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.”

The next crucial step is learning to harness your dedication, faith and gumption to take concrete actions in pursuit of those goals - even when you’re unsure of the outcome. Taking positive action toward those goals, even in small steps, provides the fuel necessary to achieve them.

Jonathan Maust