How To Be Encouraged

The beginning of a new year is a good time to consider how to accomplish big goals and dreams.  My new daily planner confronts me with blank pages that want me to answer the question, “What would you like to accomplish this year?”

The answer to that question has much to do with vision.  My vision is that I fulfill my role, as a corporate wife, to the best of my ability, and maintain my priorities.  At the same time, I want to be intentional about stirring up my gifts.  I have to stretch to implement all of my ideas, but I’m encouraged to dare to take steps that develop my talents to achieve my big goals.

Many women have shared with me that they love their role as corporate wives, yet feel that they would like to do something more.  

I believe we are destined to do more beyond our role as corporate wives, within the context of staying happily married.  We know there’s something we can do that is a fulfilling, purposeful, and complementary extension of our priority role.  We have gifts to serve the world that shouldn’t lie dormant.

We can be encouraged to set new standards for ourselves as individuals.   We don’t have to compete with anyone.  We don’t have to take on the goals of others, or do what other people do better.  Instead, we can develop our unique gifts in ways that are achievable and sustainable.

Are you considering a big goal you would like to accomplish in the year ahead?

When setting a big goal, it’s easy to look at what’s in front of you and get discouraged.   The discouragement can be referred to as a limited belief.  Limited beliefs affect your mindset in negative ways, showing up as annoying voices in your head that stop you in your tracks.

Regardless of those negative voices, you have to dig in and dig deep.  Be encouraged to take a small step forward toward your goal.  Stepping forward won’t necessarily silence those voices, but each action you take turns down their volume as you move forward on a consistent basis.

You can be encouraged in spite of what you hear and see.

Once you get started, you have to accept the possibility that, initially, you might—and most likely will—make some mistakes.  You might even discover that you’re really lousy at implementing the goal you’re trying to accomplish.  Over time, you might even fail.

So what?

You can keep working on it!  You can  practice and develop your skills.  Over time, you WILL improve!

Instead of letting those limited beliefs creep in and cause you to lose focus, let unlimited beliefs affect your mindset in a positive way.  Reframe questionable, negative thoughts into encouraging and inspiring messages that will you motivate you to keep going.

Imagine that months or years from now, you’ll look back at today.  Would you regret that you didn’t set out to accomplish your goal or dream?  If so, get moving!  Today is a gift, so value every moment and move toward your goal.

If this quote were inside a birthday card, it might be depressing.  But considered in the context of goal setting, at the beginning of a new year, it reminds us of the blank slate in front of us. This quote can be the catalyst to kick-start that big goal or dream into action.

Time is of the essence!

Your assignment for today, if you haven’t done so already, is to start with your vision.  What’s your BIG goal for 2016?

Write it in ink, on paper.  My BIG goal is _____________________.

A big goal, written down, might seem like a daunting task, but writing it down accomplishes an important first step:  your goal is visible.

I hope you’ll be encouraged by what you see!

How does it feel to look at your completed homework?  Share your goal  in the comments section below, and I’ll be the first person to cheer you on the success!