How do you create a life that 98% of the people in the world don’t have? By being different. We have all heard the saying that our Mom’s used to tell us, “if your friend jumped off a bridge, would you?” It’s time we all start listening to our Mom’s advice and be different.
I have never been able to understand why people “follow the crowd.” The last thing that I have ever wanted was to be, since I was a little girl, was average and ordinary. No harsher words could ever be spoken to me. Being “different” is something that I have strived for my entire life.
Here are some ways to be different in reaching for your goals and dreams.
- Stop looking for that perfect plan of action. The fact is that there is no perfect game plan – it doesn’t exist. Just make the first move toward your goals and then the next step and then the next one, one step at a time, one day at a time. Get out of your own way and get moving onto your dreams. Your dreams will happen, but not if you spend all your time planning that perfect strategy.
- We all should have time outside of our professional lives, but I believe that too much emphasis is put on being entertained rather that being educated. The average American watches tel-a-vision 4.7 hours a day!! A DAY!! Yet the average American reads, on average, only 1 book per year. Putting too much emphasis on entertainment will keep you from staying focused on your goals and on your success. Spend more time reading, watching and listening to educational/instructional materials that will improve your personal growth. Don’t just watch other people living their lives, go out and live yours!
- Instant gratification is something that we can all become addicted to, especially in this age of instant access. Want a book? You can download it and have it in your possession in mere seconds, same with music, movies, etc. This instant gratification has made our lives a whole lot easier in some aspects. However fast, short-term accomplishments can actually hinder the substantial success that you are striving for in your life. There is nothing wrong with accomplishments that happen quickly, but this shouldn’t be your focus. Everything that we do to get us closer to our goals counts but the journey to success should be thought of as growing a strong base for long-term development. Remember, that if you improve .01% a day – in 1 year you will have improved 100%.
Invest in yourself and in your future.
Live your dreams. It is possible!
Debby