Goals are the paving we lay down to follow to the life we truly want. But what happens when we have the path laid ahead, yet fail to move forward?
I recently found myself in this situation and was disheartened by the fact. Sitting down with my goal sheet in front of me, I set about re-evalutating each individual one in the effort to fire up my inspiration and continue to move forward. The following is the process I used to get out of my goal rut and rediscover the meaning each held for me and regaining my focus on my ideal vision of life.
Start by drawing out the goals that seem to continually be unfulfilled and analyze them.
• What was it about this goal that got you excited originally?
• Is it truly aligned with your current vision?
• What are the benefits or rewards for accomplishing it?
You never truly fail a goal till you give up on it completely -- an uplifting fact to keep in mind when you find yourself stuck.
This doesn’t include removing a goal because it is not aligned with you any longer, that isn’t a failure at all. It’s a great thing to be truly honest with yourself and be objective with your goals, rather than holding on to one for sentimental reasons. Cut out any goals that you no longer hold dear, or are for someone else other than you.
If you established from the above questions you still really want this goal, then keep at it!
• Change how you are going about it. Insanity is doing the same thing every time and expecting a different result. Create a new and different plan of attack.
• Write out a strategy. Make a list of every step you need to do to work towards. Pick one of the most vital and start. Do it now!
• Surround yourself with inspiration on a regular basis
Strategizing and writing out each step is a vital element to help your realize a goal. Breaking it down allows our brain to focus on each individual step, hone in on what really matters and overall makes the goal seem a lot more achievable in its more simple components.
For me, time after time “I own a dog” would go unfulfilled on my goals board as the ‘by whens’ kept slipping by. Although a short term and seemingly simple goal, I was always disappointed it went unaccomplished because for me, achieving it would rock my world! Yet, did I ever actually sit down and think about it? It was only till recently I made a plan, I researched and budgeted considering the long and short term.
Now I’m at the point where all the steps are covered besides having a dog friendly place to live. Although the goal passed by, the feeling of accomplishing all those other steps is great and I know I’ve tried and I’m one key step away from making it reality.
When the going gets tough, remember your inspiration and values. Focusing on these will help you center your energies on the positive and empowering. Have them be a part of your everyday life.
• Write out your top goal and have it somewhere you see everyday
• Draw on your mentors and idols for strength
• Write out your 5 most important values. When faced with a decision, ask yourself if it holds true to these values or not.
• Listen, read and watch inspiring stories and documents (I love listening to Brian Tracy’s CD the Philosophy of Happiness)
• Remember who you are doing this for. YOU.
At the end of the day when it comes down to it, what matters most to you is what’s important. Don’t stress yourself with other’s goals or comparing yours to others as this can hinder your energy and integrity to your own values.
One of the most powerful, yet simplest questions that was asked to me once wasL “How are you going to spend your time?”
Remember the choice is yours, how you live this life. Spend it wisely, doing what you love.
