Personal Growth is a Journey
It can last a lifetime
Every day we have a choice about how we are going to live. We can live with goals, dreams and intention, or we can just let life happen to us without any direction.
When we allow life just to happen to us without having a plan, then we aren’t living our best life. We are just treading water and surviving. We might spend too much time watching Netflix and just sitting on the couch.
There are always things we can do to move our goals and dreams forward, even if it is just spending time reading personal development articles online, or researching next steps toward our goals.
It is almost the end of 2022, and it is a time to reflect on everything we have done this year, and the progress that we have made in our lives.
Rest and self-care
Sometimes, when we are struggling, all we can do is survive, and that’s ok. However, once we can get back into a better mind frame, then we can focus on our goals again. Taking time to rest can be productive too.
Making sure that you are taking care of yourself mentally, physically and spiritually is productive, too. It is important to incorporate some rest and self-care into the day every day. This way, you can maintain a healthy attitude, so that you are able to focus on what needs to be done.
It can be hard to focus if you are tired and burned out. This means, taking time to rest without beating yourself up about it. If you are ‘resting’ but feeling guilty and stressed about it, then you aren’t having productive rest. So when you do rest, make sure you do it without feeling guilty. Your body and mind really do need time to recharge.
Focus on your goals
Once you are well rested, and feeling in a positive mind frame, then you can start to focus on your goals. It is good to know what your priorities and values are in life, and then to set goals that align to them. Know where you want to go in life, otherwise you are never going to be able to get there.
You can figure out what you want out of life with a long journal session, a talk with your therapist or life coach, or by making a vision board with pictures of all the things that make you happy.
When you have figured out your priorities and your dreams this way, then you can start to set goals. First, long-term goals. Then, break it down into smaller pieces that you can accomplish on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
Making SMART goals can really help with this process.
According to Mind Tools, SMART goals are:
Specific (simple, sensible, significant).
Measurable (meaningful, motivating).
Achievable (agreed, attainable).
Relevant (reasonable, realistic and resourced, results-based).
Time bound (time-based, time limited, time/cost limited, timely, time-sensitive).
When you make goals this way, then you are better able to measure your progress towards completing them.
I hope that as we near the end of 2022, you can reflect on your priorities and values, dream your dreams, and get ready to set some new goals going into 2023!
Have a blessed day,
Nicole Dake