The Feedback Loop
One half of knowing what you want is knowing what you must give up before you get it.
— Sidney Howard
You are responsible for what happens in your life.
You can’t blame anyone or anything else for your results. If you are tired and frustrated by all the information out there that just doesn’t work for you, take a beat and then think about this:
We are all internally wired differently, use different inner languages (visual, auditory, feeling), exhibit different motivational systems, traits, and behaviors, and thus make different choices. So, I hope you can understand that no one plan works for everyone.
Think of how different it would be to find your goals and a process that gets you excited about doing “it” your way, on your own timetable. Know that creating a plan of action is a very unique and personal quest. Using a structure to either hang it on or not is your choice. What works best for you? This whole process is, simply put, a way for you to know where you are right now, where you want to go, and your estimated time of arrival. It’s not more complicated than that.
Try this: Write down one small goal, something you could perhaps accomplish in a week. It doesn’t have to be about your career. Now, write down all the good things, the perks that you will gain, because you accomplished this goal, including how you will feel. Next, list all the perceived problems, sacrifices, and events that reaching this goal might cost you. And last but not least, ask yourself truthfully: “Is it worth it”? That is one way to start this process and clearly help you decide what it is you DO want.
And lastly, remember that this is not just a means to an end, it is a lifelong journey. So, expect failure, mistakes, and maybe even falling off the horse occasionally. Believe it or not, this is how we learn just about everything. Knowing how you choose to deal with these blips, this feedback, gives you insight into how you, specifically, find the pony in the pile of manure.
Quitting is not a solution. These blips will make you wiser and stronger in your own conviction to make adjustments, corrections, and progress as you move forward. And you will come to realize that you can now measure your own success by looking at the results and outcome of what you have just accomplished.
Bravo, well done!!