Self-Actualization - Pursuing Interests

Happy New Year!! As many people make resolutions to do and be better in the new year and then break them by the second week of the year, can I suggest we do something different this year? Let's make SMART goals instead. I learned some things that just make sense and I’ve been implementing them for myself…because you know, I was doing it wrong. See? You can teach old dogs new tricks!  Anyway, since implementing these SMART goals, I’ve already noticed a change in my mindset. Navigating life and accomplishing things in more manageable steps makes life a little less daunting. I have more focus in making moves because these goals are helping me to accomplish smaller goals that will get me to my bigger goals faster. Here’s what I learned about making SMART goals. They have to be as follows:

S- specific – needs to be well-defined with a clear direction of what needs to be accomplished.

M- measurable – allows for some sort of metric to evaluate whether or not you've reached your goal.

A-achievable – a realistic goal that obtainable with your resources, knowledge, and available time.  

R-relevant – important to you and will make an impact on achieving your goal

T-time-bound – locks plan into a specific timeframe for completion.

Not only do these type of goals make sense but they are more realistic than “pie in the sky” or vague goals that I was previously making. Vague direction kinda describes my life before learning to use this method.  I knew I wanted to be successful and had a vague direction but the things I was doing, or not doing, were literally keeping me in a holding pattern.  I'm in the same job, earning the same salary, living in the same rental, for the past...not important, I was spinning my wheels, not going anywhere.  Don't get me wrong, I like my job, it just doesn't provide me with the salary that suits a "successful" person nor will it ever.   I like my rental property, I just don't own it which was the plan but then when we realized we didn't like our HOA or our neighbors, and that plan went in the trash.  Side note: If you're buying in an HOA community, read their rules and ask yourself if you can live with them forever, or at least while you plan to live there.   Can you live with pulling in the trash cans every week by 7 pm or you get fined?  Can you live with your guests parking down the street around the corner if they plan to stay past 11 pm?   Or else get fined?  Can you live with the tattletale neighbors who have nothing else to do but watch everything you do and report you for every little thing?   Don't let trash blow in your yard, you'll get fined for littering in the community. Oops...sorry, excuse my rant. 

Anywhoooo, I was saying that you want to set a course for success doing what you want and love to do.  The saying goes, 'Find something you love to do and then do it for the rest of your life'. My addition to that quote is once you find something you love to do, learn how to monetize it and you won't go to "work" a day in your life.  You'll always love what you do and it won't seem like a job.  This is where the self-actualization comes in for pursuing interests.   Man, do I wish I had learned this earlier in life! Mmhm, I was doing it wrong.  Revisiting the definition of self-actualization, it's "the achievement of one's full potential through creativity, independence, spontaneity, and a grasp of the real world."  I believe I've got creativity, check (also check out the rest of the website).  Independence? Does being a single Mom of 2 boys count? Check. Spontaneity...I'm starting to plan now, so I've mostly lived my life spontaneously.  Check.  The grasp of the real world...I think I have a good grasp after 50 years on the planet but I strive to learn more about the people, places, and things around me to be more well-rounded.  And the people of the world continue to both amaze and mystify me on a daily basis.  Now go out and be amazing!