Things aren’t going my way – Now what?!

Ok so we’re ready to take action on the plan for our goals. You’ve visualized the hot, hot Aussie sun beating down on you while you relax on the beach. You’ve dreamt of immersing yourself in their unique landscapes and wildlife. But out of the blue, disaster strikes!You realize that trip to Australia you are planning to take is going to cost TWICE as much as you thought. How are you ever going to save that much money???

Like anything worth going after, it’s rarely an easy road. You’re bound to encounter bumps and obstacles along the way. One of my favourite pieces of writing is William Ernest Henley’s “Invictus”. What a great reminder to stay motivated. These empowering words make it nearly impossible to be discouraged by an unexpected twist. Henley was a British poet, critic and editor – best remembered for this very poem he penned in 1875:

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

 In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishment the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.


Things to remember as you’re working towards your goals

• Even slow progress is better than no progress
• Be flexible and willing to adapt
• When you get discouraged, write it down. Separate the things that are within your realm of control, take steps towards removing the barriers, and forget the rest. 

 
 
 You deserve the best - Don’t give up!

Making a plan!

If you don't know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else. ~Lawrence J. Pete

Ok, so you know what you want and you know if you’re gonna get there, you’ll need to take some sort of action. Easier said than done, right? How the heck do you achieve the things you want in the most effective and efficient way possible?

You can do extraordinary things if you have the confidence to make a plan and take risks. Don’t fail to appreciate the potential your life holds and the impact that achieving your goals can have. It’s all there for YOU – if you are willing to work for it.

In preparing to attack your goals, try framing them with the SMART model. I work with my employees, at least quarterly, to set personal goals. The SMART model consistently yields amazing results. It helps you articulate the vision you have of your own. There are multiple variations of the SMART model, but it typically represents:

For example, instead of saying "I want to fly to Australia" as a goal, it's more powerful to say "I plan to complete my trip to Australia by June 15, 2012."

From you larger goals, make a list of “actionables” you can start right away. Let’s use the goal above as an example. What smaller actions or steps will get you to your larger goal?

• Obtain/renew passport
• Determine costs associated with flight, insurance
• Save money to pay for associated costs
• Decide whether traveling with a group, partner, or solo
• Choose a date range and book off the time from work
• Etc, etc.... I think you get the picture J

Once I’ve created my list of actionables, I prioritize them and assign completion dates to keep my self accountable. Even if you can check one thing off your list each week, you’ll be making great progress.

Map out your future, but do it in pencil. ~Jon Bon Jovi

Be prepared to adapt as you get closer to your goal. Your actionables may need to be re-evaluated, but whatever you do, don’t stop working towards what you desire – Life is FAR too short to miss out.

Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare. ~Japanese Proverb