McDowell has dropped to 89th in the world rankings and as is stands, is not in the field for the Masters or the WGC Match Play in Mexico in early March.
"The Masters is not something I'm going to beat myself up about," said the 2010 US Open champion, who is now 37.
"If come Bay Hill (mid-March) I'm not in, I'm not going to add more events."
However, McDowell believes with him playing in Qatar and Dubai on the European Tour and the Genesis Open and Honda Classic in America over the coming five weeks, he is capable of putting himself in contention to earn spots at the World Match Play and Augusta.
"I'm more motivated than I have been for a while. I still have the belief that my good is good enough (to compete at the very top). I have just got to work hard and get out and be calm and believe in myself," added McDowell, who missed out on a fifth Ryder Cup appearance last year.
McDowell says his watchword in the early weeks of the season will be "patience" as he focuses on the whole campaign rather an obsession with ensuring a ninth Masters appearance.
"World ranking is very important but it's a step by step process. Getting back in the top 50 is goal number one and then back into the top 25 and competing in all the major championships.
"How long is the road going to be? It could be a long road or a short road but I'm going to be patient with it.
"The Masters is not going to be the be all and end all for me as my record around Augusta is not great.
"Things like the World Match Play and getting ready for the British Open are also on my radar."
McDowell did achieve five top-10 finishes in 2016 but he admits he "struggled for consistency" for much of the season.
"I felt like when I played well, I did play well and posted some decent finishes but I was inconsistent and missed a lot of cuts."
The Northern Irishman accepts that becoming a father for the second time during the year may have allowed his focus to drift away from his golf.
"Getting married and having children are big steps in life. You never really understand what they are going to do to you from a priorities points of view, a mental point of view and a desire to play golf point of view.
"I think they affected me more than I thought they were going to but I wouldn't change anything for the world. I've got two very healthy and beautiful young kids at home and I'm enjoying that stage of my life."

Although it will focus on the battles faced by writers Jimmy Perry and David Croft, it will also be full of humour.
"It's a bit of a journey for the two guys and there are lots of ups and downs," said producer, Brett Wilson.
"It was very hard for the writers to convince the BBC to commission the series in the first place.
"A comedy about members of the Home Guard during World War Two wasn't very appealing to them.
"But there will also be a lot of humour and we have some great actors involved, including John Sessions who is playing Arthur Lowe."
The drama is being shot entirely in Northern Ireland.
"We are using Northern Ireland crew - all the heads of department ... costume, make up, production, even the accountants are from Northern Ireland," said Mr Wilson.
Locations include Cultra Manor in County Down, Broadcasting House and the Ulster Reform Club in Belfast.
"It's all going really well," he added. "I have never worked here before, so I wasn't sure.
"But it's been fantastic and I would love to bring more productions to Northern Ireland."
Dad's Army was first broadcast in the late 1960s. The original series ran for nine years and included 90 episodes.
It followed the adventures of the Home Guard unit of fictional town, Walmington-on-Sea, during World War Two.
The television series looks set to attract a new generation of fans with the release in October of a movie based on the series.
At its peak, the Dad's Army series was watched by nearly 18m viewers.
Graeme McDowell says he will not frantically chase a spot at this year's Masters as he prepares to begin his season at this week's Qatar Masters.
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A documentary-drama about the making of the Dad's Army television series will begin filming in Northern Ireland this month.