By: Cathey Foy
Yes, it’s 2022 and taking risks is not what most of us are naturally prone to do. Why, you ask?
Because “comfort” in our lives is where we feel most safe. Staying “in our zone” or “in our lane” is where most oftentimes prefer to be.
However, in order for us to get anywhere with goal-setting, we must start by making a move to take some form of action, even when we don’t feel our absolute best or confident of ourselves.
We all have goals or dreams and for them to come to fruition, we (for the most part) begin with an idea, which will become our vision, which will turn into a plan of action that, ultimately, delivers our desired end-results.
The good thing is that, although we sometimes may have to start over, it’s ok to not get it right the first, second, or even the third time…“simply starting, gets you one step closer”, even if it’s not your best effort or you’re unsure of what you want or need to do. The best part is, it’s ok to start again.
Always give yourself credit and know that when you focus your efforts on taking some form of action, even a small step like writing your thoughts down can help to put you on the right track and establish that you do have what it takes. You’ll be surprised at what results can come from such a simple task.
Developing a routine and practice of reaching our goals is paramount for allowing them to
manifest and helps to move us into a new realm of comfort, although it does take some due
diligence to develop such a discipline.
Below are eight practical steps for working towards accomplishing your goals in this season.
Establish the right type of goals – know that it’s ok to glean bits of influence from others when goal-setting, but make sure the vision is fully yours and not someone else’s.
Map out your plan of action – break the goal(s) down into smaller segments, so that you are not overwhelmed by taking on too much at one time, it’s important to pace yourself.
Set aside time for reflection and visualization – these are moments when you pause to ponder about what it will look like once you’ve accomplished all or part of your goal.
Write yourself a letter – keep it real and authentic, speak to your future self and what you’ve already accomplished (a new house, job/career, relationship, business, etc.) example: I am loving my new home, decorating it has been a complete joy! Think about the color of the walls, the interior/exterior, number of rooms, seated by the fireplace, relaxing in your tub, cooking in your kitchen…you get the idea.
Take some form of action every day – this can be as simple as meditating over your goal(s), create a list of tasks to stay on target for meeting milestones along the way.
Tell others – be selective in this process and tap into the positive energy you receive from those who genuinely support your mission; bear in mind that everything is NOT for everybody to know.
Plan for setbacks – keep the BIG picture in mind and revisit or revise your plan accordingly.
Evaluate your progress – set aside some time to journal about what/who you’re grateful or thankful for, send “thank you” notes to anyone who may have participated in your success or encouraged you along the way…an ounce of gratitude goes a long way!
Remember, “a goal without a plan is just wishful thinking”….In order to get somewhere, you must take real action and, when you do, you’ll be proud of yourself for pushing thru to conquer any obstacles met along your journey.
Remember, “a goal without a plan is just wishful thinking”….In order to get somewhere, you
must take real action and, when you do, you’ll be proud of yourself for pushing thru to conquer any obstacles met along your journey.
Lastly, when you allow yourself to be uncomfortable you also become unstuck…So, get moving and start today. You got this!
___________________________________________________________________________
Cathey Foy is an author residing in the Metro Atlanta area. She enjoys spending time with her two sons, family, friends and acquaintances. Her favorite past-times are movies, crafting, DIY home décor/projects and writing motivational literature.
You can find her book of poetry, Poetic Memoirs, Volume 1: Poems of Love, Hope and Passion, at Amazon.com