It is a decision. Nothing that you seek to do, will happen merely by chance.
Any goals, targets and dreams you have, won’t happen ‘one day’, if you don’t make a deliberate effort to make them a reality.
I am learning this, quickly.
This applies to the smallest of goals to the biggest of dreams.
Human beings are often caught in the ‘at some stage I would like to…’ trap.
We all have these moments.
We are often not happy about where or what we are, and desire change.
But whatever we want won’t fall into our lap.
So how do we get from where we are now, to where we want to be?
1. MAKE A DECISION
MAKE A DECISION!!!!!
I cannot stress this enough. There are few things worse than someone who cannot decide.
I’m not talking about deciding what you want for dinner. I’m referring to the decisions that matter.
People who are indecisive don’t get things done. Simple.
So make a decision.
You can’t have your cake and eat it. At some stage in your life, you will have to pursue a certain path. This is a fact.
Make sure you don’t find yourself on a path which has been chosen for you!
Life is too short for that.
One of my favourite mantras was written by the American author Henry David Thoreau:
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.”
Mr Thoreau was saying: decide where or what you want, and move in that direction.
People often don’t achieve, because they don’t decide.
2. MAKE LISTS
I write a lot. On computer keypads, cellphone screens, notebooks, random pieces of paper etc.
I do this because it helps me to visualise what I need to do. And when I’m done with it, I cross it off. That’s how I measure my progress.
Sometimes, the ‘at some stage I would like to…’ doesn’t materialise, because you don’t even know what it looks like.
Write it down, see it and aim towards it.
There is nothing more annoying than that thing on the to-do list that hasn’t been crossed off. It must be dealt with. But as long as it remains a figment of your imagination, it will go nowhere.
Use every means possible to keep your goals in focus.
I recently visited the doctor who prescribed some medication. I need to take the medication at certain times of the day. But I know myself very well. I hate medication and if I had it my way, I wouldn’t take it. But I know it is for my own good.
So how do we fix this?
I write it down.
I have alarms that go off at certain times of the day to remind me to take medication.
In the same way, I have calendar alarms that remind me when I have to attend meetings, appointments, coffee dates etc.
You have to be intentional about everything.
3. START SMALL
You’ve heard that a million times before.
That’s because it’s true.
If you can’t hit the small targets, the bigger stuff will be too daunting.
Start with those things that you can literally do TODAY, where you can see instant results.
This may mean, changing your morning routine, or whatever it may be, but it is a start.
So if you don’t like something, live deliberately and change WILL come.
All the best.