Goal
Today, I want to give you a new way of thinking about your day and who you want to be.
Focus On What Is Possible
Always ask yourself: “What is possible?”
“The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” – Ayn Rand
People are never focused on what is possible. We focus on the far future, the tomorrows, the next weeks, the next decade. We never zero in and look at who we are now and who we could be within the day.
Why do we fantasize about the far future? Because it is easier to imagine what we will improve tomorrow instead of embracing the responsibility of improving now. Remember, fighting in the here and now requires work, while fantasizing about the future is effortless.
However, your present is full of vices, pain, and failure. Your future will be too. Therefore, you need to shift your mindset away from tomorrow and focus on today. How do you do this? By asking yourself, “Who will I be at the end of the day?”
Who Can I Be By The End of the Day?
What steps are you willing to take to become your best self by the end of the day?
Why is it important to focus on your present? Because you can affect the present. The future is ambiguous and full of fog. The present is definable, and you can act right here, right now.
Therefore, move away from the fantasies about more money, better skills, and a stronger body. Look at who you are now. What can you finish before the end of the day? What mountain can you conquer? Furthermore, what demons can you overcome? If you win these victories, how will you feel?
Once you define these desires and visions, you can take a step back. Do you want to be a more patient person by the end of the day? Then become one right now. If you overcome your impatience today, how will you feel when you are in bed, reflecting on your day?
You can dominate the present and fulfill your goals. You don’t have to wait for or fantasize about anything.
As always, understand what you want to do
Always understand who you want to be, so you never feel lost.
“Perhaps when we find ourselves wanting everything, it is because we are dangerously close to wanting nothing.” – Sylvia Plath
As always, understand your goals. Your daily goals should feed into your long-term goals. If there is a disconnect, you will experience anxiety, uncertainty, and bitterness.
Furthermore, understanding your goals will give you a full picture of what you’re trying to do and who you’re trying to become. Now you can see how demanding excellence today will make the vision of the future more tangible. You have to develop your present to excel and improve your future.
Lastly, be proactive in your tasks. What can be improved, and what needs to go? If something stands in your way, then move it. The more obstacles you remove, the better your mindset will be. For example, if going to the DMV is a constant source of stress, then set a time to go and get it out of the way. With your schedule clear and your mind free of worry, you can refocus your daily efforts.
Remove as many vices as you can
Work to remove your vices and improve your character.
Today may be the day you overcome a vice. If you look at your vices as daily challenges, you’re more likely to push past them. For example, you may watch too much TV. If you think, “I haven’t watched too much TV this week,” then you may justify dipping into a vice even though you have a mountain of work today. However, if you view your day as your one shot to maximize your opportunities, then you’re more likely to stay the course.
Remember, whatever is in your way, which can be safely removed, should be. Restrict your vices by thinking about how important this one day is to building your future and improving your life.
Today Is Your Day To Be Your Best Self
Right now, you can decide to be your best self.
“A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.” – Bruce Lee
“Who Can I Be By The End of the Day?” Ask yourself this question throughout the day. When you feel tired or bored or distracted, reflect on how much further you can take your life if you buckle down right here, right now.
Of course, don’t want to lose sight of your long-term vision. The goal is to focus on who you can be now versus over-thinking who you want to be later. Therefore, focus on the short-term ideal and remember how your actions today make you the best version of yourself tomorrow.
Actionables
- What is one goal you’d like to accomplish today? What do you have to do to achieve this goal?
- What is one vice you’d like to overcome today?
- How was yesterday? Are you proud are yourself? Where could you have done better?
Please remember that it’s important to do the actionables. You’re not on this earth to simply read but to do. To become an individual, you must act more than you consume.
*Image credit to Unsplash.
