Elise Anderson is an Authorised Representative, GWM Adviser Services Limited, Australian Financial Services Licensee
Have you been thinking about what you want to achieve in the next 12 months? The next 1-5 years? The following 5-10 years? What about retirement, what do you want that to look like?
When was the last time you took time out to think about what you want, both now and into the future?
Goal setting is important. You don’t want to miss opportunities along the way if you don’t know what you are looking for.
What is your passion? Life is too short to live without passion. Design the life you want.
Take things step by step. Use the power of your mind to keep you motivated. Visualise your goals. You did this at the Women in Sport Breakfast when you created Your Prosperity Picture. You chose images that meant something to you, with your own personal meaning, and put them on your board. Imagine how you will feel once you have achieved your goals. Does it feel good? Then keep going. Remember that the key to achievement and success is in your head. Believe in yourself! If you do, your actions will follow your thoughts. Put your board in a place where you will be reminded of your goals and what you are working so hard to achieve.
If a goal seems too big or too much work, break it down into smaller pieces. An Ironman Triathlete doesn’t just wake up one day and decide to give one a go. They start training – swimming, bike riding and running. Building their skills in each discipline. They may then build up their distances starting with a Sprint Triathlon, moving on to an Olympic Triathlon, completing a Half-Ironman and then finally their ultimate goal, the Ironman Triathlon. They are also not doing this alone. They have a team of people around them encouraging them and keeping them accountable. It is also important that the smaller wins are celebrated along the way otherwise it will be one big long slog to get to that end goal. Reward yourself. It will enable you to refocus and remind yourself why you are working so hard and what it is that you want to achieve.
Don’t wait until the time is right. This is called procrastination. The time might never be right. In the real world there is no perfect time to start. You have to be able to deal with problems as they arise. The best time to start was yesterday. The second best time is right now.
Your goals will change over time. Just because you have a plan now doesn’t mean it is set and forget. You should review this regularly to ensure that you are on track and your plan can change or evolve as you progress towards achieving your goal. Your goals may have changed significantly and you may want to create a new Prosperity Picture, this is good. You are progressing and working towards your goals and living your passion, designing the life you want.
