How to stay focused in your goals

byharoda

1.5K followers

Updated 5 years ago

There are many ways to help focus. To simplify the process, I thought of three important disciplines that are very helpful to me on "how to stay focused in your goals."

1. Let go, set priorities and simplify

2. Sleep, breathe, talk, and eat your goals

3. Consistency and follow through

I am sharing my experiences along the way as examples in hope that you will relate and feel inspired to focus in your own goals. It is also a great reminder for me when I lose my way...

Priorities

Setting priorities is very important. What goal is most important to you? Number it 1, 2, 3, etc with 1 being the most important. This help establish and organize your goals. Once your goals are organized, the direction that you want to take is simpler and clearer.

From the past years, I have been taking on lots of projects and setting many goals. I was overwhelmed. I thought to myself that is who I am and I love to keep busy. However, I was so busy that I was churning my wheels and getting nowhere. My projects and goals were progressing very slowly. I did not see many successes. I got frustrated then took on more new projects hoping that it will help my existing goals. That was a mistake. It only stretched me thin and very tire with very little successes.

Setting priorities for my goals was very difficult for me. I was not willing to prioritize. I thought they were all important and not willing to let go of one goal / project over another. Here are some of my projects:

- Vietnamese Cooking Demonstrations / manufacturing sauces (need to promote, farmer's market, demonstrations everyday)

- Internet Marketing (WA) (write articles every day, teach, learn, share)

- Vietnamese Interpreting (get certification, Interpret, Interpret, Interpret, study, study, study)

Yes, these projects lead to generating more income. I thought they were all equally important. Letting go of my stubbornness was helpful to my prioritizing. I made a decision which inspired me most. I choose to become a Vietnamese Interpreter.

Sorry, I have not been consistent in helping, reading, and writing in WA and writing my website articles the past months. Once my decision was made, I focused in studying to get certified and become a Court Interpreter. The path becomes clearer. I know I will pick up my other projects again one at a time once I achieve my certification.

Sleep, Breathe, Talk and Eat

Sleep, breathe, talk, and eat with your first goal in mind. There is no order to that and they do not have to be literal. Always have your goal in mind. Share it with others. This will help create new ideas and ways to achieve your goal. Of course there are setbacks and obstacles to detour or detract you from your path. Notice it and become aware when you are off track. Once you are aware, you can bring yourself back on track again.

I am a freelance on sight interpreter for medical facilities, schools, and courts. However, I am not called to be an interpreter every day. I need to fill the days that I am not on sight. I shared my goals with friends and others. New ideas came. Now, I am also taking on telephonic interpreting to fill in the time while I am studying to become Certified Court Interpreter.

I study while I eat lunch. I practice my vocabularies, listen to lectures and study while I am on the road. I fill as much of my time as possible with the interpreting business. When I don't feel like studying anymore, I would watch a TV show called "Law In Order" to learn about the court system and be entertained. I think I am dreaming about interpreting now.

Consistency

Consistency and follow through are the two important aspects of maintaining yourself along the path to success in achieving your goals. There are times when you can't follow through or forget to follow through. It is OK as long as you are consistence in your following through. Missing a few is not bad throughout the year. However, too much inconsistency in following through, may get you to your goal much slower or not at all.

I do have doubts about my ability now and then. Yes, I do fall and make mistakes. However, there is no time to play the pity party in my head. My goal is to take my final test in August 2019 and pass. If I don't pass, I will have to wait another 6 months before I can take the test again. It is OK. I will take it again if I have to. The following through and consistency will help pay off in the long run. Wish me luck!

Conclusion

I made my decision the end of 2018. Now, I am a Vietnamese Interpreter and enjoying my journey. I have achieved baby steps and milestones. I will be a Certified Court Interpreter soon. I found something that I love to do. I am helping others bridging the communication gap. Getting paid is only the icing on the cake. In time, I shall apply the same principles to my internet marketing at WA, and my cooking demonstrations. I am focusing one project at a time.

How do you stay focus? Looking forward to hearing your strategies.