Want to achieve your goals? The first step is to choose yourself. Give yourself the gift of time to do the things you love!
Easier said than done, right?
We are all busy. Work from home (or hybrid), school at home (or hybrid). Chores, family bonding, responsibilities, obligations, drama ... life stuff...
How can you possibly have time to do your want-tos - your creative projects, writing projects, passion projects, marketing, networking - when you are constantly bombarded by have-tos?
Time will never find you. You have to find the time.
Schedule a weekly (or several times per week) appointment with yourself to work towards your goals. It can be 30 minutes a few times a week, a 2-hour block of time once a week, or a mixture. Put these meetings in your calendar, so others cannot take that special time from you.
The activities can change, and if you want to move your appointments around, that's fine. For instance, you are attending an event or coordinating with a friend. But the rule is you can never delete them.
What can you do during that time? The list is endless, but I have some ideas that will get you started.
Here are 8 things you can do when you consciously choose yourself:
1. Recharge. Read a book, meditate, watch TV, play a game, nap.
2. Self-Care. Exercise, cook something healthy, treat yourself., unplug
3. Set or Review Goals. Don't know what you want? Take the time to figure out what that is. (For help with this, check out Your Goal Guide) If you know what you are working toward, use goal-time to review your progress, make lists, and brainstorm new ideas.
4. Write. Finish that novel, non-fiction book, screenplay, poem, essay, or article. Or start something new.
5. Journal. Write for fun, to relieve stress, or just to gather material for your next writing endeavor.
6. Attend Networking Events. You cannot achieve your goals alone. You need your network. Find online events with like minds, and build your tribe.
7. Learn. Like networking events, there are plenty of opportunities for continuing education from the comfort of your computer. Watch YouTube videos, attend webinars, find summits, listen to podcasts. There is so much low- and no-cost information out there, you just need to look for it!
8. Have fun! Sometimes having fun is the best thing you can do to lift your spirits and feel good. Playtime - whether it's crafting, dancing (my fav), practicing an instrument, laughing - is frequently the best use of time!
Make sure to choose yourself on a regular basis, whether you spend this time on a writing project, a fun hobby, or pure-and-simple downtime.
That wonderful, happy, refreshed energy will spill over into all other aspects of your life!
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How often do you choose yourself? What does "choosing yourself" look like for you? Please share in the comments.
How often do you choose yourself? What does "choosing yourself" look like for you? Please share in the comments.
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Btw, the free Master Your Time, Love Your Life Masterclass starts April 12. My session is on April 16. Learn more here.
Debra Eckerling is the author of Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning and Achieving Your Goals. A writer, editor, and project catalyst, as well as founder of the D*E*B METHOD and Write On Online, Deb works with individuals and businesses to set goals and manage their projects through one-on-one coaching, workshops, and online support. She is also the author of Write On Blogging: 51 Tips to Create, Write & Promote Your Blog and Purple Pencil Adventures: Writing Prompts for Kids of All Ages, Vice President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Women's National Book Association, host of the #GoalChat Twitter Chat and #GoalChatLive on Facebook, and a speaker/moderator on the subjects of writing, networking, goal-setting, and social media.
