CREATIV+NOV+DEC+2020

WWhen was the last time you set out on a
mission to attain a long-sought after
goal, only to find you were no closer to
achieving it that when the idea itself
was first conceived? Though that was
likely a frustrating experience, it is no legitimate
excuse to avoid setting new goals and charting new
paths to turn your dreams into reality. Since we all
can use a boost getting from the base of our
figurative mountains, these tips will prove useful in
maintaining firm footing during our C.L.I.M.B. to
ensure we reach the top.
C.onfidence: The first step on your most
important journey takes place in your mind; you
must believe in your ability to achieve your goal
before you can truly start working towards it. From
an early age, we are taught to doubt ourselves, to fear
the unknown and to limit our dreams. Such defeatist
thinking functions like quicksand or a tarpit; it is a
trap that will slow you down significantly and may
even bring your trek to a premature end. Avoid it at
all costs. Instead feed your mind on a stream of
healthy, reinforcing thoughts that will guarantee
your arrival at the destination of success.
L.earning: We are born into this world with
minds that are blank slates, but during our lives each
day affords a new opportunity for cognitive
development. Just think of it! Anyone can become a
mental giant if they first have a love of knowledge.
Just as skilled athletes will experience muscular
atrophy if they refuse to continue to train, our brains
are in danger of melting into useless goop if we fail to
exercise them daily. Always remember you are what
you eat; feed yourself positivity and stay far away
from naysayers that discourage you from pursuing
knowing more today than you did yesterday.
I.nspration: Much like a car needs fuel to run,
we must have genuine inspiration to keep striving to
reach our goals. Fortunately, it is available in a
variety of forms and often appears when you least
expect it. It is vital that you identify what lights your
fire; many find that nature can be stimulating:
golden sunsets and cotton-candy sunrises, majestic
waves crashing into sandcastles as the tide comes in,
star clusters that twinkle like diamonds up above or
the fiery crimson and orange-hued dizzying flights of
fall foliage. Others discover their creativity is sparked
after meditating on life’s myriad wonders and dwell
on past experiences and conversations to generate
new aha moments.
M.otivation: Given the inevitable bumps in the
road, not to mention the unprecedented challenges
humanity is facing, staying motivated has become
more important than ever before. Imagine if a toddler
after taking his first steps, moodily plopped to the
floor and refused to ever walk any further! While our
first steps are to be treasured, it is the final steps
upon arrival that are truly celebratory. Don’t give up
and never give in; remain focused on your why.
Should you begin to feel the end seems nowhere in
sight, glance briefly behind you as a reminder of why
you chose to move forward in the first place, then
“just keep swimming!”
B.linders: Do not fall prey to the common myth
that the road to success is paved with gold. The harsh
reality is there will be obstacles and challenges galore.
Relegate these to their proper place by viewing them
for what they truly are: distractions. No matter what
tries to hold you back from attaining your goals and
reaching the vey pinnacle of life, you must
progressively train yourself to ignore negativity. Take
a lesson from winning racehorses and keep your
blinders on. Giving a moment’s attention to dream
killers – even internal monsters such as fear or
doubt – could cause lasting damage or cost you the
race. Instead choose higher ground and stay the
course until your aspirations become manifest.
There’s no denying that 2020 has been fraught with
numerous difficulties, but when the going gets tough,
the tough get going. Persistence will pay off so never
stop reaching higher and further. Rest assured the
climb is always worth it. See you at the top!
Yvonne Nobles is the founder
of Life Coaching for Kids, along
with her husband Louis with
whom she shared her first kiss
over 35 years ago.
An avid reader and awardwinning
poet, she’s convinced
that everyone has a story to be
told .
www.creativmag.com | Nov - Dec 2020 | CREATIV | 83