What if you started today learning how to create a life you love?
Think of how much progress you could have by June, by the holidays, or by the first of 2021? Your progress could be amazing.
This post begins my new how to create a life you love blog series and my hope is that it inspires you to finally start doing those things that you’ve always dreamed about. This may sound a little pie-in-the-sky, but it doesn’t have to be! What separates those who make it and those who don’t is the belief that they can make it happen, the hard work it takes to get there, and the persistence and faith to trust the process along the way.
Determine the Life You Love
You may not know exactly what you want to do with your life yet. We are all in different places. For example, I am in my late twenties, married, have a cat and am not ready to have kids yet. Depending on what your life looks like right now, you will have different circumstances regarding your opportunities and challenges.
I encourage you to do some soul-searching on this one and think about what you would love to be doing. Not just what you would love to be doing today, but how about ten years from now?
Bloom Where You Are Planted
Once you’ve determined what you would like to accomplish, there’s something very important to remember. Bloom where you are planted. I’m sure you’ve probably heard this quote before, but I encourage you to truly take it to heart for this exercise.
Let’s put it in context: just because you know where you want to be and haven’t arrived yet, doesn’t mean you should neglect where you are currently at. There are all sorts of reasons, some unbeknown to us, for why we end up where we are.
I believe we often are there to help others in need or maybe there is a certain lesson we need to learn from the experience to help us with where we are ultimately meant to be. We should be grateful for where we are while we keep pushing towards where we want to be. After all, haven’t you came a long way from where you used to be?
Design the Roadmap to Your Dreams
You may know your destination, but you need to write down the directions for how to get there. This is the foundation for your dreams, also known as the planning stage.
You want to be intentional in your path towards your goals. In order to do that, you need a plan going forward that is going to get you closer each day. Write down all of the steps that you’re aware of that you will need to take to accomplish your goals. Then, do more research to see if there are other things that need to be included in your plans.
Once you’ve got your list together, break those items down into smaller, more manageable goals (mini-goals!). Add those mini goals into your daily schedule so that you’re touching something that will get you closer to your dreams!
Step Outside of Your Comfort Zone
This is a toughie! I cringe each time I hear the words “step outside of your comfort zone.” So if you do too, don’t worry! We will get through this one together.
It is one of the most difficult parts of the process, but it is unfortunately (but fortunately!) very necessary. We cannot grow if we aren’t willing to accept change. When we begin to put together the steps necessary to attain our goals, we will likely be doing some things that we’ve never done before. This sometimes induces panic and anxiety in our minds, and that is okay.
The best thing to do is accept those feelings, know that it is going to be okay and when your mind is telling you that you simply can’t do all of those things – remind yourself that fear is a liar and you will prove those thoughts to be false. You’ve got this, friend!
Track Your Progress
One of the main reasons for not pursuing our dreams is because we don’t see results as quickly as we would like. It is important to celebrate all of the victories, both big and small!
You can choose to track your progress weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. It is truly what works best for you. Personally, I track my progress on my blog each week. I set goals on Sundays and then check in throughout the week. I go through my list carefully on Sundays before I begin putting together my next week’s goals list.
This has really helped me to realize how much I’ve accomplished, even when it sometimes doesn’t feel like much. You can also see what is or is not working with your plan, as well. It’s definitely okay to be flexible with your roadmap, and change course when needed.
I hope you’ve enjoyed learning how to create a life you love! I encourage you to take that leap of faith that you’ve been afraid of, and see what’s out there.
You can accomplish your dreams! Don’t wish all of your life that you could do something. Go out and do it! 🙂
Let’s Chat!
What is your biggest dream?
Have you taken a step towards accomplishing your dreams/goals?
What’s holding you back from getting started?
Katy LV says
Always loved that quote – bloom where you are planted 🙂 so true
Make Life Marvelous says
Thank you so much, Katy! It is a great quote! 🙂
This is such a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing your thoughts xx
http://www.anacelinelabod.com
Thank you so much for your kind words, Ana! 🙂
Love these tips!
~Samantha
http://goldcoastgirlblog.com
Thanks so much, Samantha!
Perfect post for this Motivation Monday. I love your tip on breaking down items into smaller, more manageable goals. Sometimes, some goals seems so overwhelming but we have to start somewhere and doing it one small step at a time seems achievable. Thank you for sharing Ashley.
Xx
Nikki
http://www.nikkilivinglife.com
I completely agree with you, Nikki! Thank you so much for stopping by! 🙂
Love these ideas!!
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
Thank you so much, Jennifer!!
Nice advice and tips! xx
Thank you so much! 🙂
I completely agree with you. Love these ideas 🙂
So happy you loved it! 🙂
Love this inspiring post! Stepping out of your comfort zone is so important.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks so much, Katherine! I completely agree. 🙂
Such a great post! I have such great goals this year, I started my blog in February, only diving into it really at the end of June early July. Thanks for the post!
Thanks so much, Megan! So proud of you for starting your blog!
I love the “bloom where you are planted” motto- it’s so beautiful!
-Ashley
http://lestylorouge.com
Totally agree, Ashley! Thanks for stopping by!
These are all such sound words of wisdom, girl. Often times we’re too focused on where we want to be that we don’t seek to learn or perhaps understand why we are where we are at the moment and that could potentially delay us arriving to where we ultimately want to be st. Thanks for sharing such great advice and I hope you’re having a great start to your week!
Xo,
Jalisa
THE STYLE CONTOUR
Thanks so much, Jalisa! You are so right, and I hope that you are having a great week, as well! 🙂
Great advice. Bloom where you’re planted is one of my favourite phrases, and my grandmother would have told me this often. Thank you so much for sharing.
Your grandmother was a wise woman, Nyxie! Thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂
Love these! Bloom where you’re planted is one of my favorite sayings
http://www.sundaydahlias.com
Mine too! 🙂
Very inspiring! Thanks for this post
Thanks so much, Zoriana!!
Loved this post! Especially your section on “bloom where you are planted.” As I grow my blog, I’m becoming more and more excited for what’s to come!
Thanks so much, Isabella! Absolutely, I’m sure so many great things are in store for you! 🙂