A Different Kind of Goal-Setting: Contract with Yourself

I recently participated in a Writers’ Meme in which we had to draw up a contract with ourselves. The point was to get clear about what we want to accomplish with our writing, and make an agreement with ourselves to stay with that vision, whatever it takes.

A day or two before I was tagged to participate in the meme, my thoughts were already moving in that direction and I scribbled out a rudimentary contract in my personal journal. It was important for me to do that because I felt like I had veered far off the path I was meant to be walking.

I write a lot about the Law of Attraction on my website because I really believe that we have the power to make our lives into anything we want. At the same time, I also believe in a sort of pre-destined “purpose” that each of us has. I think we’re all born with very special talents and tendencies that we’re supposed to use on this earth.

Why? To contribute something of value. To make our mark and leave the place better than when we found it.

That doesn’t mean we have to go on some grand mission to change the world ourselves. It means we simply focus on sharing what we have with the world. For me, that means writing from my heart, from the depths of my being, and sharing it with others.

For you, it might mean uplifting others with your artwork, touching others with your singing, helping and healing with your medical skills, or nurturing with your cooking skills.

However, too many of us get caught up in doing what we think we should be doing – according to what society, our parents, teachers and friends tell us is best for us. Or worse – we choose our path according to how it affects our finances. We say, “Well, I’d love to be a portrait artist on the boardwalk in Atlantic City, but since I can’t earn enough money doing that, I’ll work at a bank.”

I’m not one to scold others for settling – I’ve done it myself for far too long! What amazes me is that we come to these conclusions WITHOUT EVEN TRYING to determine whether they’re really true or not. We just assume. And according to the Law of Attraction, when we believe something – we make it true.

Today I want to encourage you to take another look at your dreams, the ones you tucked away in a safe place and plan to pursue “someday.” Then I want you to question your beliefs about them.

Is it really true that you can’t make them happen right now? Is it really true that you couldn’t earn enough money from them? Really?

I’m finally realizing something powerful about my own life, and I want to share this secret with you: there is no tomorrow. There is no “someday”. If you want to bring your dreams into reality, NOW is the time.

That’s one stumbling block we run into with traditional goal-setting, it focuses more on the future than right now. Rather than focusing on what we “will” do (eventually), we need to become what we want to be right now.

So, rather than setting goals that reside in some far-off future, I want you to make an agreement with yourself, beginning now. Draw up a contract with yourself. Get clear about what you REALLY want, and vow to bring it into being.

You don’t have to figure out your whole plan today, just the first step. As you take that first step, doors will open, opportunities will appear, and your vision will get a bit clearer. And so it will continue with each step you take on your journey.

If you think it’s too late to switch gears, you may have settled into a sense of resignation about your life as it is right now. You may think it would take too much work and time to bring your dreams into being, but I think you’d be amazed at how easy it is once you start.

Just start! Awaken your realization that it’s NEVER too late to live the life you were meant to be living.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *