It is time to put YOUR dreams first. In this post, you'll learn seven ways to do that...
Your dreams matter but ONLY you can make them count. If you've spent years putting other people's needs and wants before your own, you've created a habit of putting yourself last and nothing about achieving your dreams will change until you replace that bad habit with a new one. It is time to keep the promises you make to yourself...
The most important person to keep your promises to, is yourself. - Unknown
So how do you go from being someone who puts yourself last to someone who puts yourself first? How do you let go of the need to fix and save others so you can finally take on the task of saving yourself? It's simple; it's not easy... and here's how...
Step 1. Identify your top YOU priorities.
The first thing you have to do is identify your top YOU priorities. What's important in your life? What dreams really matter? If you could achieve only three dreams over the course of your lifetime, what dreams would you achieve and why? Put those three dreams in order of priority. Write those down in a journal. (#priorities #dreams #dreambig
Step 2. Assess how you're using your time.
Review your calendar and day planner. If you don't keep track of where you spend your time, get a day planner or use Google calendar or start using an app like toggl.com and track where and how you spend your time for a solid two weeks. Then review it. Where is the bulk of your time going? Whose needs are being met by how you're spending your time? Where do you fall on the priority list of how you've been using your time? Get real with what your life is actually being spent on. #getreal #ownyourtime #priorities
Step 3. Reconstruct your schedule.
How you spend your day tells me how you'll spend your life. If the way that you're currently using your time isn't in alignment with you achieving your top three goals, it's time to completely redesign your calendar. Turn down and get out of any obligations that are not required by you and for you. Tell people 'No.' Create and open up the space that you need to achieve your biggest goals and do all of this while laying down new, healthier boundaries with everyone in your life. No one respects a pushover and if you find that you've been acting as a human doormat for others, it's time to set a new precedent. There is no living your best life if you continue to live by someone else's agenda. #time #priorities #manageyourlife
Step 4. Take care of your health.
There won't be any putting yourself first if you're constantly running on empty. Big dreams require massive amounts of energy. If you find that your health has come last, that you're energy levels are poor, or that you don't sleep or eat well, it's time to take a detour and focus on getting your health and energy levels to where they need to be BEFORE you pursue your biggest life goals. Why? Because while you may be able to shuttle the kids around, do your 40 hours of work each week, and be there for everyone else on an empty tank, your biggest dreams will require a level of vitality and focus that can only be garnered if your health is in the right place. Can you still achieve dreams if your body is sick? Yes but you won't enjoy the results when your health is poor. Do whatever you can to take care of both your mind and body so you are ready for the journey to your biggest dreams. #health #healthiswealth #selfcare #takecareofyou
5. Create a doable plan.
Spend as little time as you need (and, when I say 'little', I mean 2 hours to 2 days MAXIMUM) to create a one page, doable plan for achieving your FIRST big goal. Yes, you may have 3 big dreams but let's get the first one accomplished. Now that your calendar is clear, your mind is focused and you're taking care of your health, create a one page doable plan for achieving your top goal. Print out the plan and make sure you carve out at least 5-10 minutes in the morning and before bed to review that plan EVERY morning and night. Stay connected to your plan and avoid switching to a new goal. Shiny Object Syndrome is real and you need a written plan that will help you keep your focus. #plan #focus #onepage
6. Carve out 2-4 hours a day to work on your top goal.
Your dreams require both time and attention. At minimum, you need 2 hours a day to focus on your top goal or dream. Ideally, I'd like to see you carve out 4 hours a day (6 days a week) to work on your dream. Remember: if you aren't spending time on you, you aren't truly committed to you. #focus #giveyourselftime #youronething
7. Be patient and enjoy the process.
Achieving almost any dream is going to take you way longer than you think it will. So much of our lives is the process so it's important to learn how to focus on enjoying the process. It's also important to be patient with the process of achieving your goals. Staying the course requires that you commit to however long it takes to get there. Be patient. Find joy in the journey and don't give up... #dontquit #staythecourse #bepatient #enjoytheprocess
To change your life, you need to change your priorities. - Unknown
At the end of the day, the only person who can make you THE priority is YOU. Do what it takes to keep the commitments you make to yourself...