Setting Sail for Your Destination

Whether taking on a new project, starting a new job, beginning a new relationship, retiring, relocating, or any new start, setting sail can be the most exciting and exhilarating part of the journey. The anticipation that comes with taking off toward your destination helps to propel you forward. However, setting sail may also be accompanied by challenges or feelings of anxiety and fear as you leave the safety of the known to risk stepping into the unknown. For me, the past two years have been a time of new beginnings. A move to a new city, getting settled in a new home, meeting new friends and colleagues, exploring a new area and learning a new language have marked many new opportunities. It has been an exciting adventure and a time that I have enjoyed very much. It has also been a tremendous learning experience and has challenged me in ways I'd never dreamed of when I began this journey. Following are four tips that have helped me during this time and that I hope will help you navigate more confidently and successfully as you set sail.

Four Tips for Setting Sail Successfully

1. VISUALIZE THE DESIRED OUTCOME. Get clear about the results you want to achieve. Take some time to think about your desired outcome and to visualize yourself having already achieved it. Think about what it will look like and how you will feel. Write down your goal and keep it in front of you to help you focus as you navigate your journey.

Ask yourself: What outcome do I want from this situation?

2. CHART YOUR COURSE. Create a plan that will guide you to your desired outcome. Taking time to plan will help you be more prepared for unexpected events that may happen along the way. Not only does a plan serve as a compass to guide you on your journey, but it also frees you from the constant pressure of deciding where to go next.

Ask yourself: Where do I want to go? When do I want to get there? What course do I need to chart?

3. TAKE ACTION. Decide that you will take action toward your dreams and goals. Taking action creates momentum and positive energy to propel you forward. Small steps taken consistently lead to big accomplishments. Whether it is a diet, an exercise plan, a major project or a college degree, the job is easier and less daunting when it is broken down into smaller steps. Decide that you will do one thing everyday for your dream.

Ask yourself: What is one thing I can do now to get into action?

4. ENJOY THE JOURNEY. Life cannot be collected. Happiness cannot be traveled to, earned, owned, worn or consumed. It is found in the present moment. Reward yourself for having the courage to try something new and look for ways to celebrate along the way.

Ask yourself: What will I do this week to have fun and celebrate my journey?

As mark Twain said, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream."

Smooth Sailing Success E-zine, a monthly newsletter, designed to bring you coaching tips and resources to support you in improving performance and achieving more of what you truly want in life.

About The Author

Pat Morgan, MBA and Professional Coach, has 10 years experience helping teams manage organizational and cultural change. As President of Smooth Sailing, she supports individuals and organizations in managing change, improving performance and achieving excellence both professionally and personally. She has created and led workshops and seminars for organizations such as: the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) and Rotary International.

coach@chartingthecourse.biz

---

Commitment

A true commitment is a heart felt promise to yourself, from which you will NOT back down, no matter what the circumstances may be!Many people have good... Read More

The 12 Commandments of Goal Setting

Many professionals have a basic idea of what they want to achieve in their careers. They may want to close more sales, earn a higher income, or... Read More

Applying Action To Your Inner Desires!

"I know what I need to do, but I'm scared that I won't succeed." Who among us hasn't been stuck in this scenario before? We know what... Read More

Re-invent Yourself : 7 Steps to Becoming a New You!

Do you like your life the way it is? Would you like to change some, or all of it? Well, here's good news: You can be whatever... Read More

Focal Point Of Success

Fortune will flow into your hands like a river flow into the sea if only you can invest a high percent of your time on a high... Read More

Cultivating Belief in Your Goals

The Belief That You Can Do It and more importantly, That You Will!First, You must choose one goal and commit to it's achievement. It seems that this... Read More

Why Do Many Smart, Motivated People Never Achieve Their Goals?

In his multimedia "Unleash Your Greatness Success System" Mike Litman gives his audience a virtual "kick in the butt" - albeit nicely. In this program he pushes... Read More

Focus

To have a goal is like having a road map. It shows you where to go, and where not to go. Would you begin a trip to... Read More

Attain Instant Results With Goal Setting Tools

Your path to the successful accomplishment of your goals can be very thorny. Ups and downs, hardships and difficulties are inevitable components of success. Besides, difficulties add... Read More

Writing Your Personal Vision/Mission Statement

I recently spent some time revising my personal vision/mission statement for my coaching practice. While doing this, it occurred to me that the vision I have for... Read More

Vocalized Goals + Action = Realized Dreams

Do you have a dream? Is there something you want to do, to achieve, or to complete?How close are you? How many people have you told about... Read More

Turn The Escape Key Now

"I think I know how bank robbers feel as they wait for tellers to stuff their bounty into a satchel. . . . I damn near giggled... Read More

Stop Scoring Own Goals

Own goals are actions, things we do, that stop us from reaching where we want to go or what we want to obtain. When we are out... Read More

Know What You Want Out Of Life

At this point in time you have an opportunity to really analyze your life. Where you are right now and where you want to be in the... Read More

Dont Mistake Activity For Achievement

I remember watching an NBA Basketball Game on t.v one night. The Miami Heat were playing the New Orleans Hornets. Miami was all over them yet when... Read More

Fear the Future? Dont.

In one sense there are three parts of our lives. Past, present and future. How each of these is viewed has huge consequences.The past:If one looks back... Read More

One Life to Live

Nothing stops us. Well, almost nothing. Although we do live in a world that whirls at breakneck speed, there are a few things that will stop us... Read More

Increase Your Knowledge: Read-and-Reap

Did you know that you see with your mind as well as your eyes? The mind stores memories and highlights of past experiences as well as color... Read More

How to Triple Your Productivity in 28 days - Part II

If you've been diligent in doing the past 2 concentration builders you will notice you have a considerable increase in your productivity and your power to stay... Read More

What Do You WANT? What Do You DESERVE?

INTRODUCTIONThis article is used for discovering our needs from life, our desires for where we want to be and who we want to become. Remember life is... Read More

Money, a Session With Joseth on Abundance and Money (Channelled)

(Channelled) (This communication with Joseth happened more than a year ago, while I was focused on bringing money into my life. Apparently I still haven't managed to... Read More

What Do You Really, Really, Really Want?

If the 90s British pop sensation 'the Spice Girls' ever get remembered for anything, I hope it's for bringing the question 'now tell me what you want,... Read More

Top 10 Tools to Reach Your Goals Quickly

We all have dreams and goals. Some of them are simply "wishes", like winning the lottery or sailing to Tahiti. But we also have goals that are... Read More

Goal Setting - Get Exactly What You Want!

I am writing you from the quaint sea town of New Bern, NC where my wife and I are catching some much needed R&R.Lately many of our... Read More

Setting Financial Goals - Part 2

In my earlier article "Setting Financial Goals ? Part 1" I identified the 4 simple steps to setting up achievable financial goals. I mentioned that your financial... Read More

Achieving Success Through Effective Goal Setting

It is important to have goals because they are good for your physical and mental health. You can have goals for all areas of your life. Here... Read More