You Are Worthy of Your Dreams

You deserve the opportunity to achieve your goals. It sounds funny, doesn’t it? We live in a world where we’re constantly told that we don’t deserve anything, and sometimes that means we forget this simple truth. Life is faster and busier than it’s ever been before. Many people are finding that they simply don’t have the time and energy to do it all. If we can’t have it all, we have to pick and choose what is most important to us. And, no matter what, you deserve to pursue the things that are most important to you.

Why You Should Have a Goal:

Goals create a sense of purpose; they give our lives direction and meaning. Goals can also be an incredible source of motivation and fulfillment. Research suggests that there is a positive correlation between setting goals and achieving success. As a human being, you are worthy of success and fulfillment. Setting goals can help you find what matters the most to you and put you on the right path to achieving your dreams.

Prioritize Your Goals:

In his wildly successful personal development book, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, Greg McKeown avers, “If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.” Oftentimes, we get so caught up in social obligations and busy schedules, we forget to schedule time for our goals. In fear of being seen as selfish, we tend to push our wants aside any time something else comes up. Before we know it, our plate is already full with other people’s priorities. If you really want to set a fulfilling goal, the first step is getting clear about your priorities.

How to Set the Perfect Goal:

To get clear about your priorities, start by making a list of things that are important to you. How can you turn these priorities into goals? Maybe reading is a priority for you. You can turn this into a goal by using the S.M.A.R.T method:

S: Specific – What exactly do you want to accomplish?

M: Measurable – How will you know if you’re making progress?

A: Attainable – Is this a realistic goal? 

R: Relevant – How does this help you become the person you’ve always wanted to be?

T: Time-Bound – What is the deadline for achieving this goal?

 Setting a S.M.A.R.T goal might look like saying,  “I want to read 52 books in 2021.” Next, schedule a specific time to work toward your goal. With the current example, you may decide to read an hour before bed every night. This will help you formulate a clear plan for reaching your goal.

You Are Worthy of Pursuing Your Dreams:

From a very young age, we’re taught the importance of being selfless. And it is extremely important to help lighten the burdens of others. However, it isn’t fair to deny yourself the opportunity to pursue your goals in fear of being seen as selfish. It’s perfectly fine to politely decline when someone asks you to do something that will interfere with your goal or the time you set aside to work on it. You deserve to do what makes you happy, you deserve to feel fulfillment, and you deserve to take steps toward future accomplishments. Remember, there is nothing selfish about working toward your dreams!