I hope that you enjoyed your holidays and your New Year is off to a wonderful start! I apologize for being out of touch last four months. Although busy with exciting client work, I've also been distracted thinking about how to create my new life after the death of my husband in June. It's been over 28 years since I have been on my own. And while I am excited about the possibilities, it can also seem overwhelming. As you know I teach what I also need to practice myself, so it seems like the perfect time to take my own advice. Here are some tips for achieving your dreams, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on what to add:
1) Connect your values with your goals. You'll need to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Results-oriented, and Time-based) goals to achieve your dreams, and if they aren't meaningful and relevant to you, they will not be fulfilling nor motivating. As a result, you probably won't act on them. Get grounded in your values first. What's important to you? Your health? Family? Quality of life? Adventure? Passion? Think about how these goals will help you live your values.
2) Get inspired about how this dream will change your life. Often times, goals are what to "do" in order to "have" something, but also consider who you'll "be" as well before, during and after you achieve your goal. How will you feel? How can you contribute to the well-being of others? Becoming a better human being is always worthwhile in the pursuit of happiness.
3) Consider what you need. Once you know what your values are and who you will be while you are achieving your goals, what resources do you need to make it happen? Do you need advice, support, money, time, materials, etc.? This could also be what you need "less of" as well, like "less responsibility" to free up your time. Then ask for help. You'll be pleasantly surprised how people want to contribute to your dreams.
Before I set a goal, I think about the experience I want to have that is consistent with my values. And by the way, when we go through major life changes, our values can shift. I know that my social relationships are more important than ever after feeling the love and support from you through my life transition. You have inspired me to BE a better teacher, facilitator, friend, and family member! Thank you!
Read below to see how I'm personally acting on these tips.
