I attended the Oahu online entrepreneurs meetup last month when I was in Hawaii. It was a really cool group of people there sharing information, ideas and inspiration about how they make a living with various online businesses.
I met a guy who had just quit his job, sold all his stuff and moved to Honolulu to live by the beach and start his own web design company. Amazing.
He and I talked about how productive you become when you force yourself to create. Without the security of a full-time job, now he HAS to hustle. It’s sink or swim for this guy. No turning back. He chose to follow his own dream and now it was time for him to turn it into reality.
Could you do that?
If you wanted to. If you forced yourself to, maybe.
Without any “way out,” people will, more often than not, rise to the challenge and do remarkable things with their lives.
Why? Well, without a “Plan B” there’s kinda no other choice but to pursue your Plan A.
If you’re struggling to make progress on your own dreams and goals, it might be time to start introducing some constraints to force yourself to get going.
What kind of constraints?
Set a Firm Deadline
Give yourself a deadline for when you want to complete XYZ by. Write it down. Put it on your calendar. Set reminders on your iPhone. Schedule all your free time around your dream. Block out your early mornings, evenings and weekends for the next six months. If you’re serious, this is how it gets done. It’s the only way that “someday” will ever be more than a fairy tale.
Create External Pressure
Tell everyone you’re going to do whatever it is you want to do. And tell them when. (See #1.) Announce it on your blog, like Monique at Brown Vegan just did with her new vegan consulting service for moms. Tell all your friends. Talk to your family about it. That way, every time you run into someone, they’ll ask you “how’s that goal coming?” You’ll be embarrassed if you haven’t made any progress, yet blabbed your mouth off about it to everyone around you.
Make One Big Move
Instead of taking baby steps for nine years, you might get further faster by going ALL IN right now. Your One Big Move is the decision that, once you make it, there’s no turning back. Taking this leap will throw you into the deep end of the pool with the sharks. The guy I met in Hawaii made his One Big Move by literally moving. He sold all his stuff and moved to where he wanted to live with an idea and a plan. Your One Big Move might be quitting your job, leaving your partner, selling your house, entering into a formal business partnership with someone or any other decisions that force you to abandon the old life you keep saying you want to change.
How will you force yourself to pursue your goals this year?
Rosetta Thurman is a nationally-recognized author, speaker, mentor and coach dedicated to helping women create their ideal lives.
Hello, Rosetta* I stumbled upon your website, on my search for inspiration*, guidence and such. Is it just me* or what, because, I have yet to hear anyone say anything about having to end a close relationship* in order to pursue life long dreams*/goals*, especially with children* involved, it’s only holding yourself* and others back from their own idea* of how their life* should be, along the way, we won’t please* everyone, not possible. LOL*. Any advice? Thanks* you’re a wonderful* example. :)
I just put in my two weeks notice. So, I can make a dramatic switch in my life. To regain better care of my health and pursue my goals.It was scary to give up that security but I believe a change is coming.
Wow, congrats Kenya! What a huge step. All the best to you in your new journey.
Before I was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease I started up my blog and was on my way to earning a certification in Personal Training and Nutrition and I wanted to offer services to assist people in accomplishing their goals towards a healthy lifestyle. I allowed the disease and a few other bad things that happened put me in a rut–I was thinking there was no way I will be a Personal Trainer and what am I going to do because I know that my Marine Corps will be coming to an end because of this. Well after seeking help from a therapist I regained my drive and have been forcing myself to get back into shape like I was before. I even decided to go Vegan cold turkey because it would just be better for my kidneys and my health overall. While doing this I’m working on my Bachelor’s Degree and studying ACSM manuals so once I’m where I was before I will complete my certification. So what’s pushing me is my desire to set the example for others so I can help them and to stay alive. Seriously.
Whoa, talk about setting the example! What an amazing testimony to how strong we really are and the importance of seeking help from a therapist. I know that just by offering your story you have inspired others here. Thank you for always reading and sharing!
Well thank you for offering a platform like this. I am working through your 31 day reset and even though I don’t really comment it has helped me put things in perspective for me and what I really want in my life right now.
Right now, as I pursue my goals, I keep in mind what will happen if I fail. Stuck living at home, never hearing the end of (unsolicited) advice about my life and my choices. I’ll be stuck; without freedom. It would be one of the worst things to ever happen to me if I failed.
So, I push myself. I get things done as soon as possible, I work my butt off and do what I can with what I have. I’m seeing progress and it gives me hope. I’m trying to learn how to ignore people, but honestly it’s just easier to keep what I’m doing to myself and not tell other people. I don’t find proclamation of my goals (ie: accountability) to be a good motivator for me. I just have to keep my mind focused on what I’m doing and why, and remember the benefits (and the pitfalls) of pursuing (or not pursuing) what I want!
OMG! I was just talking to my girlfriend about this. Do or Die. No in between.