Are you happy with your life? Are you caught up in the day, sleepwalking through life rather than having a plan for your future? Of course, not everyone wants to focus on a goal, and that's fine, but if you feel you're drifting and feel you're missing out, maybe you could ask yourself a few honest questions...
What do you want in life? What would make you truly happy? By this I don't mean what would make you happy for 5 minutes, but what would ultimately make you content? If you had the things you desire, in what way would that change your life? How would it affect others? Is what you want realistic? For example you might say that you really want to win the lottery, but when you break it down, is it the lottery you want to win or simply to be free from financial worries? By looking at it in this way it can become more achievable. You can start looking at the ways that you can help yourself to achieve your goals rather than putting all your hope on the winning lottery numbers.
The next step would be to break your goal down from a year, to a month, to a week, to a day, to an hour, to now in this very moment. What could you be doing right now to achieve your goal? If your goal is financially related, do you really need to spend money on a takeaway when you can alleviate your hunger and be just as satisfied by whipping up something at home. Maybe you could prepare a packed lunch instead of buying a sandwich in a cafe or shop? Over the course of the day do you spend three or four (or more) pounds on cappuccinos when you could make a drink at home or work? All these things add up. A really useful experiment to try is for one week to fight the urge to spend on unnecessary things and instead put that money in a jar and count it at the end of that week. You'll be amazed at how much money you have saved and this knowledge may have you thinking twice the next time you reach for that chocolate bar, magazine or other impulse purchase. Don't get me wrong, I'm not condemning treating yourself occasionally, but sometimes you can reap bigger rewards by limiting unnecessary treats.
Looking further into the future, ask yourself what you can do in the next month to assist you in your chosen goal? Maybe you could explore training opportunities or enrol on a course which could lead to a new job or career rather than staying in a job that's going no-where or that you don't enjoy. Many people tell themselves that they 'can't' do something, when in truth, they are only held back by their self-limiting beliefs or fear of failure. Have confidence in your ability. Do whatever is necessary to put yourself in the right mind-set to make things happen. Spend time with positive people who will be supportive and who will encourage you in your goals. If you still doubt yourself or lack self esteem, it may be beneficial to invest in some therapy or coaching. Believe in yourself and what you can achieve. We may not have the power to re-write our past but we can be the authors of our own future.
