In most video games, there is a point in each level or race called a checkpoint. The checkpoint, once you’ve reached it, basically becomes your new starting point if/when you have to start over again. I think the concept of checkpoints needs to start taking setting goals in our life. Here’s why.
Checkpoints are a new beginning point. For example, if you accidentally drive your Mario Kart character over a cliff that you swear came out of no where, you are not forced to start all the way back at the beginning (assuming you’ve lasted long enough to pass a checkpoint) and you are still capable of winning the race. In real life, people tell us to set and achieve goals. Goals are great, but they can also be so defeating if you don’t achieve them. Checkpoints, however, are steps that bring you closer to an ideal end result. And, if you ever hit a bump in the road and get lost along the way, you can always find your way back to your last checkpoint -- the last spot in your life where you had accomplished something that made you proud.
If you set your sights on checkpoints rather than goals, you won’t feel as defeated if you don’t reach it. Instead, you’ll just go back a couple steps and try again. With goals, you go back to the beginning of your level and will feel disheartened each time you have to start over.
Checkpoints are less intimidating. It could be something small that could take you less than an hour to achieve. Setting a daily checkpoint will keep you motivated to work towards something every day. Working towards the same goal for weeks at a time will leave you less motivated and you will be more likely to postpone what you are trying to achieve because you will constantly believe that you have more time than you do. Take your goals and break them into steps. Each step is a checkpoint. Each checkpoint is an accomplishment. Each accomplishment will make you want to continue reaching for more. And, best of all, you won’t be straining yourself to reach things too high too fast.
I’m the type of person that puts way too much on my plate at once which always makes me want to finish everything immediately so that I don’t have to stress about it anymore. Setting checkpoints to make each task and goal easier or less threatening has helped me stay on top of everything I have committed to and doesn’t let me have any excuse to slack or put less effort into any commitment I have made. Having checkpoints just lets you keep on top of what you have to do that day or that week and will make your life a little less stressful without making you have to let go of anything that you are passionate about or anything that you need to do.
