Setting Your Goals: Getting Ahead Now

Take a long, hard look at what you are doing at the moment. Right now, tomorrow, this week, this year, what are your goals?. Now think where you want to be in five or 10 years’ time. Basically, what do you want to be when you grow up? Is what you’re doing now really helping you get there? Whether it’s your career, relationships, travel or life experiences, some people just get lucky while the rest of us have to fight for what we want to achieve in our lives.

At the risk of sounding like a personal trainer, there are no results without action. Watch “Yes Man” or “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” to get you going but first read these simple points of perspective.

Take Charge

Have a plan. A goal without a plan is just a wish, and once you have developed some sort of plan you can at least move forward in small steps.

Don’t know what to do after your degree? Look into internships and courses in what you actually want to do.

Feel you’re lacking close friends or a special someone? Make an effort to go out and connect with people who interest you. These things can take time but when you get there the journey will have been exciting and worthwhile.

Analyse Your Time

It doesn’t matter whether you’re sitting in a high-rise office or at a shop counter, we all have to pay the bills somehow. Maybe you’re just waiting for an idea, or some time off. In reality, these are just excuses. No one does what they want for their day job right away, they start with a side-hustle. All starting takes is giving up some evenings of crap television.

Fed up that your dream date hasn’t asked you out yet? You need to find them. Is there a hobby or skill you have always wanted to perfect? Scrolling Facebook won’t help. Just set aside an hour or two a day for your dreams. Even your commute can be used to good effect. No, you can’t practise guitar on the bus but you can read about technique or watch tutorials on your smart phone.

Give Yourself a Break

Wallowing achieves nothing. If your aims are social, going out too much can be expensive and far too time consuming. If you’re trying to improve your career, working too hard takes it out of you which itself crushes productivity. Your goals are your own, so set your own pace. You don’t have to worry about “falling behind”. Stop comparing yourself to friends on social media and LinkedIn, and especially to famous people who were your age when they did something amazing. Your time will come.

Time off is important, you just have to treat it efficiently. Scrolling through Facebook is boring and won’t help you switch off as much as going to the cinema might. Treat yourself to fine dining or luxury items from time to time to reward your own efforts. And make your weekends sacred.

Don’t Worry if it Doesn’t Work Out

Chances are, if you still remember the goals you set five years ago you have probably made good progress. If you don’t then you may have moved on to something new and a better, more suitable path. Our aims change all the time and progress is an abstract term. All that matters now is what you’re going to do next.

Stewart Vickers @VickHellfire

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