While going through life, it’s easy to get so into autopilot of doing what you’re always doing that sometimes you may forget why you do these things and what your goals are.
Create a Mission Statement
Create your own personal “Mission Statement” to remember the who, what, when, where, and why’s of what all the little things you do will ideally lead up to. Instead of always keeping in mind that you’re “stuck in the office all day,” maybe you are “working hard to pay off your mortgage in 10 years instead of 15 or 20″. List out what you want and why you do what you do to keep yourself motivated. There’s a reason for everything.
Set Manageable Goals You Can Accomplish
To go along with the before mentioned “Mission Statement,” take this in steps by setting yourself with “micro-goals.” Consider this: all the little victories may end up with the payoff of what your ultimate “Mission Statement” is. Perhaps if you’re looking to get out of debt, take a note of all your credit card debts and fully commit to paying off one before you move on the next.
Write Down What’s Important
If it’s important, write it down and make a list and stick with it. Perhaps start your days, or begin the night before, with a pen and paper in hand, and list everything that you should get done. If it MUST be done that day, put it at the top. If it’s less important, you’re confident you can accomplish it, and you’re comfortable with attacking it later, then list it at the end. Go through and do everything one by one. Looking at things in pieces that make the whole is much less daunting.
Take Responsibility
Make yourself accountable on everything you do. If you messed up, you messed up. Many people say that you only really fail when you quit or don’t try. On the other side of that coin, if you try and it doesn’t work, then you’ve hopefully learned your lesson and can try again.
Reward Yourself
Reward yourself when things go well! If you did a good job, be proud! If you’ve been saving for the last 6 months to finally pay off some debt, then maybe go out to someplace nice, go someplace fun, take a small trip…. JUST DON’T have too much fun and get yourself right back into the situation you worked hard to get out of.
Use Your Time Wisely
Value your time with everything that you’re doing, unless of course, you’re picking a day to be “lazy” and not look at the clock all day while enjoying a Netflix-binge-watching-super-marathon. Look at your day and realistically look at what you want done, what you need done, and what can be put on hold vs the 24 hours in the day you have. Don’t stack yourself full of tasks where all you have is 10 minutes to scarf down a frozen dinner and while also giving yourself only four hours of sleep. Give yourself time to do things but also give yourself time for leisure and what you enjoy. Always make time for yourself as you should enjoy your own company!
Reflect
Finally, take the time to occasionally review yourself. Take a look at how you’re doing things and if everything that you do is sufficient. Another thing many say is that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. If something needs to be different, find a way to make that difference.
See you next month!
Alex Hoosz, PEI
