Why You’re Not There Yet

The end is near for the year and you may have started thinking about the the g-word…GOALS, aka New Years resolutions. No, this is not another goal-setting post. Stick with me for some important advice.

Your good intentions usually last about a week, 10 days if you’re lucky, a month if you’re really dedicated, right? (Be honest.)

It’s really crazy that we all have so much trouble getting what we want, or at least what we think we want. Why is that?

You really DO want (insert your goal here). Chances are It’s a future goal or at least something that will take time.

The problem with future goals are they butt up against immediate gratification every moment of your day.

For example.

Stay snuggled up in this uber-comfy chair and (pick one):

1. read a book
2. watch my favorite show
3. search for things to pin on Pinterest

or

get off my butt and go make something.

I’m guessing that the choice that brings the most immediate gratification wins.

 

How we spend out days is, of course, how we spend our lives.
Annie Dillard

 

Continually choosing immediate pleasure over immediate action towards future goals ensures that your future will look much the same as it does right now. Is that what you want?

Beginning is hard. I know. It took me almost 40 years. I just couldn’t take it anymore. I knew I had to choose future satisfaction over immediate gratification.

Moment by moment.
Day by day.
Week by week.
And yes, year by year.

You can make 2013 the year you stop wishing, hoping, dream and waiting. You can start right now. Just walk away. Right now. Go take one action that will bring you closer to your dream – to the life you want to live. It’s that simple. Just a momentary choice that you make every moment of your day.

Photo: A Tale of Twins