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by Kim Jackson of PeaceLoveandPrettyThings
So you have a dream that you want to bring to life. You imagined it, you
told your best friend about it, you added it to your vision board…now
what? Now you plan. The only way to bring forth what you really want is
to set solid goals and action steps that can help you account for how
close you’re coming to achieving it and how much work you have left to
do. Here are a few practical steps that can help:
Get organized.
Obtain a daily, weekly or monthly calendar and set priorities around
that same time frame. What do you want to have accomplished this week?
This month? Having it in writing, and being able to consult your plan
will help to keep you on track. With it right there in black and white,
you’ll know exactly what you’ve done—and what you haven’t.
Obtain a daily, weekly or monthly calendar and set priorities around
that same time frame. What do you want to have accomplished this week?
This month? Having it in writing, and being able to consult your plan
will help to keep you on track. With it right there in black and white,
you’ll know exactly what you’ve done—and what you haven’t.
Begin long-term planning.
Where do you want to be in a year? Three years? Five? These are
important questions to answer for yourself. Having clarity around where
you want to be and what you want to be doing makes it easier for you to
fight to get there. You won’t waste another year going through the
motions and wondering at the end of it why you still feel stuck in a
rut.
Where do you want to be in a year? Three years? Five? These are
important questions to answer for yourself. Having clarity around where
you want to be and what you want to be doing makes it easier for you to
fight to get there. You won’t waste another year going through the
motions and wondering at the end of it why you still feel stuck in a
rut.
Check in on your goals.
Many people reflect annually on what they have done, for better or for
worse. But why not check in every 6 months, quarterly or even monthly?
Checking in more frequently acts as a mechanism of awareness; you can
tell very quickly if you’ve been spending time on things that are
aligned with your goals and make adjustments where necessary. Rosetta at
the Happy Black Woman blog does a great job of self-evaluating on a
monthly basis to ensure that her activities are aligned with the best
life that she envisions for herself. (Click here to check out her clarity reflection for May.)
Many people reflect annually on what they have done, for better or for
worse. But why not check in every 6 months, quarterly or even monthly?
Checking in more frequently acts as a mechanism of awareness; you can
tell very quickly if you’ve been spending time on things that are
aligned with your goals and make adjustments where necessary. Rosetta at
the Happy Black Woman blog does a great job of self-evaluating on a
monthly basis to ensure that her activities are aligned with the best
life that she envisions for herself. (Click here to check out her clarity reflection for May.)
Get a mentor. Find
someone who is doing what you want to do, and ask them to be your
guide. Don’t expect them to do the work for you—but you should use them
as a sounding board for ideas; ask them where to network or what
industry groups/organizations are the best ones to join; get advice
about how best to approach issues such as legal, taxes, how to set up
your business etc. You’re going to make some mistakes along the way—and
some will be vital and necessary to the development of both your spirit
and your plan—but having someone who has already had a measure of
success at what you’re striving for can help you to make fewer ones that
could derail you completely.
someone who is doing what you want to do, and ask them to be your
guide. Don’t expect them to do the work for you—but you should use them
as a sounding board for ideas; ask them where to network or what
industry groups/organizations are the best ones to join; get advice
about how best to approach issues such as legal, taxes, how to set up
your business etc. You’re going to make some mistakes along the way—and
some will be vital and necessary to the development of both your spirit
and your plan—but having someone who has already had a measure of
success at what you’re striving for can help you to make fewer ones that
could derail you completely.
Be honest with yourself.
Be honest about what you want and what you don’t want. Be honest about
how hard you’re working on the tasks attached to your goals and where
you could give more. After all, by slacking or pretending to be giving
your best when you aren’t, you’re hurting yourself and deferring your
dream. And why would you want to do that?
Be honest about what you want and what you don’t want. Be honest about
how hard you’re working on the tasks attached to your goals and where
you could give more. After all, by slacking or pretending to be giving
your best when you aren’t, you’re hurting yourself and deferring your
dream. And why would you want to do that?
*************************************
PLPT
is co-authored by Kim Jackson and GG Renee with the intention of
connecting with women through messages of self-love and personal
freedom. We believe that true beauty starts on the inside and
radiates outward, so maintaining emotional health and balance
should be an essential part of every woman’s beauty regimen. We
use this platform as an opportunity to share our personal
experiences, and to help other women who are seeking guidance to
find their own truths and live fabulously.
is co-authored by Kim Jackson and GG Renee with the intention of
connecting with women through messages of self-love and personal
freedom. We believe that true beauty starts on the inside and
radiates outward, so maintaining emotional health and balance
should be an essential part of every woman’s beauty regimen. We
use this platform as an opportunity to share our personal
experiences, and to help other women who are seeking guidance to
find their own truths and live fabulously.
I try to believe in myself but it is something I still struggle with I am 22 because of my father and his words that put me down they still are embedded forever in my memory. I try not to make long-term goals because when I try to plan ahead or think beyond something always happen health, my mothers and mines and other things. I am organized but hopefully I can make my dreams come true even if it takes longer to do so.
Megan Montgomery
This article is right on point, I know I at least use short & long term goals & organizational skills to better benefit my family as a whole since its just not about me anymore. I try my best to reach for goals that are attainable & that make sense to the life I live now & want live in the future. A very well written article, thank you.
Brooke B.
I agree with this article 100%. All dreams can come true if you put in the work and believe in yourself. It will not be easy, especially in the beginning but following the steps above is definitely a good start. Very well said! 🙂