Get to Your Goals

By Elizabeth Schulman

Two years ago, I became the mother of a beautiful baby girl. At the same time, I also became a woman with a burning desire to chart the unknown territories of this next part of my life. I knew that my first priority was to be able to be home and raise my daughter, yet, at the same time, I longed to find something I could do part-time once my daughter grew up a little. I began to explore the things I enjoyed, then identified what I wanted to do and made a strategic plan as to how I would get there. Today I am thrilled to be home with my daughter and also teaching four yoga classes a week at a renowned yoga studio. I am enjoying my life more now than ever before, largely because I made my own dream come true. I feel like I have it all.

It occurred to me that getting to this point required no miraculous mix of ingredients, no secret trick to getting what I wanted. Instead, I created a very organized and logical approach that worked for me and can help others achieve whatever goals they are seeking to fulfill. That goal may be to lose ten pounds, change careers, move to a different city, or just master a new hobby. But whatever the goal, applying the following principals can bring you closer to your dreams.

Figure out exactly what you like and want. This step may actually be the step that takes the longest, depending on where you are in your life. It took me over two years to figure out that I wanted to be on a path that involved natural health and spirituality, but also allowed me to work around my daughter's schedule and would eventually allow me to be my own boss. Once these qualities were identified, I was able to narrow down what I was interested in and arrive at yoga. The choice now seems so obvious to me, but getting there took a lot of soul searching. Make lists, read a lot and talk with people you are closest to if you are unsure about which direction is right for you. Eventually, it will become clear what you want.

Write down achievable short- and long-term goals. Don't simply decide you're going to become a famous actress by the fall and expect it to happen. Give yourself timelines and small objectives to achieve along the way. For example, "Within one month I will find an acting class that interests me", "Within two months I'll have my headshots taken", etc. Break down your overall goal into manageable bites that you can tackle one at a time. This way, your process will not seem so overwhelming to you.

Identify your sources. There are tons of resources out there for you, no matter what your goals are. Find local organizations, magazines/books, classes, websites, etc. that will help you further your goal. Then narrow down these resources to the handful that are most compatible with your vision, personality, etc. and focus on these resources as your primary source of information. Likewise, talk to people who have done what you'd like to do, or who have accomplished their own goals, and find out their approach. Anyone out there can be a resource for you if you keep an open mind.

Be diligent...and patient. You must be disciplined and you must be committed to your goal in order to achieve it. It may not always be easy but a true commitment will help you persevere. By the same token, don't expect everything to happen overnight. Allow yourself to enjoy your life while pursuing your goals, rather than putting everything on hold until you get there. Remember that life happens when you're making other plans.

Enjoy the process. Measure your success by rewarding yourself everytime you achieve one of your smaller objectives. Each achieved objective brings you that much closer to your dream. You will also find out things about yourself along the way that could prove very valuable to you. Once you have achieved what you want in life, the feeling of accomplishment is priceless. Relish every moment of getting there. It's well worth the trip.

Elizabeth Schulman, M.A. has a masters degree in stress management from Goddard College and a masters in health education from Columbia University. She is a yoga instructor and a full-time mother.