Earlier in the program we performed some affirmations related to taking action and going through fear. I'd like to expand a little more on that topic, by discussing goal achievement, and its relationship to overcoming anxiety.
If there is one real gift that anxiety provides, it's dissatisfaction with dissatisfaction. If you're not making progress in your life, making productive use of your time, and moving forward with your goals in some way, you're probably going to get uneasy. If you are experiencing anxiety now, it's very likely that you are not content with your present external circumstances. You might be holding back in doing some things in your life that you know need to be done, making some changes you know need to be made, or moving forward with your life in one way or another. The reason I say this is that anxiety usually starts to dissolve once we begin to take action and prove to ourselves that we are capable of achieving the circumstances we desire.
Earlier we talked about the confidence that comes with going through fear. And that is a vital component to overcome anxiety. Eventually however, a plateau will be reached where you'll realize that lasting satisfaction comes when the action you're taking is doing more than moving you through your fears - it's also getting you what you really want, or where you really want to be.
The first step to start moving toward your goals is simply to decide what your goals are. Having a vision for yourself provides a solid foundation on which to start manifesting your desires. Many people fail to get what they really want in life simply because they don't know what they want - they don't have clearly defined goals.
In order to achieve your dreams, no matter how simple, it's absolutely vital to figure out what those dreams are. This goal setting step is so obvious, but so often overlooked. In order to know which direction to go in, you have to know what your destination is. You can define you life however you wish. Forget what you think you "should" be doing. Those notions are usually based on other people's expectations. Even more anxiety can be generated while doing what you think you should be doing, but don't really want to be doing. Consider all the cultures, personalities, family structures, and means of income on the face of earth. There are literally millions of ways to live your life. And you can define a style that's all your own. Choose goals you are passionate about, a vision of life for which are willing to burn every bridge behind you, and commit yourself to overcoming every obstacle. Then it will be worth going through every fear and uncertainty you ever face.
Ask yourself, "What type of life do I need in order to be truly happy?" If you won the lottery tomorrow and had all the money and financial security you'd ever need, what would you do with your time that would enable you to look back on your life without regret? What makes you feel good? Sometimes answering these questions is not easy, but it's worth the time and effort. Feeling happy and positive is a lot easier when you love what you do and have a sense of purpose. In a business and career sense, it's a lot easier to be your best, provide your best, and appeal to others when you yourself are enthusiastic about your service, product, or abilities.
Try to avoid the anxious tendency to become overly analytical about this. You don't need to see any decision as written in stone. Passions may change, your course may change, and you may redefine yourself many times. As you pursue your current goals, you may become aware of other possibilities. Just follow your heart wherever it's leading you now, and create a vision that feels right for you at this point in time. The truth is, life is not just one light at the end of the tunnel; It is light, after light, after light. Don't expect to reach one goal that will secure your eternal happiness - it doesn't work that way. Choose goals you believe in now, learn to enjoy the process of obtaining them, and you will find happiness in constantly becoming a more self-actualized person.
Ideally, your overall vision at any particular time will incorporate all areas of your life: personal goals, relationship goals, fitness goals, career goals, spiritual goals, and so on. Having a constantly focused, goal oriented, and success-envisioning mind is going to leave a lot less room for the negativity and make it easier to overcome anxiety.
Let's do some affirmations that will help blend these new attitudes into your current thinking.
• I have taken the time to decide what I really want in life.
• I now have well defined goals that I am passionate about.
• I follow my heart. I am now in tune with my heart.
• Since I have clear objectives, I can make decisions quickly.
• Indecisiveness leads to inaction; I am a decisive action taker.
• I have consciously chosen the way I want to live my life.
• I am now living life exactly the way I want.
• I have chosen to do what it takes to be happy and live well.
• I have crystal clear short-term and long-terms objectives.
• To maximize sense of accomplishment, I break longer term goals into
a short term and daily ones.
• As positive reinforcement, I compliment and praise myself while working
towards my goals.
• I make my own decisions. I don't need the approval of others.
• I ignore people who give me advice that doesn't feel right.
• Stress can be created by working towards goals I don't believe in.
• I do not let my life be molded by others expectations for me.
• I have the ability to redefine myself anytime.
• I know I am capable of achieving my goals, of translating my vision
into reality.
• I can do what anyone else has done, and anything more.
• I know I can achieve any goal I set my mind to.
