There’s a big push towards the narrative of making your own path to success. Well, yes, that is exactly what this entire blog is about. We all start somewhere short of where we want to be though. Otherwise you wouldn’t have anything to work towards. So are you tired of living with the parentals? Do you feel stuck when it comes to finishing school or advancing in your career? Are you still unsure what you are doing with the person you are currently dating? Experts typically argue over which generation is the hardest working or more likely to slack. I challenge you to think in different terms. Each group has it’s own generational trends; some moves may be smarter depending on the market. However, if tired of living a life you feel is lackluster and you are ready to start building your best life from the ground up, here are some easy steps to get started:
- Just do something. You have always had a dream? Well, do something about it. Always wanted to invest? start. Always wanted to create art? buy some paint and canvas and make something. The planets are never going to align perfectly, so if you are ever waiting for the opportunity to be just right, chances are you are never going to move forward with these goals. As you start taking action, you’ll be surprised at how motivated you feel to continue; the likelihood of opportunity showing up is much higher when you are already in motion and others see that you are working towards something. What are you waiting for, start working now!
- Establish SMART goals. Now that you already started moving, use the inertia to start setting up SMART goals. In case you never heard the acronym before, SMART goals stand for goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. It’s fine to shoot for the stars, but something like “I want to make six-figures during 2021” doesn’t really just happen out of nowhere. Grab some pen and paper and write the big goals you have. Once you have these goals written down pick three to five and break them down into smaller tasks. Now you have something to work on for at least one quarter of the year. Oh yeah, I like to divide my year into quarters. It makes me think of a Basketball game and keep the hustle up, while also allowing a cut-off moment to change strategy if need be. But that’s a different conversation.
- Establish a strong WHY. After you have a couple of goals it is time to put it all in question. Ask yourself why. A goal without a purpose is a weak goal. It is important to know your why if you are going to accomplish your goals. That way, when obstacles head your way, you will have something outside of your own mind to keep you on track or keep you motivated. Your why needs to be personal and have a strong personal connection. For example when I decided I needed to purchase my own place and move out, my whys were the following: (honestly)
- I wanted to impress my girlfriend.
- I wanted to have privacy and a place where my girlfriend could visit and we could have alone time.
- I wanted to take advantage of my job longevity and security to lock in a decent mortgage since I had the stats it took at the time for banks to play nicely.
- Join a community. It’s dangerous to go alone! Take this. Join a community related to your goals or if that’s too much just talk about your goals with a friend. Share both your progresses and your setbacks. This will keep things in perspective and keep you accountable as well as help you stay motivated. If you need help with something, tell someone. Chances are that if you are working, and you established goals, and you shared your WHY, people will be very willing to lend you a hand. Your close friends and your family are your biggest supporters already and they probably know people who can help you along the way. Use that extended network to your advantage.
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