The Window Of Opportunity Has Closed
By Kerul Kassel
During one of my “Anticrastinate Your Way to Success” presentations for Sony Electronics, one particular woman kept on referring to a housewarming party she had been putting off. After she had mentioned this a number of times, I asked her when she had moved into her house. We all waited breathlessly for her answer, which came haltingly, “Five years ago.” It was time for her to move on! The house had to be pretty warm after five years, and if it wasn’t, a party wasn’t going to help. Who amongst her friends and colleagues (whom she had been promising for years she’d have over for this party) would really believe they were actually coming to a housewarming party? It would be more like a party which was apologizing for not having a housewarming party.
You’re probably wondering why she hadn’t had the party (or perhaps you’re not!). There were details that hadn’t yet been completed that she felt must be done before she could have people over. Window treatments needed to be put up, a new kitchen floor installed, there were still a couple of boxes that hadn’t been unpacked from the move, etc. She wanted the house to be perfect before she could schedule her party. Does any of this sound familiar?
What a relief it was for her to be able to let go of this belief that she still had to schedule a housewarming party. At this point, nobody was expecting her to have a party, and it was time for her to give herself permission to let the idea go.
“Historical” goals, those which you’ve had for quite some time (perhaps for 20 years!) and have never realized, can fit into this category. You may have tried various methods, self-help books, therapy, but nothing has worked, or worked for the long term.
While it may be that these are simply poorly designed objectives, or “shoulds”, it may also be they are no longer relevant, even though you’ve been hanging on to them.
Do you have long-term aspirations you’ve been pursuing for years, with either little progress or little staying power? It may be time to re-evaluate them. Here are a few things to consider: Are they still pertinent to your life and lifestyle? Although they might once have been realistic, is that still the case? Does this goal really still matter to you? Are you honestly willing to make the changes that would be required to achieve this end? If you answered no to one or more, it may be time to dump the goal.
Mini-exercise: What aspiration that has not come true that might be time to put aside, at least for now?
Copyright 2006, New Leaf Systems.com
About the Author
Kerul Kassel New Leaf Systems
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