How to stop making excuses and get going with your life!

We all face this, either we know someone who's always talking about how if they just got that or did this or had this happen or that happen or if things would've worked out better, if they coulda, woulda shoulda been, then they'd get on with their life's goals, dreams, or just plain living. But something is always standing in their path. Or if it isn't them you're talking about, then you're like me and it's really myself, or yourself you're talking about. Here are some tips to help you over that hump and hopefully get you motivated to get moving!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• spirit
• a jogging suit
• some good sneakers
• lively peppy music
• a big friend
• perseverance
• a forgiving spirit
• vision

1. First step, write it down. I'm always saying this, but I wouldn't keep saying this if it didn't work. The truth is, although we might belive that we can keep it all "straight in our heads," the fact of the matter is that nothing means anything until you can put it in tangible terms, that is, writing it on a piece of paper, or getting it on your wordprocessor, or just writing it on a napkin at the local greasy spoon. You have to get it down, what you want and where you hope to get to.
2. STOP Cavetching. Notice how I told you to get the stuff down on paper that you want. I'm not telling you to write down ALL THE REASONS WHY I CAN'T list. WE all have those reasons. WE tell them to our friends, to our bosses, to the checkout person at the local supermarket, to the dog groomer and the gas station attendant and anyone else who will listen, even ourselves about why we can't do something, or won't do something or were never given the chance to be something. So get the cavetching, complaining and btching out of your system. WRite what you know. Do not waste anymore time talking, worrying or thinking about the reasons why or why not...make it happen!
3. STOP. Look at your list. Take it with you into the bathroom, or the restroom at the local diner, or look into the rear view mirror of your car and say to yourself, "I CAN DO THIS. I CAN MAKE THESE CHANGES IN MY LIFE. I CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN!" This is important. You can't believe a thing, than you can't make it happen for you. True, we aren't all going to be the next Amercian Idol if we don't have the talent and Lord knows there are a lot of people who think they can and will, without doing the training or homework, or perhaps not having the raw talent, but we know in our heart of hearts what we are capable of. We must start from there!
4. WRITE DOWN THE STEPS. This is the next all important part. I want you to make sure that you have the steps written down about how you will get whatever it is you want accomplished done. Write down what the steps are. If you want to become a doctor, write down the steps. They could go something like, "1. get High School Diploma. 2. Prepare for the Sats. 3. Take the Sats. 4. Go to undergraduate school and get very good grades. 5. graduate college top of my class. 6. work for Peace Corp in Medical for a summer. 7. work for Hospitals without Borders for a summer as an intern. 8. Ace the MCATS. 9. Apply to Medical School. 10. Graduate Medical School. 11. Intern at local hospital. 12. Become Doctor." NO dream is too big if you have what it takes. And if you don't have what it takes, figure out if you can get what it takes. And if you can, go for it...and if you can't, re-evaluate your life goals. If your goal is just to paint the barn, well our steps would obviously be different.
5. Paste the steps to your goal all around you. Put them on the bathroom mirror and in the car and anywhere you go often. If you want to start dieting, put a card on top of the chocolate cake that's in the fridge. Make it all around you. Live it, breathe it, feel it, wear it, love it. Make it an everyday part of your life. You've got to change your thinking. Whatever it was that was holding you back, has got to change, and change, if you want it to come on the outside, must first begin, Where? I'm tapping my temple. In the head darling! You've got to start from within.
6. Rome wasn't built in a day. REalize this. Give yourself a calendar of events. Don't expect everything to happen all at once. Keep track of your progress. But start immediately. Say, "tomorrow morning I will walk a mile (and progress from there). Or maybe that isn't your first step, let's say you want to stop spending...don't start by saving at the mall, start by changing your habits. If you normally put on QVC and spend hours watching and calling in, or go out to the local department store, change what you do, find something else to do. If you can't think of anything, then volunteer at the local soup kitchen or clothing drive..if you really want to change your life, you have to change the way you do things. If you want to stop watching so much television, or sitting in front of the tube with your play station, you need to have an alternative activity THAT TAKES YOU CLOSER to where you want to be, what your goals are.
7. Plan your success. Visualize your success. Take no prisoners and eat the wounded..or in other words..don't let yourself off the hook so easily. If you make a list of what you want to do, and stick to your plan "NO MATTER WHAT" you will make your way to the place you need to be. Ask youself today if you are bringing yourself any closer to where you want to be tomorrow? REmember, every BIG OAK starts out with a tiny ACORN. See it day by day as a process and eventually you will achieve your goals.
8. Procrastination is fear. Step 8 is to face your fear. What is it that is keeping you from doing what you need to do. Can you do it? Can you get there? Of course you can. Stare down your fear. Abandon all victim mentality. Don't let yourself off with excuses. If you find yourself making excuses for your self, stop it. Say, "you're only saying that because you want an easy out. But I know you better!" Because you do know yourself better. Many people have had it as bad as you or worse, and if they haven't, you can be an example and a role model for people in similar situations as yourself, because we as human beings are capable of remarkable things, even the least of us. It can be done. Look at the Pyramids, or EAster Island, or so many other marvels.
9. There is something greater than yourself. In this universe I believe we are each given a purpose and a gift..and we can make it, together. If we try. If you want to get something done, get off your duff and start moving. Put on your proverbial jogging suit, get out of your chair and get yourself motivated, as only you know how. You can do this.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a plan
• Follow through
• Don't take no for an answer
• Get friends in on your plan to help you along
• Don't ask for the moon when you have the stars
• Be realistic in your goals.
• Most people will try to bring you down or keep you at their level, be wary of them and don't listen to them.
• If you give something up, find something healthy to replace it with (cigarettes/carrots, junk food/heatlh food, rough trade boyfriends/nice boys)