My husband asked me that question recently with regard to my weight loss goal. Three years ago, I had successfully worked off (I don't think "lost" does it justice) about 50 lbs, but last year I started slowly putting it back on again. As a result, I have an unwanted 40 lbs that I've been carrying around. Unfortunately, according to the national average, I'm not alone. Current statistics reveal that over half of our population is above the healthy weight range for their bodies.
When I first heard the question, "Are you serious about your goal?" my natural reaction was, "Of course I am!" But then I stopped to think about it. Am I really? Or am I just giving that particular goal an occassional nod, pretending to be serious about it behind the disguise of on-again/off-again diets and irregular exercise programs?
What about you? What goals have you been putting off for "someday." Have you fallen into the trap of saying, "I'll have time to do that when my kids leave home," or "I can afford that when my husband gets his promotion," or "My life is just too busy right now!"
Do you have a book inside you, but haven't set a definite goal for writing it? Get serious about that goal and take action...TODAY! Start gathering research, outline your ideas, set aside time to write two pages a day, get a proposal off to a publisher (or purchase your ISBN if you're going to self-publish). Big goals are accomplished one baby step at a time. Make a plan and commit to it.
What about that trip you've always wanted to take? Have you set a date for when you're going to travel? I don't care if it's two years away, set the date and figure out how much money you'll need to set aside out of each paycheck so that you don't have to charge your vacation. Get on the Internet or go to the library and learn about the places you want to visit. If it's outside the country, go ahead and get your passport. Two years will fly by quickly if you're taking consistent steps towards preparing yourself for that trip. Otherwise, it will never happen.
Maybe your goal is to go back to school and get your degree or specialized certification in your field. Your goal might be to completely declutter your house and experience how renewed your spirit can feel in calm and serene surroundings. Or like myself, you might be frustrated by midlife weight gain. Whatever your goal, ask yourself, "Am I really serious about accomplishing this?" Don't wait another day. Take action now.
When I finally confronted my lazy attitude toward my weight-loss goal, I resolved to meet this challenge with the same determination and single-mindedness that I've used in meeting other goals in my life. Failure is not an option! That day I went online and found the closest Weight Watchers meeting and scheduled it in my daily planner. Then I called a friend and set a date to go rollerblading. We now meet at a local park after dinner several evenings a week. On the days she's not available, I go walking with my husband in our neighborhood. I have a specific goal and a date by which I expect to reach my goal. Am I serious about my goal? You bet I am!
What have you been putting off? What desires (that's all goals are without a plan of action) are you not taking seriously? It's not too late to get serious...take that first step today!
Action Steps:
- Determine which of your goals would have the biggest impact in your life if you actually got serious and developed a plan-of-action for reaching it.
- Take the first baby step toward putting that plan into action. Make the call, buy the supplies, do something that tells your subconscious mind that you're serious! Don't put it off another day!
- Make a list of at least ten reasons why you absolutely must reach this goal and what it will do for you to have reached it.
- Track your daily efforts toward reaching your goal. Create a list of small rewards for taking the baby steps needed each day. Then plan how you're going to celebrate your accomplishment when you've reached your goal. For some of you, reaching the goal will be all the reward you need (as in taking that dream vacation).
When I'm rollerblading on the trail, writing in my food journal, and celebrating each week's small victory, I will be thinking of each of you and wishing you well on your own individual quest. Whatever it is, do it for you. You are in the process of creating the life that you deserve...and you deserve the BEST!
Enjoy the journey!
Ask the Coach
Q. Last year I lost my job due to downsizing. Along with it, I lost my social life and many good friends. I have been unable to find another job because it seems that everywhere I look, they're hiring younger, less experienced applicants. I believe it is a money issue because they don't have to pay them as much. I've tried doing some temp work, but it only serves to remind me that I don't have a job in my field anymore. I really miss the relationships and camaraderie that I had with my colleagues and clients. What do I do? (Sally C.)
Christine: First of all, Sally, you are not alone in your experience. Many women have found themselves in a similar situation to yours and have run into the same type of obstacles - companies hiring younger, less experienced applicants at a reduced salary. However, I like to view obstacles as opportunities in disguise. Might this be a time for a career change?
Take some time to list all the aspects of your former job that you really liked and felt very confident about. Now use your list of skills, abilities, talents, interests, and accomplishments to see how you might create a new career that would encompass many, if not all, of these areas of personal giftedness. God might very well be using this as an opportunity to get you out of your rut and move you into an area that would allow you to live out the purpose that you were uniquely created for!
As for your social life, why not take a class or pick up a new hobby where you could meet other people with similar interests to yours? Join a volunteer organization where you could work alongside others and build the camaraderie that you miss from your former job. Many women enjoy traveling with all female tour groups where they develop lifelong friendships.
Your life is not over just because the job you've known for so many years has come to an end. This is just the end of one phase of your life! A new, rich and fulfilling life is waiting for you if you'll just open your eyes to the possibilities.