For any ambitious, driven person, goal-setting and dream chasing is a way of life. I know you feel me. Dreams and goals are what wake you up in the morning, and what help you push through until the wee hours of the night. The hustler mentality shapes your master plan and designs how you move forward. This drive to make it happen is showcased everywhere: in music, movies, and is running rampant on social media. To make your dreams come true the formula is seemingly simple: you have to set a goal, believe in it, and then chase it wholeheartedly for it to manifest.
What they don’t tell you however, is that along the way there might be interruptions, delays, barricades, so on and so forth. Your dream GPS can keep re-routing and it becomes frustrating because it’s taking so much longer to get to where you want to be. We often get so caught up in making it to that finish line that we don’t take time to appreciate the milestones we’ve passed. We get so blinded by the end goal that we forget to enjoy the moment. This is a serious problem because it can steal the joy out of the journey. Measuring progress is a great way to track goals, but too often we focus so much on the “incompletes” or “in progresses” that we miss out on being grateful for what has happened and for where we are right now.
Appreciating ourselves and our growth is vital for our self-love, motivation, overall health, and success. Without this appreciation, we can become worn down and discouraged. So to combat this, I challenge you to do two things: First, give yourself a pat on the back, a hug, or a fist-bump for everything you’ve accomplished so far this year. Second, put down your to-do list! (If only for a second.) Life isn’t always about checking off those boxes.
In other words, instead of comparing how we measure up for who, where, and how we thought we would be right now, let’s just take a moment to appreciate where we are. Right here, right now. In this space of reflection, I want you to explore these four thoughts about your journey:
- You do not have to have it all together.
Not ever. It’s okay to not be okay and to fall apart sometimes. In fact, in the plant growth process it’s imperative for a seed to burst all the way open before it can bloom into its greatness. All that matters is that you get up and keep pushing.
- You don’t have to have all the answers.
Nope, and you probably never will. That’s perfectly okay. Just keep chasing your dreams and working to better yourself. I challenge you to get 1% better in some area of your life each day. It adds up very quickly and will make a tremendous difference in your life.
- You are exactly where you are supposed to be.
And I do mean EXACTLY. Sometimes, especially in the midst of storms and rough patches, it can seem like God has forgotten about us or shunned us for something that happened. I promise you, He hasn’t. If you look back on your life I bet there are many instances when you didn’t think you would make it or that you could go on, but you did. You’re here for a reason. Keep working and moving forward and He will adjust your steps accordingly. His timing is always so much better than ours.
- You don’t have to follow all of the rules!
Your path is your own trail. It doesn’t have to resemble anyone else’s so don’t try and compare it. It doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else because it is your vision. Your life. Your path. Blaze it!
I hope you are able to find gratitude, comfort, and inspiration in these areas of life which can so typically bring stress. Life is all about the journey after all, right?
Teresa says
I needed this today. So worried about my “next thing” that I almost, ALMOST missed celebrating being here, on vacation, in Aruba with my honey. Tha js for reminding me to enjoy where I am now because it’s exactly where I’m supposed to be.
CarlieCarpio says
Anytime sis!!! You work hard, make sure you enjoy every second 😉 Hugs!
KK says
Carlie, It seems you also get your writing creativity from your Aunt Karen? I really love your description of the seed bursting! I get it. Everyday, I look at all these boxes and “stuff” that I must go through. I feel so overwhelmed ,I have no idea where to start?
Today, I started, I accomplished so much! I am exactly where I’m supposed to be. I do find I compare myself to others, I figure they would’ve been finished with this long process. But, I’m not them, I’m me and I’m happy with what I’ve done. I can see the floor and that means I’m making progress.
Your writing inspires me so much! You’re such a blessing to the world!
CarlieCarpio says
Amen KK! You are exactly where you are supposed to be and you are enough! Thank you =)