Like so many people, I struggle with getting things done, especially if it makes me feel like work to me. It’s a real struggle especially when I retired from the military years ago. I battle with laziness. I know if I can admit it, I am recognizing it, and ultimately I can change it. Like a cost analysis, I assess my productivity by conducting a goal analysis. Its simple. Let me explain.
On many occasions for instance, I love to run to my favorite book buying spot to browse the books. I use browsing loosely because I can always find something to buy. I have many books at home, not to mention a library reading list that will definitely take time to read through. What I have to do for myself is redirect my impulse to run to the store towards something that will actually get me closer to creating a legacy for my family. I know that just buying more books will not get me there.
Awareness is the first key to conducting my analysis. I ask myself this: “is what I want to do going to get me closer or father away from my goal?” If the answer is no, the next question is: “what action can I do right now, that will?” I realize it just a simple matter of redirecting my energy and focus into more productive activities that will get me closer to what I want to achieve in life rather than what I want to buy throughout life.
In life, the most precious gift we have been given is time so don’t waste it on contemplating what your “not” good at. Take time and take an inventory list of all the things you are good at. What make you you. Once you have your list, keep it handy. Life starts to open up when we play to our strengths, rather than your weaknesses.
In one of the books I read, it stated that we can not connect the dots unless we look back. Looking back is good once in a while, but your future is in front of you. Learn to reconcile and appreciate all of the events in your past because they have made you the person you are today. That means the choices you make today, will lead you to the person you wish to become tomorrow. How cool is that? You can become the master of your fate and the captain of your soul!
At some point in time, we all have to take inventory of the baggage we have picked up and have been carrying throughout this journey called life. I found if we learn to identify ours and put down the ones that belong to others, the journey gets easier. I encourage you to sort through the bags you’ve been carrying, find your baggage and let others carry their own.
Here is a sad truth, for years I would wear undergarments that were worn out and had holes. I made sure everyone in my family was taken care of but never invested the same energy into myself. I looked great on the outside but was holey and tore up underneath, until I raised my standards. Self-esteem can be the biggest deterrent to achieving success if left un-examined. Raise your standards by first paying attention to how you talk to yourself. Would you talk to a friend the same way?
It is not the quantity of followers a person has but the quality of content that the person provides that matters. If you know that what you are providing is quality content and information, eventually people will take notice. Consistency is the key and a self discipline not everyone has. Trust the process.
When we stop and look at some of the actions of those close to us, you may realize that they really do have the best intentions for you. What they may not realize is that if you do not do what they expect you to do, it does not mean you are lost. There are many roads that lead to success and not everyone will travel the same path, and that’s okay.
Sweet N Social 