Look Ahead to Start Right

Before you can start you need a clear idea of what it is you want or want to do. Not knowing what you want will end up wasting your time and energy.

Know what you want before you start.
Photo by Matt Duncan

What do you want? is a question I’ve asked probationers often. As simple as the question seems, I usually receive a shrug or a, “I just want it better.” There is no clear focus or thought given to what it is they want for themselves.

Probationers often will start on a path I either suggest for them, or one they believe they should follow. While it is great they are not sitting still, they are usually moving without purpose. At least a purpose that really matters to them. Getting clear on what is really wanted is necessary for success.

Starting can be one of most important things you can do to gain success at anything. But, before you can start you need a clear idea of what it is you want or want to do. Not knowing what you want will end up wasting your time and energy. Both of which are are not things infinitely available to waste.

Often you may find yourself stalled and unable to start forward. Or once you start you quickly lose interest or focus. In fact, if you do find yourself stuck, you may need to take a look, a long hard look, at what it is you want. In all likelihood you do not have a clear idea or picture of what it is you are wanting to accomplish or do. If the goal is not clear, you cannot continue forward, as there is nowhere to go towards.

You cannot get somewhere you want to go if you don’t have a destination. Sounds easy and obvious, but way too often we want something, yet are unable to define or explain exactly what that something is to us. We just have this feeling in our gut, or mind, or soul, that says we should be doing something. We never define and decide on what it is we want, need or desire. Because of this we never move forward towards a change or goal.

If you want real change to happen, and you want that change to be something that you can actually accomplish, then you MUST define it. You MUST make it real to yourself so that you understand exactly what it is you want to accomplish or do. If you do not do this, then you will never be able to sustain any effort you put into starting and will end up stopping without going anywhere. Or worse, without a clear idea of your goal, you will never get beyond the dream phase of the process.

You deserve more in your life, but this means understanding what that MORE is so that you can actually go out and make it happen for yourself.