Sunday, 08 January 2012 10:09
I love being underestimated! ~ Rio Wade
Maybe you are like me in that, I have largely been underestimated my whole life and by a myriad of different people – friends, teachers, and adults. Seems that this is a crazy and common occurrence that goes on between adults and children, adults and teens and even adult to adult.
I want to be the voice of reason here… When someone tells you that you can’t achieve a goal that you have set for yourself – you tell them, “What? I didn’t hear you. I don’t understand the word no.”
My Disneyland Story – Case and Point
Goals are the fuel in the furnace of achievement. ~ Brian Tracy
When I was 18 years old I decided that I wanted to work as a character at Disneyland in California. This seemed very reasonable to me. I was after all a dancer and dabbled in acting. What was the problem? Oh, an audition…. no problem to me. I will just drive across the desert and attend the two-day audition with hundred of other people.
Mind you I had never driven to California without my parents nor had I attended a professional audition before either. Still - no problem for me.
However, many of the adults in my life were more willing to tell me about what a ‘problem’ my goal was.
One of my collage dance teachers told me, to my face, that I shouldn’t go that I would not make it. My acting teacher told me that I should not get my hopes up. True – I was not the best actor in the class; in fact, I was a terrible actor, but keep in mind that during that semester we were studding Shakespeare. Really not something that would prep me for a Disneyland audition. I knew this – but he apparently my acting teacher did not.
None of the adults knew anything about anything when it came to these matters.
It saddens me to this day that not one adult in my life stood up and said, “Go for it! We will be here cheering you on! We think that you will do an amazing job. Can we help you in anyway? Do you need anything?” My amazing friends were able to provide encouragement, but not the adults.
So what did I do you ask? Did I drive across the desert to make the audition? With all that encouragement it’s hard to imagine that I wouldn’t! The answer is yes! I did!
I stepped off the stage of my college dance show, got in my car and drove across the desert in the middle of the night to spend what was left of the night at a friend’s family’s house, shower and leave to the audition first thing in the morning.
I did not wear the black leotard I was instructed to wear by one of my dance teachers, I instead wore a bright red unitard and a Mickey Mouse sweatshirt tied around my butt.
I followed my heart and my instincts. I danced my ass off that day.
The entire day we danced and then cut – dance then cut – dance and cut more people. This went on for TWO days. At the end of the second day I was informed that I was selected as one of three in my height range out of 500 people. Take that Nay-Sayers!
I had made the audition and went on to work at Disneyland as a few different characters.
Don’t believe what others tell you about you. In this life it is you against you – period.
You must dream big…then dream bigger when you set your goals for your life. Don't cheat the world of your contribution. (-Steven Pressfield). You have a special and unique contribution and it is a crime if you do not pursue your dreams and goals to the fullest and with unabashed and unbridled energy.
So how do you turn your passions into goals?
A goal without a plan is just a wish. ~ Unknown
Getting a plan in place and setting goals is where to start! Everyone is different. Some people like lists and things that are linear. For others, vision boards, journaling and things that are more abstract will be a better fit.
With either structure, assigning timelines to each goal will be critical to seeing your smaller goals start to fill in the larger goals. THAT is where the real change begins to occur! Timeline for your goals, think in terms of daily, weekly, yearly.
You’ve got to be careful if you don't know where you're going, because you might not get there. ~ Yogi Berra
What do you do if don’t achieve a goal?
Such a great question!!
First – don’t panic! This is common. Evaluate if it’s as simple as more time is needed. Maybe the goal needs to be altered slightly, revaluated or just crossed off the list as a no-go all-together.
As you can see, there are many answers to this question. It is best when you answer this situation with another question, however - How bad do you want your goal? The answer to this question will truly determine the next steps you need to take.
If the answer is that you feel it deep in your heart that you need to complete the goal or obtain the goal then the answer is that you must continue to purse it.
This can apply to situations when you really want a specific job that you have applied and applied for yet you still have not obtained the position. Don’t give up. Keep working on obtaining the job. Keep in mind - you may have to seek the assistants of other people – such as a coach, resume writer etc., but don’t give up. Follow your instincts and your heart! You will know when it is time to concede.
Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. ~ Oprah
Timing and Our Goals
Remember also to be patient. There is a certain amount of Devine or Universal timing in our Goals.
You can have it all. You just can't have it all at once. ~ Oprah
It would be remiss of me not to point this out. Sometimes we want something so badly that we push and push and don’t understand why we are not rewarded with it. We deserve it right? We definitely do.
Timing plays a factor in our goals. This Universal timing that has more to do with our spiritual self than our earthly self. When you find yourself stuck or frustrated remember that your timing and Universal timing might be set to two different clocks. Take heart, this usually works out in your favor.
Wrap Up
Understand that the right to choose your own path is a sacred privilege. Use it. Dwell in possibility. ~ Oprah
Delight in the possibilities that you life has in-store for you; start empowering yourself with a plan to reach your goals. Employ new tactics such as a vision board this year or a goal journal. And most importantly – do not let other people tell you who you are or what you can or cannot achieve with your life. You have to decide that for yourself.
PS Lots of love to Barbra Nanna of Like Minded Productions for encouraging me to do vision boards for 2012! Thank you!
http://www.like-mindedproductions.com/
