Are You Doing Enough?
Outside was dark and brisk. My finger tips felt cold through my gloves. Through the darkness of the morning my breath was visible. Against the pavement my feet flapped as my hat illuminated my path.
It is during these morning runs that my thoughts take shape. I never know what prompts what I am thinking. On this particular morning I asked myself, “Are you doing enough to be who you want?”
You see, I want to be a professional speaker. I also want to market my book, Diet-Free Me: How to Stop Struggling, Lose Weight, and Embrace a Healthy Lifestyle more effectively.
As great of an accomplishment it is to have written and published a book, I am not certain that I am doing enough to fulfill my aspirations.
Looking at your life, do you think you are doing enough to be who you want?
As you ponder that question, read the following suggestions to make sure you are doing enough.
Set goals
Goals are a great way to plot a path to achieve what you want.
When setting your goals give each goal a due date. Yes, it is possible to miss that date, but having a date gives you a target to reach.
For example, the previous blog post described a push goal. My specific push goal was “Publish The Struggle is Real Eating for a Lifetime of Weight Loss by March 31, 2016.”
I missed the target date for publishing my book and the title was different, but I still published the book.
Also notice that the goal was specific. A goal of “publish a book by March 31, 2016” would have been too broad. A target date is good, but having a title was more specific and meaningful.
I share more on goals next.
Write down your goals
Michael Hyatt wrote a great post about the five reasons why we should commit to our goals in writing. My favorite two reasons are because it will motivate you to take action and it will help you overcome resistance.
Trust me, when I was writing my book, there were times when I felt unsure and discouraged. Writing my goals and corresponding actions helped to push me during those times.
Know Your Why
How often do you attach the “why?” to your goals?
Along with each goal, I have also started to include what I would get out of achieving that goal. That idea was something I learned from Michael Hyatt.
The idea seems like common sense, but knowing our why is something we tend to not consider.
Model Yourself After Others
Thus far goals have been the focus to help you be certain you are doing enough to be who you want. Now I will focus on your vision.
We are not always directly exposed to those who have done what we want to do. Do not let that stop you.
The internet and books are your oyster. Use them to your advantage. Learn from and model after those who have successfully done what you want.
If you cannot find that person, model yourself someone who has been successful at their craft.
While I was on that run, names such as Michael Jordan and Thomas Edison came to mind. Both of these men practiced constantly.
Michael Jordan did not start out as a great basketball player. Hours of practicing his craft changed that.
Thomas Edison failed numerous times. Failure did not stop him. In fact, he did not view those failures as failure. He said:
I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
We know how that story ends. He eventually invented the light bulb.
It is because of them that I asked myself if I was doing enough. Both Michael Jordan and Thomas Edison and many others are reminders to be diligent to get to what you want.
Create a Vision Board
Honestly, sometimes I think, “I do not have time to work on a vision board.” In writing this post I realized how valuable a vision board is to your success.
Keeping a vision board handy will act as a constant reminder of who and what you want to be. It is when you see those images of what of want that you are reminded of what you want.
Therefore, it is important to make the time to craft that vision board.
Be Kind to Yourself
Whatever it is that you want to accomplish, always remember that it is a process. You may not always hit it out of the park with all that you want to do. That is okay.
There will be times too that you will get distracted or feel uncertain. Do not beat yourself up. Go back to your goals. Focus on your why. Break down your goals into smaller chunks. Lastly, ask for help.
How Can You Be Sure You're Doing Enough?
Remember that growth is a constant. You and I may not land on what we want immediately, but when you remain diligent, set and write your goals, understand your why, have a vision, and take action on those goals, you are setting yourself up for success.
That is how you can be certain you are doing enough.
Start the Discussion: What to you do to be sure you are doing enough to be who you want to be? Share in the post comments, on Facebook or Twitter.