How do you set goals so that you
are living the life you want? It can seem overwhelming and difficult, so many
people put it into the too hard basket. Four years ago, I separated from my
husband and became a single Mum. Three years ago, I decided to take control of
my life and consciously move towards my "ideal" life. Taking into
account that there is always room for improvement, I am happy to say that I am
90% of the way there. How did I do it? It was surprisingly simple once I had
made the decision that I wanted to be happy living my life.
Step
1: What does your ideal life look like?
Take a good hard look at your
life. Now think about the life you want to live. I am not talking about the
glitzy jets, and owning more Rolex than you have arms. I am talking about
connecting with your friends, volunteering, pursuing that hobby, enjoying time
with your special someone, building your career (or perhaps an Empire...notice
the capital "E"?). If I told you that it would all be over tomorrow,
what would your life's regret be?
For example, after separating and
moving back into town, I was renting a cheap two bedroom unit, with no backyard
and mold in the laundry. I had no friends, as I had lived out west on a farm
for the last six years, and had gradually lost touch, or outgrown, what friends
I did have. I was in a three day a week job that had no scope to improve my
skills, and it didn't provide me with the work/life balance, or the
satisfaction, that I craved. It was all in all a pretty dismal existence.
What I wanted was a life that would allow me
time with my daughter, work satisfaction, and enough money to purchase
somewhere for the two of us to live, save for my little one's schooling, and
still being able to have ice-cream when we go to the park. I wanted friends
that I could spend time with, with similar interests, who are good humans.
Mentally, and physically, I wanted to be fit, and strong, so that my daughter
has a good role model, and a healthy Mum.
Step
2: Identify the obstacles to being your ideal you
Now, grab a piece of paper, and a
pen, and write down everything that you think could be holding
you back. Is it your age? Is it your income? Is it time? Concentrate on why
you don't do the things that you want to do, rather than why
you are doing what you currently do.
My obstacles were a lack of
income, social networks, and profile in town. Never one to sit around and feel
miserable, I decided that things needed to change.
Step
3: Plan to change each obstacle, one at a time
The list becomes a blueprint for
your goals list. Each thing that is holding back is something that needs to be
changed. Too old too start again - change your perspective to "I'm running
out of time to start again". Can you increase your skill level,
reputation, or employment to earn more? Working smarter applies for those of us
who need more time in our lives.
Put a time line on each obstacle
so that you can track your progress. Acknowledge that they won't all be able to
be changed at once. For example, you may want a career change, but you have a
young family and so you can't afford the pay cut. Is it possible to study, and
save, until the children are older and then switch careers with minimum fuss?
The first thing I did was
increase my income by delivering pamphlets around town on my days off. This achieved
two things; it meant I could save a deposit for my unit, and it also increased
my fitness without me having to pay for a gym membership. Sure, it wasn't
necessarily the funnest thing in the world, pushing a pram with a toddler
around a hilly suburb, but it kicked two goals at once.
Secondly, I networked like a
Queen Bee. This let me meet people, raise my profile, and eventually led to the
friends I have now. I also revived old networks that I had before moving out to
the Farm, and put a plan in place to up-skill by studying at night time. All of
this led me to the position that I have now, which at four days a week, allows
me the work/life balance that I need as a single Mum, remunerates me well
enough that I could drop the pamphlet delivery, pay a mortgage, save for
education costs, get a gym membership, and most importantly provides me with
the job satisfaction that I crave.
By taking one realistic bite at a
time, and putting a plan in place, you have something to aim for, and more
importantly, you are always moving forward towards that ideal you.
Find Erin* at Achieveit
Financial Planning, or call for an appointment on 07 4638 5011.
*Authorised Representative of
Securitor Financial Group Ltd ABN 48 009 189 495 AFSL 240687
This is general information only
and does not consider your personal circumstances. You should not act on any
recommendation without obtaining professional advice specific to your
circumstances. We recommend you speak to a financial adviser before acting on
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