Write it down, get it done

By Michelle L. Casto, M.Ed.

Resources on: Written, Wish and Goal

It’s that time of year again, the time for optimistic thinking and resolution making. If you are not mindful, another year will pass you by taking with it your dreams and aspirations.

Have you ever wondered why you can’t seem to make forward progress in your life? It is usually because you have not taken the time to find out what you want and commit it to paper. 

Someone once said, “A goal not written is but a wish.” And this is completely true. Without writing down what you want, it often becomes just “wishful thinking.” In fact, a Harvard University study proved that those people who wrote things down got five times more accomplished than those who did not. Listen up fellow dreamers! 

There is a simple solution to making your dreams come true, and it is writing. When you write things down on paper (or type them on the computer), you are directly connecting with your soul. It is important to create your life around what your inner self wants vs. what your ego needs. Writing provides you the access to your own questions and answers.

Essential things to write down include your life vision, your life purpose, and your life goals. Other things to write about include your thoughts, dreams, goals, ideas, etc. As a writer, and very goal-oriented person, I have achieved miraculous things by simply thinking, writing, and reflecting. I am a true believer in the magic of the written word. 

By some simple, pure process, writing unlocks your soul’s desires, brings them to the light, and gives you the opportunity to make them a real priority. To get more of what you want this year, it is as easy as 1-2-3-4. 

1. Listen to your intuition to remember what you really want. (What do you want to do, who do you want to be, what lights you up?) 

2. Write about it often. (Use an idea journal, to do lists, and personal organizer to capture your thoughts.)

3. Develop an action plan. (Strategize and write up your plan in detail and evaluate it daily/weekly/monthly.) 

4. Enthusiastically take action. (Do something everyday to support your dreams and goals.) 

There really is no great mystery to getting things done. It real comes down to commitment. You see, when you are committed to a goal, project, or change; you will naturally want to think about it, write about it, and make time for it. It is only when you are uncommitted that you fail to make it happen. 

In fact, if you don’t achieve the goals you set for yourself, you can conveniently blame it on someone or something else:
“The economy is sluggish, so I can’t start my business now”
“There are no good men out there, so why even bother dating” 
“I work too many hours, so I don’t have time to work out” 
Are you noticing all the “so’s” in each of these statements? 

The real question is So what?! Do you really want to go into your business, find your life partner, or take care of yourself? Or are you just kidding yourself and making a half-hearted attempt? Being uncommitted is also much easier and less risky because you avoid failure, which brings to mind the saying, “Those who don’t try and fail don’t make much.” In other words, you don’t make forward progress in life. 

You have to set goals and risk not meeting them in order to experience enough of a stretch for personal growth. The truth is if you really want these things, you will do whatever it takes to make your dreams a reality! So become totally committed to your life, your dreams, your goals! Today is the best day to write it down and get it done! 

Michelle L. Casto, M.Ed. is a Whole Life Coach, Speaker, and Author of the Get Smart! LearningBook Series, books on romantic relationships, career development, and stress management. Her coaching practice is Brightlight Coaching, she helps people to come up with bright ideas for their life, and empowers people to freely shine their brightlight to the world. Visit virtually: www.getsmartseries.com or www.brightlightcoach.com Sign up for her monthly Get Smart! Live Smart newsletter: Getsmarter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com