Article

What's holding you back?

You have dreams, goals, and ambitions – we all do – things we have wanted to do for as long as we can remember and things we have only just discovered we have an interest in. Our dreams, goals, and ambitions, whether clearly articulated or loosely formulated, take up space in our heads and in our hearts. They might be written down on a bucket list, noted in a journal or diary, displayed as a checklist on the fridge, or placed randomly throughout our home or office on sticky notes. Some of us work through our lists in a systematic and structured way. Others of us pick away at our lists when we have the time or resources to do so.

“Just because I liked something at one point in time doesn’t mean I’ll always like it, or that I have to go on liking it at all points in time as an unthinking act of loyalty to who I am as a person, based solely on who I was as a person. To be loyal to myself is to allow myself to grow and change, and challenge who I am and what I think. The only thing I am for sure is unsure, and this means I’m growing, and not stagnant or shrinking.” ~ Jarod Kintz

Regardless of how you tackle your list what really matters is that you do tackle your list, that you attend to your dreams, that you tackle the big, important, and life altering things on your list, and that you give them your energy, attention, and effort no matter how audacious they are. What's holding you back from accomplishing the big items on your list? Not the everyday tasks but the big things you want to do for yourself, your career, or your family?

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover.” ~ Mark Twain

It is easy to get overwhelmed by the enormity of our big goals but it is equally easy to take small steps towards achieving our dreams. Remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day! Looking to move into a new line of work? Spend some time evaluating your skills, strengths, and passions and finding ways to incorporate them into your current work or take a class that is in line with your interests. Contemplating starting your own business? Why not start offering your services or selling your products on a small scale. Want to run a marathon for a milestone birthday? You can always start with training for a 5km fun run. Achieving your goals isn’t an all or nothing exercise. Small and attainable actions get the momentum going and produce big results!

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” ~ Lao Tzu

This year I challenge you to realize you ideal life, to take chances, to make the most of every opportunity, and to embrace and share your uniqueness. Here's to adventure, opportunity, and fulfillment in 2014...and beyond! Happy New Year.

For a FREE 30 minute job search consultation please feel free to contact Paula directly at paula@careerdesignsforlife.com or 780.589.2245.