Lately I’ve been reflecting about life. As I get older, I truly understand that tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone. I think that it is increasingly important to be intentional about how we use our time given all of the demands on daily life.
Just like you, I have a litany of goals that on my ‘list’. I want to run a 10K. I want to travel to Europe and Asia with my family. I want to finish my book. All of these achievements would make important contributions to my health, happiness and growth. But they aren’t urgent, so they don’t always bubble to the top of my proverbial stack in a way that allows me to make consistent progress.
Momentum can be a fickle and inspiration can be fleeting. How can we redouble our efforts to achieve more of the things that we are passionate about? We can often be our own biggest obstacle simply because we fail to start.
Not because we can’t, but merely because we won’t. Start, that is.
Life can be different tomorrow if we take a step forward today. I know that it is all too easy to delay, defer and dismiss the power of actually doing something. Anything. An idea and an action are two different things.
Considering doing these 3 things whenever your pursuit of goals stalls:
1) Understand your motivation.
You have your reasons for wanting to find a new job, losing weight, expanding your network, etc. If you clearly articulate your motivations (intrinsic and extrinsic), you can return you focus to the ‘why’ you goals matter when things get tough, overwhelming or mundane.
2) Find an accountability partner.
If you speak out loud about what you want to accomplish, you make it real. Knowing that a supportive confidant will ask how things are going without judgment or criticism will keep you moving forward. Consider working with a personal coach, or connect with a trusted friend for this purpose.
3) Commit to the process.
Rome wasn’t build in a day, and your heart’s desire won’t be necessarily be checked off in short order either. Honor the fact that you’ll likely need to invest your energy consistently and over time. Keep your eyes on the prize, but celebrate small victories along the way.
Your personal goals matter so treat them (and yourself) with respect. You have everything that you need to move forward right now.
Engineer Your Bliss Challenge: Revisit one of your stalled goals and take action (start!) to move it forward.
What are you waiting for? What is holding you back when it comes to pursuing your personal goals? Please share in the comments below.
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