Life Goals - Getting Back On Track

When we start out in our adult lives at the age of 18 we are loaded with the raw energy of youth with the dreams to match that energy. As life’s expectation is levied upon us however we get educated, get jobs, get married and get children and suddenly some of us end up in a place we didn’t foresee that was not part of the plan. We feel that we have wandered off our path. It’s easy at that stage to become disillusioned but fear not because it’s never too late to achieve your goals. Never.

When we were young, ah those were the days! Remember that feeling of strength in your body and the energy you had for each day and the optimism for the future? Somehow it gets drained from you as you get older by the requirements of family, career and other core elements of being a human.

By the time many people get to their forties they feel like life has passed them by. I am here to tell you this is not so. In fact think about it, you may not have the energy or enthusiasm you once had as a 20 year old but you have something now that you did not have then .... its called experience. They say life beings at forty and your experience is why this is so. No matter what you did with your life in the intervening years between 20 and 40 you will have learned a substantial amount about lots of things.

For me it was sales, business and people as the jobs I took were always technical sales type jobs in my 20’s and 30’s. Later I became a software designer so I learnt much about that. While all this was going on I had two sons and learned many lessons about being a father and being responsible. I had set up several companies and successfully sold two of them. I had another business that caused me all sorts of stress during the most difficult period of my life when a business partner tried to rip me off while at the same my father passed away and my relationship with the mother of my children failed.

All these things, every single one, good or bad left its mark on me just like the things that you went through in your life did. It’s called your life’s experience and it is unique to you, it’s your story and it’s what makes you the person you are. So rather than let these things distract you let them strengthen you. After all that which does not kill you makes you stronger.

The key to getting your goals back on target, a key that you hold in your hand, is to stop a moment. That’s right, stop... Why do you think you went off down the wrong path in the first place? Probably because you did not stop and make sure you were on the correct path to your life goals. Maybe you were too busy in your job, being a father, mother or friend to others.

When did you last take the time to sit down and plan your goals? Successful people who are financially independent take time each and every day to review their goals and the tasks they need to complete in order to reach their goals. They do it as a matter of course, habit even.

So that is what you must do. Stop rushing down any path that is presented to you and focus on where you are now relative to where you want to be. Then draw a goal map that explains how to take you from the place you are now to the place you want to be. Sketch it out on paper and try to fill in the gaps between the start and finish line.

As you travel along this goal map stop and get your bearings to ensure that you are on track for your goals and re-estimate your arrival time. Keep doing the tasks you have identified and look for problems along the way that are stopping you from progressing. Solve these problems and then quickly move on. Use your life experience to your advantage and keep going closer until you achieve your goal.

Time is shorter and more precious when you are 40 compared to when you are 20 so use your time wisely as it can never be returned to you. Invest time in your goals and also in yourself. Relax and enjoy the process, make it a habit and have fun. Good luck.