12 reasons to go for your goal right now

As the third president of the USA, Thomas Jefferson, once said, “Never put off for tomorrow, what you can do today.”
Many people reach a stage where they give up on their goals or dreams simply because achieving them seems like an impossible task. We’re always waiting until we have enough money, or it’s the right time, or the kids have grown-up, etc. etc.

The thing is, there is never going to be an optimum time to go for your goal, so do it now! Here are our top 12 reasons for going for your goal now.

1. You cannot live for tomorrow

If everything you want is in the future, that means you’re not living in the present. You won’t focus and appreciate your life now, if you’re constantly thinking about what will one day ‘be’. With that in mind, it pays to take steps towards your goals today. You really cannot achieve what you want unless you put your goals in motion.

2. Create a vision for the future

While you cannot live in the future, there is no harm at all in having a good idea of what you want. The trick is to always work towards it. You can set goals and plans for the future but take action today so that you can realize your future dreams. Day dreaming about tomorrow should never replace living in the here and now.

3. Remind yourself of that vision

When you feel that you want to give up on your goal or your dream, remind yourself of the basic desire you had: to lose weight, to write a novel, to run a marathon, to buy a house, to achieve your degree. There was a reason you wanted that – so check in with yourself every now and again, and remind yourself that every day that you’re committed to your goal, and you’re moving closer.

4. Each new day brings positivity and energy

Get up in the morning knowing that you have at least one goal for the day that will feed into your big goal or dream. Be enthusiastic! Look forward to what the day will bring.

5. Forgive and forget

Past experiences make you what you are. Strive to see them in a positive light. You’re a survivor, you’re doing great things. Don’t let bitterness and resentment spoil your life. Obsession about the past will rob you of positive energy. Move on, look forward a day without acrimony and bad feeling.

6. Not should but will

Eliminate the word ‘should’ from your vocabulary. Should is a word that makes you feel diminished, guilty and anxious. There is no should about your life at all. Should is judgemental and you will henceforth have no time for it. Replace should with ‘will’, ‘want’, ‘desire’.

7. Sometimes the journey is better than the destination

What’s the worst that will happen if you keep going and don’t reach your goal? What will you have lost? The chances are that you won’t have lost anything at all. You’ll have gained experience and learned some life lessons. You will grow as a person. You’ll be able to use what you’ve learned to move forwards to a new goal, ambition or dream.

8. Fear of success

Some people fear success. They fear finishing the novel or their course, for example. Why? Because what will they do next? Perhaps if they achieve their goal they will become responsible for someone or something else. Or maybe they will be disappointed that things aren’t as wonderful as they hoped they would be. Failing can mean you don’t hurt or disappoint anyone, but is that really a great way to live your life? Pick yourself up and move on to the next dream.

9. What would you say to your friend if they were in your shoes?

Imagine the scenario where your best friend decided to give up on their dream. What would you say to them? Would you try and motivate them? Would you show them that potentially if they stuck with it, things would work out well? Or would you say, “Yes, give up mate!” You are your own best friend, so take your own advice.

10. Work towards you goal, because dreams make life worth living

If you can’t imagine a future, how grim would life be? That’s why we have dreams, ambitions and goals. They help us through difficult days and nights. They keep us going when life is tough.

11. You have to do it!

No-one else will achieve your goal for you! Nobody can do that, not your parents, your children or your partner. They have their own goals, so if there’s something you want, you have to go for it yourself.

12. Prove the nay-sayers wrong

You’ll have come across people who say you can’t achieve your goal. You’ll never write the book, or run the marathon, or drive a nice car. If nothing else, you need to prove them wrong. It’s also a chance to be an inspiration to other people, to make your family proud, and above all to make yourself proud!

Remember - you only live once.

Make the most of the time you have. Life is too short. On your deathbed, what will you remember the most? It won’t be the hours you spent in front of the TV, it will be the things that made you happy and the things you achieved. Waste no time, go for what you want today!