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

---

How to Handle Getting Caught Off Guard

I remember the time that I swore to myself that... Read More

Clarity and Self Improvement ? Why We Must Know What We Want

One of the biggest reasons that many people have trouble... Read More

Great Goals Make You Stretch!

I began enhancing my personal energy level three months shy... Read More

How To Keep Your Resolutions and Reach Your Goals

Another year has flown by and here you are at... Read More

Attain Instant Results With Goal Setting Tools

Your path to the successful accomplishment of your goals can... Read More

Resolutions? Try this!

Several articles and newsletters with the message that New Year's... Read More

Goals - If You Don?t Know What You Want, Then How Are You Going to Get It?

Recently, I spoke with a client who wanted me to... Read More

Four Steps to Goal Setting

When setting goals it is important to know if the... Read More

Do you Have the Burning Desire to Lose Weight or Reach any Goal?

NOTE: This article is one of the component parts of... Read More

Combining the Mind and Effective Goal-Setting

Goals are of vital importance in our lives. Many of... Read More

Achieving Your Goals by Using One Word

One of my favorite techniques for achieving goals is to... Read More

Goal Setting - The Facts Behind The Fiction

To have hopes and dreams for the future is a... Read More

Goal Setting and Goal Getting: Go Use This Stuff!

Q. I have always had such trouble with doing this... Read More

Create Your Path to Success - Achieve Key Goals

Creating your path to success depends on walking on a... Read More

Settling For More

You have enormous promise! Why compromise?I once heard one self-professed... Read More

Mission Statements Improve Goal Setting and Decision Making

A Mission Statement consists of a short phrase or a... Read More

7 Effective Ways To Set Your Goals In Motion Today

1. Stop seeking approval from people.You don't need anyone's permission... Read More

Reaching Your Goals: A Ridiculous Way to Succeed

If you've ever had any sales training, you've probably been... Read More

Set Your Mind To Win!

Have you ever heard someone say, I could do it... Read More

Hustle While You Wait

Everything comes to those who hustle while they wait -Thomas... Read More

How Clear is Your Vision?

Wouldn't it be nice to know that there is a... Read More

Get Your Priorites Right!

I have been with this marketing business for a few... Read More

Setting Goals ? Things to Think About

We hear a lot about the steps we should take... Read More

What Do You WANT? What Do You DESERVE?

INTRODUCTIONThis article is used for discovering our needs from life,... Read More

Achieve Your Goals By Eating The Frog And The Elephant

Brian Tracy, the great motivational guru, often suggests that people... Read More

Prerequisite Qualities For Optimum Goal Setting

The minute you set a goal, you are creating a... Read More

How To Score Your Own Goals With Sarah

Do you know where your company is going? Do you... Read More

Time for a Change

As 2005 approaches, many of us are thinking about change.... Read More

Personal Development - The Plan

(excerpted from the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan - Week... Read More

Focus On Your Goals Without Envying Others

Many of us waste too much time envying others instead... Read More

Keep Your Attention On What You Want

Have you ever wondered: "How does this 'Law of Attraction'... Read More

It Takes A Lot Of A Little To See The Good Times Roll

Have you ever wondered why some people are just naturally... Read More

Want to Learn Something New Today?

How many times do you say, "Gee, I wish I... Read More