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Setting Goals

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What Do You Want To Do Before You Die?

What Do You Want to Do Before You Die_ (1).png

What do you want to do before you die? It’s not a light question, but it’s one that we often respond to with light and ambiguous sentiments.

What do you want to do before you die?

“Travel to [cliche tropical location].”

“Sky dive.”

“Bungee jump.”

“Travel to [another cliche tropical location].”

No one ever seems to offer goals with remarkable motives or backstories, or lofty unattainable achievements. What I’ve noticed is, people always list dreams that are absolutely attainable in a lifetime.

To these responses I pose the follow up question, “What kind of steps are you taking to achieve these goals- the things you want to do before you die?” I’m often met with sad stories about a lack of money, a lack of time, or a lifestyle that simply won’t permit them to ever achieve the things their heart desires.

That doesn’t answer my question. Reasons why your dream will never come true is not the answer to what kind of (baby) steps you are taking every day to achieve them.

Why? Why the excuses? Why do we feel like our current situations dictate our forever? Why are we so crippled by the tunnel vision of our day to day to see the big picture? Why do we not believe we have it in us to accomplish the things we ACTUALLY want out of life?

I was raised to believe that I could do anything. It was never a matter of “you can’t” but “how can you?” It was never “you won’t” it was “when you do”. I was taught to outline the steps, and mentally walk through the thought process of how I could materialize what I fantasized about.

If you grew up in a world where no one ever told you can be anything, have anything, or achieve anything, I’m here to tell you that you can. If you were ever led to believe that your grandparent’s circumstances, or your parent’s circumstances, or your circumstances today define your forever, I’d like to tell you that’s a lie. YOU have the power, authority, and control to dictate what the rest of your life is going to look like. You have the ability to take control of your destiny and mold it into the thing that you’ve always dreamt it should be. Your life today is not set in stone. If you don’t like something in your life or about yourself, make a change. Simply make a change. The change doesn’t have to be drastic or grand. A small effort and step in the direction toward the life you want to create, has the potential to change your journey forever.

Why not? What do you have to lose?  If you don’t like the change you made, make another one. Choices are fluid; they’re not made of concrete.

As you conquer the small wins your confidence will grow, and you will begin to learn that you have that power in you too. Once you’re accomplishing the goals that you once felt were so lofty, that will open doors for you to dream even bigger. Traveling to an exotic destination will seem like a weekend getaway in comparison to things that you can set your mind to. Don’t stop dreaming. Don’t let your day to day dwindle your dreams while you’re working toward them. You are better than that.

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