Last summer, Delores and Sharon had unfinished business on their dreams to-do lists – and running a full marathon was one of them. After a year of training, the marathon moms will compete in their first races this summer. They made it happen, and you can, too.
We all have dreams that fall to the side when life and family responsibilities take over. Ellen Goldhar, a life coach in Toronto, says a large part about making your desires a reality is about getting organized and clear in your head about what you want to do. She recommends writing a list of desires and then marking each one with a small or capital N. "Small n is for nice to have or do and capital N is for need to have or do," she says. Would something be nice to do – pleasant – or do you need to do it – essential?
Prioritize how to spend your free time
Although the nice items are easier to push back, making time for these and yourself is also a priority. Instead of talking about how nice it would be to spend a weekend in a wine region with your sister, book a time that works for both of you and stick to it.
Ideally, you will be able to combine some of the items on your list. If Item No. 3 is riding a bicycle-for-two with your husband and Item No. 6 is revisiting your childhood stomping ground in New Brunswick, rent the bike and relive childhood memories while pedalling along the coast of Grand Manan, N.B.
Tip: Be careful not to get caught up in getting things done simply for the sake of crossing them off your list. Take the time to enjoy the moment.
Learn more about achieving your goals in this related read:
• Personal Project Pursuit: Goals, Action, and Human Flourishing (Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2006) by Brian R. Little, Katariina Salmela-Aro and Susan D. Phillips, editors.
Page 1 of 3 -- Fulfillment doesn't have to cost you money! Browse a collection of free summer activities and simple pleasures on page 2.
