If you feel as though your constant work and effort are to no avail, you may not possess a clear enough vision for yourself. Do you take inspired action or have you merely busied yourself with tasks seemingly related to your dreams? Do you know what has prompted you to take action and pursue certain things? Do you take actions solely on the things that are easy or are already in your knowledge base?
Developing positive habits around how you choose to pursue your dreams and the actions you take can help to point you in the right direction.
1. Take action only on ideas that have come to you rooted in optimism. If you begin a project or task and you are skeptical about the outcome, you should not pursue it. Whether or not it may be a fruitful path for you to take is irrelevant if your dominant feelings about these actions are based in doubt.
2. Carefully evaluate suggestions made from others about how you should do something. Moreover, we must qualify our sources. If this person aspires to do the same things you are aiming for, how can they properly guide you? Ask yourself, has this person done this and are they in a place where I wish to be? It is those and only those who qualify to give you advice and guidance. Consider all others to simply be brainstorming partners.
3. Know your inspiration. Knowing what inspired you or is inspiring you to take action is key. Are you prompted to take action because of need or want? If you answer sounds something like this…”It’s out of need, but only because I need this to get what I want”, stop and re-evaluate. Never take action based off of what you think you need to get what you want. Our only true needs in life will fall under Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, self actualization).
Re-educate yourself and listen for new opportunities that excite you and fill you with feelings of happiness before you begin to take action. It is this excitement that will help you hone in on the things you truly want in life. Use it to build a clear vision for yourself, then begin the relentless pursuit.
Lyndsey Shaffer is the co- founder of the Onyx Six - Women of Color Business Network http://www.onyxsix.com. Onyx Six is a business development network committed to creating a supportive and influential community of minority women entrepreneurs and professionals. Contact Lyndsey Shaffer by visiting http://www.lyndseyshaffer.com.