Can you relate? If you are like most people I know,including myself, there’s always work to do, dozens and dozens of ideas, projects that you want to complete, and lots of every day realities to handle, ( money, health, relationships)

Overwhelm stems from a feeling of paralysis that sets in when we feel we have too much to do and not enough time to do it. It’s a common dilemma.

One of the best ways to reduce your overwhelm is to take time to map out all of your current projects. Once you’ve done this, pick your #1 top priority. You did read that right, only pick one!

Now decide what your goal is for your # 1 priority. Decide the date that you want to achieve this goal. Experts say that if you carve out a specific time to complete a task, you are more likely to make it happen.

After you have decided what you want and have set your measurable goal to a timeline, the next step is to break the goal down into individual action steps.

A fast way to break down your big goal, is to keep asking questions: what needs to happen first, then what? Then what?

Keep asking and allowing the step by step process to reveal itself. Write each step down. ( A great process for doing this is mind-mapping, created by TonyBuzan.com)

Take a nice deep breath. You’ve literally created your blueprint for this huge goal. Take the first action step, then the next action step, then the next. Your project will begin to take momentum.

Lather,rinse and repeat with your other important goals.

Step by step, your big goals become attainable. Ah, the thrill of accomplishing what is most important to us. It’s in your reach. Go for it!

What’s been on your mind lately?

What are you ready to change in your life? Is it your income? Is it the quality of your marriage? Is it to have more fun, more adventure, more meaning in your life?

If you are like most of my clients (and me) you have several things that are on your mind that you want to shift to a higher, better place.

The challenge to change? Making and sustaining change can be tricky. Changing our behavior and long held patterns can be downright difficult. We resist the very change we say that we want because we unconsciously (or consciously) don’t want to leave the comfort zone of familiarity.

Truth is,in the short term, it is easier to keep things the same. We stay where we are and cling to our life raft of “status quo”. We may not like it, we may complain and whine about our circumstances ,but something keeps us stuck.We don’t take action.

Why is it so hard to change?

Change demands us to make a new commitment and to think and act differently.

We have to risk.

If we choose to stay where we are, then we don’t have to try that scary new behavior (telling your family member what you REALLY think, or writing and sending that sales letter to your list about your new program).

If we don’t make a change, we protect ourselves from these potential consequences:

….that we may make a HUGE mistake.

…. the sting of other people’s criticism ( or our own inner critic)

….that our lives will actually change and what that means for our relationships or our lives

Understanding what holds you back is critical to being able to move forward.

Ask yourself, what am I afraid will happen if I go after this big goal? Whatever answers you get, respect them! Embrace it. Allow this to guide you. Set up your action plan so that you address your fear(s). Here’s how:

3 Ways to Make Profound Changes, Fast & Fearlessly

1. Focus- Determine 1 priority at a time. Often we get excited and try to change to many things at once. You become overwhelmed and go back to old patterns. What do you want to change in the next 21 days? Write it here_______________________________________________________________

2. Ask Why? – You must answer this question! Milk your answer for ALL of the reasons why do you are motivated to make this change.How will you feel in the having of it? What’s in it for you? What will this change give you? How will it make your life better? Really take the time to understand your motivation for this change. Your “why” will fuel the “what”. Write down your “why”__________________________________________________________________________________

3. Support-When we embark on a new path, we truly need the support, guidance, inspiration and tools to empower us. Gather EVERYTHING you need to succeed. This can be positive people, your coach, inspirational books, quotes, audios, visuals and whatever tools you need to allow you to make an effective change. Write down ALL the support you need ( no skimping) to make this change_________________________________________________________________________________

This fabulously simple 3 step formula will help you to bridge the gap, allowing you to feel more confidence about making those big changes. Let the shift happen!

Image by rubystream via flickr.com

I recently did this review and noted what I had accomplished this year including both personal and professional goals. I went for it and really ‘stretched’ myself this past year – A few of my stretch goals included the completion and production of my Dream Card Game a product that I envision to be in every household as the way to ‘jumpstart’ and take action on personal and professional dreams. Another stretch goal was to increase my business revenue in spite of recession. Mission accomplished. Another one of my goals? To continue to improve my technique and style as a ballroom dancer. My stretch involved dancing my first latin dance public performance I can tell you that I was without question, pushed past my comfort zone…..a couple of my “buttons” that were pushed?

First time to do a “showcase’ in front of an audience
- Dancing a sexy number (I’m no Spring Chicken)
- I had to learn AND remember more advanced techniques
- I almost ‘bailed’ at the last minute… stage fright isn’t comfortable!

With some spot coaching from my partner friends and dance teacher I was able to pull it together & danced my heart out.
The result? I did it. Its a great feeling to set your goals and to achieve them.

The beauty of setting stretch goals is that they DO make you feel uncomfortable. When you choose a goal that scares you a bit you know you’ve got a ‘good goal’ Being uncomfortable is actually a really good sign. Let your dreams and goals pull you forward to manifest the results that you want. I invite you to really truly go for what you want. Please do share what you are ‘taking on’ this year. What will stretch you to your greatness?

1. The first time a man looks at an advertisement, he does not see it.
2. The second time, he does not notice it.
3. The third time, he is conscious of it.
4. The fourth time, he faintly remembers having seen it before.
5. The fifth time, he reads it.
6. The sixth time, he turns it up his nose up at it.
7. The seventh time, he reads it through and says, “Oh, brother!”
8. The eighth time, he says, “Here’s that confounded thing again!”
9. The ninth time, he wonders if it amounts to anything.
10. The tenth time, he asks his neighbor if he has tried it.
11. The eleventh time, he wonders how the advertiser makes it pay.
12. The twelfth time, he thinks it must be a good thing.
13. The thirteenth time, he thinks perhaps it might be worth something.
14. The fourteenth time, he remembers wanting such a think a long time.
15. The fifteenth time, he is tantalized because he cannot afford to buy it.
16. The sixteenth time, he thinks he will buy it some day.
17. The seventeenth time, he makes a memorandum to buy it.
18. The eighteenth time, he swears at his poverty.
19. The nineteenth time, he counts his money carefully.
20. The twentieth time he sees the ad, he buys what it is offering.

To Your Success,

Diana Long

The Results Expert