I’m sitting hear listening to “Never Too Late” by Three Days Grace. It’s a cool song, but the lyrics are quite serious. Yet, I think about the words: Never Too Late.
Life has a wonderful way of turning us in different directions based on our choices, emotions, experiences and thoughts. I am continually amazed that through our daily activity we are posed with the same question: What next?
When we clean our house – What next?
When we run an errand – What next?
When we are at work completing a task – What next?
When we have fun – What next?
The list goes on with demands that can clutter our time and energy.
But, what happens when you have a brilliant idea? You’ve made this goal a priority in life. It’s so important that you’ve taken the time to create the plan, invest the money and build the enthusiasm for your new endeavor? Yet, along creeps in doubt, fear, and procrastination – a trio all set to cloud and derail your once meaningful goal. A goal that could change your life.
Here are the Five Steps I use to keep my focus and energy on my goal.
- Clear Vision – I keep a picture (photo, drawing, collage) of my goal. Visualization is a powerful tool to help the mind keep focused. I have different avenues for my goals. For the book I am writing, I have a journal with pictures of scenes, characters, photos of things that inspire me. For my business, I keep pictures of things I want to achieve with the money I make. I also use Pinterest as a way to visualize the possibilities.
- Read/Listen/Watch – I read, listen or watch something pertaining to my goal. This could be an article, chapter in a book, blog, newspaper, video, or magazine. I try to keep off surfing the internet because it detracts from my purpose of staying focused on my goal. For my book, I may read a blog about query letters. For my business, I read about the products I promote to learn more or watch a webinar. For personal goals, I listen to audio books on leadership. (I have a long commute – an hour to and from work. It’s an efficient use of time.)
- Nature – People are surprised that I have this step, but I’ve learned that spending time in nature is important. In my younger years, in the chaos of my life moments, I would travel home to Hawaii to reconnect and work to “keep my feet on the ground.” Just taking a walk, listening to the ocean, watching the clouds float by, and breathing the fresh air is rejuvenating. Spend moments in silence appreciating your surrounding and the beauty of life. Walks, hiking, going to a botanical garden – I love it all.
- Connect With People – Staying connected to positive people in your life can truly help you stay energized and focused. I meet up with a friend who is helping me to edit my book. I love talking about my story with her. For my business, I attend the Sizzle events and listen to my team members personal stories knowing that I will be inspired and ready to conquer my business goals.
- Set Five Tasks – It’s important to take action each day, no matter how you feel. Write down the five tasks you will complete by the end of the day. My tasks today: Review a chapter in my book, listen to my audio book, write a blog entry, help a team member get orders to make assistant supervisor, and reschedule a business event. Remember, you need to ask yourself – What have I done today to move my goal forward?
I know that there are many more suggestions to offer, but this is my priority list: Ways to keep my goal in my thoughts, stress free, shareable, and action oriented.
Good luck, stay focused and remember – it’s never too late.
Mahalo,
Tammy