Meaningful Goals

Whether you’re a college grad, young professional or in mid-career, chances are you’ve already faced challenges that seemed overwhelming. Throughout your career, you’ll continue to face opportunities to choose one path or another, but without clear, meaningful goals - and the gumption to pursue them - you may find your path veering from the life you really want.

This is one of the key messages of Sharon Price John, author of “Stories and Heart: Unlock the Power of Personal Stories to Create a Life You Love,” and president and CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop. Reflective exercises John guides readers through include:

* Brainstorming goals for the next five years.

* Listing wishes for lifelong experiences.

* Identifying values that are most important to you.

* Rejecting the negative voices in your head.

* Understanding how perfectionism can block achievement.

* Redefining failures.

* Listening to your own instincts.

* Imagining your goals being met - and taking specific actions to get there.

Harnessing your gumption to achieve what you want

“If you’re unfamiliar with the term, the word ‘gumption’ is a little different from determination. Gumption is a mix of drive, passion and creativity - not just sheer will,” adds John. “This is where the concept of being dedicated to your goals becomes important. The power to create a life you love is within you.”

In “Stories and Heart,” John shares that beyond identifying the specific life goals most important to you, the next crucial step is learning to harness your dedication, faith and gumption to take concrete actions in pursuit of those goalseven when you’re unsure of the outcome. Taking positive action toward those goals, even in small steps, provides the fuel necessary to achieve them.

“When we identify what it is we really want, our ability to have conviction in achieving those goals increases. It is pretty incredible the things we can achieve when we understand the power of directing our efforts toward a specific desire or outcome,” John explains. “Real momentum in life starts when you clarify and begin taking steps, with conviction, toward something desirable.”