The soft side of reaching objectives gets a lot of press. This blog has been no exception. Anyone who knows me has heard me speak on more than one occasion about setting goals and imagining your optimal outcome. It makes sense because people ranging from military leaders to sports psychologists can demonstrate that most accomplished goals start with clear visualization.
However, at some point visualization must turn to action or it's just idle fantasy. Last year I posted about taking advantage of free time or a flexible schedule to lay a foundation for future goals. This can take any of a wide variety of forms depending on where you are now and the situation you are trying to create.
For example, if you are planning to start your own business, you can and probably should do some research. In fact, the more you do, the better prepared you will be for the transition. But, at some point, the research has to turn into action. Creating the business structure, opening a bank account, creating a website, and so on. In this day and age a lot of these actions can be taken online, from the luxury of your home office.
Maybe you're not ready for that kind of action quite yet, or perhaps when you bail you're not planning on opening a business. What other "actions" can advance your goals? Here are some ideas.
Classes - There may be classes you can take to prepare you for your leap. In some fields of endeavor certifications may be advantageous or even required. Why not work toward those now? If something is preventing you, take action to clear the path for yourself.
Volunteering - Depending on your area of interest, there may be opportunities to volunteer with local institutions or nonprofit organizations. Volunteering provides a great opportunity to gain experience and network with people in your industry of choice. Is there a trade show or expo associated with your bliss? Make time to attend. Better yet, find out who is exhibiting and contact them, offering to volunteer for a shift or two in their booth. Donating your time now could prove to be a great investment.
Moonlighting - If you can create the opportunity, nothing beats actually working and earning a little money in the field you want to pursue. Obviously, you have to balance this with the terms and policies of your current employer. But, if you can work even a few hours a week at what you enjoy, you are better positioning yourself to make your move on your schedule.
Ultimately, action begets action. When you take that first step toward your dream, you are creating a little momentum. So, take time to visualize your outcome and plan your steps. But, turn that thinking into doing as soon as possible!
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