Let’s talk about power today. Specifically, the power to create yourself or your business. News flash kid, you already have this.
But do you use it?
I’m sure someone in your life said once, “You can be anything,” or “You can do whatever you put your mind to,” or some version of those phrases. But yet, here you are. How is the dream chasing going for you?
Not to be a Debbie Downer here, but waking up and realizing one day that you are unsatisfied with the status quo happens to everyone. It is the next step that is crucially important.
What to do about it.
You Are What You Repeatedly Do
Your dreams live somewhere over on the horizon. It is the actions you take today that will power your journey.
They say that “you are what you repeatedly do,” and there is a lot of truth to that. If you want to be an artist, you need to be creating. Musicians play music. Salespeople sell. Entrepreneurs create businesses. Writers write.
What should you be doing that you are not?
But to have success, it goes beyond that. In fact, it borders on obsession. People who are REALLY good at something don’t dabble. They are all in. Sometimes, their family and friends might even make fun of them or start saying negative comments about the time spent.
Actions Show Purpose
So are your dreams aligned with the work you are actually putting in every day? Your actions, or lack of actions, reveal exactly how serious and committed you are to the outcome.
I’ll bet that this alignment and commitment to the effort is a good reason you may not be achieving your dreams and goals. You have the power to obtain the success you seek but aren’t using it.
The good news is that it is not too late. Here are three ideas that you can use to get back on track.
Reflect and Redefine
If things aren’t working out how you want them to, it may be time to discover why and what you can do about it. This means being honest with yourself. No blaming. Spend quality time reflecting on the desired outcome, and identify what aspects are not making you happy.
Action Steps:
- Find a quiet and comfortable space to reflect. Make an inventory or audit of the situation. Write it down.
- Consider what aspects of your goals and dreams are unrealized, and try to identify the root causes of your dissatisfaction.
- Explore different perspectives, possibilities, and requirements for redefining your dreams so they align more closely with your aspirations.
- Think “Who,” not “How.” How you obtain the secrets to unlock your dreams may be a mystery. Somewhere out there, someone already knows the way.
Seek Inspiration & Guidance
You probably can’t do this alone. This is 100% ok. While we may feel that we are capable, smart, and intelligent, sometimes getting a different perspective or opinion is incredibly worthwhile.
Action Steps:
- Get more information. You can discover valuable insights from books, podcasts, mentors, or colleagues that have traveled this road before. Anything that relates to your situation can help.
- Find online communities where you can connect with like-minded people who can provide guidance, support, and expertise.
- Seek mentors or professionals who have achieved success in what you are trying to build. Request their advice, or consider working with them professionally to gain insights and shrink the time it takes to achieve success.
Take Action
As they say, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Achieving your goals will take time and effort. Success doesn’t happen overnight. Consistent effort moves you closer to victory, even if the progress is small.
If it matters to you, then it needs to be a priority. “I didn’t have time” is an excuse. If it matters enough, you will make the time.
Action Steps
- Write your idea out in the SMART goal format. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.
- Break these goals into small tasks or milestones to help make them manageable and track progress.
- Develop a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly action plan that includes concrete steps to work toward your goals.
- Regularly review and adjust the Action Plan as needed. Keep asking, “Is this in alignment with my dreams?” If not, change something.
Your Power Takes Time & Effort
Remember, your progress in achieving your dreams takes time and effort. Are you doing what it takes?
How are you measuring your progress?
What has worked for me over the years is committing to work on something daily, even for only ten or fifteen minutes. Carve out the time. I call it “Don’t Break The Streak!”
I’m currently doing this with my Midjourney experiments. I want to learn this AI tool and how it can be used professionally for creatives to use for print. I spend up to fifteen minutes a day playing with a new idea and post my results on social media as proof I made the daily effort.
Some results are better than others, but that’s not the point. The small, daily commitment to learning has allowed me to gain valuable insight and develop a new business venture.
Be patient. Stay motivated. Learn from your successes, but more importantly, from your failures. Seek support from friends, family, or professionals when needed.
Lastly, don’t forget to celebrate small wins! This powers your motivation.
“Knowledge will give you power, but character respect.” – Bruce Lee
“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.” – Mark Twain
“Never allow a person to tell you no that doesn’t have the power to say yes.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Help Support This Blog
While I may be goofing around with AI for some projects, this blog and its contents have been created by me, Marshall Atkinson. I occasionally use AI tools such as Midjourney or OpenAI. Tools are meant to be used, and as a human being, I can control them.
Why am I writing this? To remind you, dear reader, these words are backed by a real person. With experience, flaws, successes, and failures… That’s where growth and learning happen. By putting in the work.
If you are reading this and it is not on my website, it has been stolen without my permission by some autobot. Please report this to me and/or publicly out the website that hijacked it. And if you are trying to copy and use it without my permission, you are stealing. Didn’t your mama teach you better?
If you like this blog and would like to support it, you can:
- Buy a book.
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Also, my basic elevator pitch to you is that I help with “Clarifying effective change.” If you are dissatisfied with your business’s current results, maybe I can help.
Please schedule a discovery call here if you want to learn more.
Thanks!
