6 Ways You Can Create The Next Chapter In Your Life
Have you wondered what the next great chapter of your life will be? Are you stuck in day-to-day details unable to see how you can climb that mountain to achieve your special goals?
The last few years have offered a plethora of challenges and life learning moments for me. Many of them have been super uncomfortable but all combined to bring me to a jumping off point. I managed to get the courage to go back after over 20 years to finish my Master’s degree in Professional Writing, start a new career as an online content writer and write two books.
And you are no different from me. You can move forward, right now, too.
Whether it’s getting the gumption to begin writing the story that’s been hanging around your head for years or mustering up the motivation to pursue a new career path or even just setting your mind to pointing your life in a new direction, you can get yourself in move-mode by following these 6 easy tips:
Remember That The Best Way To Predict The Future Is To Invent It.
Allow yourself to focus on your most unimaginable dreams. Let the beauty of those possibilities hover over every minute of your day. I used to do this by walking into my local bookstores like Barnes & Noble and imagining my book on the shelves. Now it is!
What crazy, far-fetched idea would you like to become reality? Give yourself permission to dream and find ways to encourage yourself.
Ask Yourself If You Knew You COULDN’T Fail What Would You Do?
Relinquishing doubt by believing you CAN’T fail can be the prod you need to move forward. I applied this principle when I started entertaining the possibility of finishing my graduate degree even though it had been more than 20 years since my last class! I visited the University of Southern California Master of Professional Writing website constantly and reminded myself I had done this before.
Allow yourself to imagine your biggest goals, convinced that they will actually happen. Your mindset has more to do with accomplishing those objectives than anything else.
Find A Support Group And Use It!
To be honest, I was so afraid of being rejected when I thought of re-applying to USC that I actually asked a friend to come over and hold my hand when I made the initial call. I also lined up friends to hold me accountable for the goals I set for myself.
Who do you have in your life that can motivate you and reinforce your goals? Make a pact with them that you’ll support them on their journey as they encourage you on yours.
Prepare Yourself For A Journey You Can’t Plan.
If someone had told me in 2009 that just five years later I would have my Masters, I would be a working freelance online content writer and I would be a published author with two books I wouldn’t have believed it. And yet, through taking one step at a time through various twists and turns that scenario evolved into a bucket list reality.
No journey turns out exactly the way we envision it. But keeping in mind that goals are just dreams with deadlines, you can keep your eye on the final prize no matter what the road looks like.
Practice The Habit Of Remaining Steadfast.
Whether it’s getting fit, finding a new job, or completing that project that’s never been finished, a steadfast commitment to achievable objectives changes a daunting big picture into a workable result. When I struggled to stay on track with my writing, I challenged myself to write at least one page a day and at the end of the week I would allow myself a treat when I had more than seven pages.
Steadfast discipline is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. The process of staying true to your goals is one that will continually lift your spirits and keep you focused.
Be Thankful For The Voyage.
When difficult times come into our lives we can often focus on the overwhelming circumstances of the present. But life is a constantly flowing river, a series of changing seasons – which lends all sorts of possibilities. Truly, if I hadn’t gone through such difficult times in the last few years I would NEVER have achieved the goals that are now in my rear view mirror.
Start every day with a thankful attitude, not just for what has happened up to this point but for the unseen things that will occur to make your life a uniquely incredible experience.
No matter your background, economic situation, education or geographic location, you can achieve just about anything you put your mind to. The question now is — what will you dream up?
Start on your new chapter today by sharing your goal or dream here — the sooner you make it real, the closer you’ll be to realizing it.
