Live an Authentic Life to reach Your Goals
The Stanford University commencement speech given by Steve Jobs has inspired so many over the years.
His speech was all about loving what you do.
He said he would look in the mirror every morning and ask himself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I’m about to do?”
Would you be doing something different if you asked this of yourself this morning?
Each day, is what you plan to do getting you to where you WANT to be?
Steve Jobs also said, “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice, heart, and intuition.”
Are you living an authentic life? Do you find your life meaningful and satisfying?
I feel blessed that I have been able to create a life that is meaningful and satisfying. My husband, my daughters, my brother and his family provide me with the opportunity to give and receive love, support and encouragement.
Looking after my health is also of utmost importance as my family history is one that has seen my lost my father, uncle, grandfather too early. My father and uncle passed away at 49 and my grandather at 53 – all from heart disease. I am very aware that life is short.
Being of service to others, giving back to the community is a top priority for me too. My career anchor is ‘Dedication to a Cause or Service.’
By satisfying top personal values, health, family happiness and service to others, I believe I am living an authentic life.
Achievement is something I also value highly. The satisfaction and meaning I gain from achieving my personal and professional goals, and having a goal to work towards gives my life meaning. What about you?
I sometimes find keeping on track a little challenging as daily life, others’ priorities and needs can take over and then I detour from achieving my goal within the timeframe I set myself.
Here’s are recommendations that help me to stay on track and I hope this will be helpful to you too:
Define What You Want
Be specific about what you want and when you want it by. Do your research, get the facts, and be realistic with your expectations.
Why Do You Want It?
What are the benefits of achieving your goal? Focus on the benefits, not just the goal itself.
Make Your Goal Visible
When you have identified what you want and you know that with effort it is achievable, tell everyone about it! Write it down, draw a picture of the successful outcome. Put this visual or this success statement where you will see it every day. This will keep you focused and help prevent you from giving up when things get a little tough.
Organise and Plan
Don’t sit back and hope it will happen. Think about HOW you are going to achieve your goal. What will you have to do? What are the sacrifices that may need to be made? You may not like it but if you can see the benefits it will be easier to take.
Record Your Progress
Make a list of your milestones and tick them off when you reach each one. Celebrate the success of each step. Tell everyone!
Just DO It
At the end of each day ask yourself, “What did I do today to get me closer to my goal?”
Celebrate
When you have reached your goal, tell those who support you and celebrate!
Reflect
How did you make things happen? What was easy? What was difficult?
What could have been even more effective?
Pat yourself on the back and then … set your next goal. The journey is often more rewarding than the outcome so keep journey-ing.
With your goal in mind, and reflecting back to what Steve Jobs would ask himself, look yourself in the mirror in the morning and ask, “Do I want to do what I am about to do today?”
Make everything you do meaningful for an authentic … and satisfying … life.
