You have dreams and goals, but they seem impossible to reach?
Trust me, most of the things which seem to be impossible are realizable.
It involves some planning, dedication, discipline and flexibility.
Make a plan but remember, plans will change!
You might have heard the question before “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
I have taken the question and rephrased it to “What do I want for myself in x years from now?” and have been deliberate to focus on the following areas:
- Health
- Wealth
- Relationships
- Family
- Career
- Spirituality
- Personal Growth
FOCUS ON THE PRESENT
The past and future have a tricky way of creeping into our thoughts. The past tries to tell us that our failures define us. The future creates anxiety and takes away focus on our present. Choosing to live in the past or the future not only robs you of enjoyment today, it robs you of truly living. The only important moment is the present moment.
DECLUTTER THE MIND
There’s something a lot worse than having a cluttered home or work space, and that’s having a cluttered mind. A cluttered mind is restless and unfocused. It tries to move in many different directions at once and the result is that very little gets done.
Mental clutter can include all of the following: worrying about the future; ruminating about the past; keeping a mental to-do list; complaints; and so on. Mental clutter leads to congestion in our inner world. It gets in the way of being able to think clearly, and to focus on what really matters.
These 3 action steps have helped me keep my priorities in line.
- I now focus on one task at a time. Multitasking is a myth.
- I limit the amount of information coming in. Too much information clogged up my brain. This includes information I take in each day by reading news, blogs; participating in social media; and so on.
- I set clear expectations. Boundaries need to be set and tested. If you reply to emails late at night and on weekends, people you work with will expect you to be available at those times. We can’t do everything. We can’t say yes to everything. We especially can’t have zero boundaries if we want to have the mental space needed to create things.
CONNECT WITH LIKE MINDED PEOPLE
I figured out long ago that I was happiest when I gave back to my community. My engagement to support several non for profits aligned with my business and my interests. I have focused on creating female empowerment networks in business, philanthropy and international education. I have developed a vital support network for my business – one that I consult when I need advice, support, training or just someone to talk to. And vice versa, my network knows that I’m also there for them. Networking in this way enables me to develop important skills, share knowledge and experience, and actually helps me reduce my anxiety and stress.
SELF CARE
Remember the old cliché? “Take care of yourself first or you will have nothing left to give others.” Hey, I used to struggle to find time to disconnect to take care of my body and my mind. Some weeks I rocked my schedule but others weeks, I missed my check ins. It’s easy to get caught up in the continuous cycle of work, sleep, and more work. Remember, work and sleep will always be there; time you set aside for yourself may not be. Be kind to yourself. Prioritize you, daily. Even 10 minutes a day can do wonders.