not just because you achieved your goal, but because you became the person who did.
Need Help Making Room for Your Goals?
At WildFire CrossFit, we’re here to help you navigate the messy middle and make your goals a reality. Whether it’s personalized coaching, nutrition guidance, or a supportive community, we’ve got your back every step of the way. Get a strategy session scheduled so we can help.
Let’s get started. 💪
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