Accomplishing My Summer 2021 Goals

Prior to Summer starting, I got myself a journal from my stationery collection and began writing some things down that I wanted to accomplish for this specific summer. I rewrote these goals 4 different times on 4 different occasions as Summer approached because I wanted to make sure the goals were SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time Based). I rehearsed what I needed to get done and I made it happen with the help of God. Was I able to accomplish all that I wanted to do? Yes! And I am beyond happy and proud of myself for doing so. The golden question you may be wondering is, “How”? “How did you manage to accomplish 11 of 12 goals within a matter of 2 months”? One goal was to go to the beach but the weather did not cooperate on the days that I was free to go.

The answer to the golden question is a simple one: By pushing myself. People honestly do not understand how much pushing I had to do to get what I wanted done. I was my own cheerleader. These two months were my summer vacation to relax and put away all work but I had goals I wanted to accomplish so I had to focus and buckle down. I worked summer school 8-1pm Monday-Friday for an entire month and it was not easy. I played two roles while at work. I was a school psychologist conducting evaluations when I had time while also being a classroom teacher. When I would come home, I would be so exhausted that I had no desire to do anything. Working with Developmental Delayed children and those with Autism is not easy so I commend those who do. However, I had no choice but to push myself. I would even complain as I would work on one of my goals and complain the whole way through about how tired I was but I got it done.

The reason why you may not be accomplishing your goals is because: 1. You’re not writing it down. The Word of God says to write your vision and make it plain (Habakkuk 2:2). You have it all in your head and you feel like that’s good enough but God just told you through that scripture that that won’t work. You must write it down! And 2. You feel like you need to be motivated in order to accomplish it. Let me be the first to tell you that motivation will not help you accomplish your goals. Do you know how many times I was unmotivated and had no desire to do anything pertaining to my goals? Like it was my summer vacation!!! I should have spent the summer as such but no, I hustled. A lot of my accomplishments that happened this summer was because I forced myself to get up each day and do what I needed to do. You may feel like you have to wait until the desire and love is there but to be honest, your love and desire for something sometimes wouldn’t even help you accomplish your goals. What helps you is when you literally force yourself to do it despite your emotions, and you push pass all negative thoughts and discouragement from others.

Now it’s your turn. Although the summer is over, we have approximately 4 solid months left of 2021 and you are in a great position to still make things happen. So what I want you to do is write down a minimum of 5 goals that you want to accomplish for yourself. Go ahead and make your goals as specific and simple as can be. You can add more goals but I highly suggest you start out with 5 especially if you have a hard time with consistency, discipline, and dedication, or if you are someone that gets overwhelmed easily like myself. I’ve been goal setting for years so 11 for me works!

2. Create a time frame of when you want to accomplish these goals. Let it be realistic especially because the reality of it is is that you have other things going on in your life. I would say a time frame of 2-4 months is best.
3. Have an accountability partner. I didn’t really have one this summer. I just kept it between God and I, and I asked Him for help to get it done. Ask a friend, a family member, or a trusted individual to help you help yourself push. If you don’t have anyone at the moment, know that God is always there.
4. Keep your goals by your bedside so that you can see it at least once every single day to remind yourself of what you need to be working towards.
5. PRAY!! You have not because you ask not (James 4:3, Matthew 7:7-8). Ask God to give you the consistency, discipline, and dedication to accomplish your goals.
6. The last step is to celebrate!! If you check out my personal Instagram @lovelikedria, you always see me posting pictures of when I go out to eat, dress up, go places, etc. and that’s because those are my little celebrations. Everybody gets to post their thing so why can’t I?! I used to care but I’ve gotten to a point where I don’t care anymore if 2 or 200 people like my pictures. I do it all for me as my own documentation of my accomplishments and that’s what you need to be doing for yourself. Celebrate each accomplishment!

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