(A Re-print from the May 2009 "ASPIRATION-INSPIRATION-EMPOWERMENT-MOTIVATION", The Bi-Weekly Ezine for Success Driven Women of Color)Whose D$%N (Yes... I did!) Goals are These ANYWAY?!by V. Ivana Foster, The Confidence ArchitectWherever there is an INHERITED BELIEF you will also find an INHERITED GOAL! (close your eyes and begin to think back now)Just because big sister, mama, and big brother stood behind the counter ready to take the next person's order at the nearest fast food chain DOES NOT mean that you have to do the same thing.Newsflash!!! INHERITED GOALS like INHERITED BELIEFS are OPTIONAL GIFTS!!!!!You have the optional of turning them down OR re-structuring them to fit into YOUR life design.To thine own self be true.When we attempt to walk in the path of someone else's steps, it doesn't quite feel real to us, The same goes for goals. It is easy for someone to add a new goal onto one of your goals and...it is quite easy for YOU to suddenly feel compel to follow that path (i.e. "oh...this is my mother's dream" or "Everyone in the family is a lawyer ..." or "All of my family/friends/associates are married/divorced/single..."). After a while you will not have a clue as to where the goal came from and worse yet....how you got it!!!.Family, friends, and even strangers can offer suggestions for achieving your goals but be sure that the goal still remains uniquely yours.Ask yourself a series of questions to ensure that the current goal(s) do, in fact, belong to YOU!:1. Do you desire to complete this goal?This is an important question. Without motivation for success you won't succeed. Sometimes what you perceive as laziness is a lack of motivation because the goal is in some way not really your idea in the first place.2. Can you define the goal?If a goal comes from your heart, your true desire, you can tell anyone and everyone something about it in just a few words and plenty of passion. Whatever question they ask, you can answer them with enthusiasm because it is a goal that you want to accomplish. When the details are fuzzy, the goal might not be your idea.3. Are you doing it for someone else?If you are preparing to become the next Ebony Beauty Queen because your sister, mother, grandmother, and the women 5 generations down held the title and you could truly care less about the title...then, that goal needs some thought followed by a real conversation with members of the family. You see...it is YOUR responsibility to explain YOUR definition of SUCCESS...First to yourself and then to others (if you so desire)!4. Are you focused?The goal seems to take a long time to complete. Before you let others jump to conclusions about your commitment, you take a look. Are you still committed to the goal? Why is the focus gone?It is not considered quitting when you drop a goal that you discover wasn't yours in the first place.There are NO Failures in Life... Just the RESULTS of Prior Actions........Changing the Actions....Changes the Results!If you DO NOT ACTIVELY choose and design your OWN life goals...someone or something will choose them for YOU!Your Life, Your Dreams, ...Your Responsibility!Listen to the universe, your heart, your soul, and your passion!Success!~Ivana, Life Coach to Success Driven Women of ColorWANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you cite this complete statement with it: Author, Certified Subconscious Restructuring(TM) Coach, Life Empowerment Coach and speaker; Ivana, 'The Confidence Architect publishes the informative, empowering, and motivating 'Aspiration-Inspiration-Empowerment-Motivation' Bi-Weekly EZine, with over 5,000 Success Driven Women of Color. If you're ready to leverage your life, accomplish your goals, and live INSIDE your purpose, passion and dreams; visit www.MyAspirationsDCS.com (for Individual Empowerment Coaching) and www.MyNorthStarLEP.com (for Platinum-Level Group Coaching ALWAYS 24.99 A Month) to receive your FREE introductory North Star LEP membership.Begin your FREE Subscription to 'ASPIRATION-INSPIRATION-EMPOWERMENT-MOTIVATION' to receive coaching and empowerment tips, techniques, and strategies (like the article above) directly in your inbox TODAY.
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