As the end of 2018 approaches, I’m reflecting on the goals I had set this year and thinking about the goals I’ll set for 2019. I know I’m not alone in that, and I know I’m not alone in having some goals slip through the cracks of an overly busy and scheduled life. Although the New Year always inspires “fresh starts,” I want to urge you to not give up on last year’s goals and to instead keep moving forward.

I’m no stranger to setting goals; I set weekly, even daily goals for myself and my business. One of the business goals I set for this year was to make Taffi Dollar Entities as lean as possible in structure and workflow. I’m passionate about productivity, so it’s important to me to continue to find ways to help my team do the best work they can. Unfortunately, change—in whatever form it comes—can be one of our biggest obstacles, even if it’s also exactly what we need to move forward. I’m lucky enough to have a very agile team; despite being a smaller business, we’ve achieved a lot and can adapt quickly to new challenges. But even still change is daunting; it can sap our confidence, making it feel easier to give in to the intimidation and simply give up.

I know this is a common feeling both in the workplace and at home. Anyone’s voice can get lost in an organization, especially when that organization has a traditional mindset and holds on tightly to the familiar. Not being accustomed to listening to diversity creates limited perspectives and a reactive hostility to change. This is true in our home lives as well, where men and women can easily lose balance in the face of difficulties. My husband and I went through that when our children were younger, but balance can be achieved and both voices can be heard and respected. We’ve come a long way in prioritizing our relationship, especially now that we work together too. What I’ve discovered in both spheres is that it takes persistent effort to make your voice heard and reach your goals.

With that in mind, ask yourself these questions: How passionate are you about this goal? How dedicated are you to making changes to meet that goal? Sometimes we say we’re dedicated when we’re not truly ready and willing to do the work. Pursuing your goals can be like a troublesome thermostat: sometimes you have to reprogram it entirely just to change the temperature a few degrees.

If you didn’t meet your goals this year, keep trying. It’s easy to get stuck and lose confidence when you don’t feel like you’re moving forward. Just know that you’re feeling that way because you’re in uncharted territory, and that’s important, not just for you, but for everyone who follows you. Keep doing the hard work and pushing forward little by little until your voice is heard loud and clear.