What are you willing and ready to do in order to make your dreams come true? That’s a big question and takes some personal reflection to find the answers. Will you take a job you don’t like, make sacrifices to go to grad school, drive a not-so-cool car till you can honestly afford a nicer one, or live on a budget and forgo all the extras you want right now? Achieving a successful and fulfilling life is hard work and worth all the effort. It takes sacrifices, determination and commitment, as well as willingness to make mistakes and face your fears head on.
So, what are your goals? Is it to be out on your own, have a good job, get a car, go to college or graduate school, or get out of debt? If you haven’t declared your goals to yourself or anyone else, now is the time to do it! Write down your goals and tell some key people in your life. They are much more likely to happen when you openly declare your intentions. This is one of the many places in particular where a life coach becomes beneficial. If you have conflicting goals, such as having a sporty new car VS paying for school, you will probably have anxiety and dissatisfaction no matter what you do. It’s time to think things through and figure which one trumps the other.
After taking the time for personal reflection, the goals you choose to pursue should reflect your core values. This will help you feel genuine about what you need to do and are willing to do to make things happen. If you are going after the wrong goals for the wrong reasons, you won’t get 100% behind them and you won’t feel satisfied once you reach them. They need to be YOUR goals, not anyone else’s. If you are procrastinating about a particular goal or “should do,” it probably means it’s not the right goal or you are going after it from the wrong perspective.
Whatever goals become your priority will hopefully be reflected in the choices you make. What are you willing to say NO to in order to make those goals a reality? Let’s take the case of getting out of debt or saving for something big like college or a new car. You must be ready to say NO to lots of superfluous spending and YES to living on a budget. As our parents always told us, “Money doesn’t grow on trees.” You may have to postpone moving out of your parents’ home. You might also take on a second job, put away your credit cards, or cancel your gym membership. Think of what means more to you, the big goals or the everyday items. Life on a budget doesn’t have to be boring and painful. You’ll just have to be more creative. Keep an image of the goal you are saving for and it will be a constant reminder of why you are working so hard. Consider making a “vision board,” showing all your tangible goals in one place through pictures, words, and artwork.
And what will you have when you’ve achieved your goals? Are they something that is thrilling, something that will make you proud and excited? Is it something that will change your life and bring you security or influence the career path you will take? These are the kinds of goals that are worth working hard for. Just think of how different your life will BE when you have reached your goals, how different YOU will become on that journey.
Dreams become a plan and the plan is broken down into goals. Do you have what it takes to achieve your goals? Are you willing to do the hard work, make the necessary sacrifices and commitments required to make your dreams come true? Do you believe you can make those dreams a reality? That is the next step on this journey.
Monica Leggett is a personal life coach for women and entrepreneurs of all ages. For information on how she can help you find your life's path, call 203-209-5462 or email Monica@newstepslifecoaching.com
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