Waiting is Productive

by Zoe Routh

What to do when you can't figure out your goals? At a loss to know 'what next?' Sometimes doing nothing is the perfect thing to do.

Have you ever tried to set some goals and got completely stuck as to what to write? Many of my clients struggle to identify meaningful and powerful goals. It all seems like hard work. Or they have tried before only to have their goals not be realised and have become a little jaded by the experience. Sometimes writing goals are the last thing we feel like doing -we lack inspiration.

I was stuck this New Year planning my goals. This is the first time ever I have been at a loss as to what to write. I am usually itching to get going, make plans, and dream big. This year was different. This year it was ho-hum, been there, done that. Goals shmoals.

All this was a little disconcerting - it went against everything I knew and understood as a coach and human being. Setting goals, writing them down, creating a realistic action plan - these are the basics in achieving what you really really want in life. So now what? What did I really want in life?? I thought that having been through cancer,surgery, and chemotherapy I would be a little clearer on things. I realised then that clarity was one thing, reality another.

After cancer I knew that family and friends and enjoying each day was the most important thing in the whole world to me. That was what life was about. But what about work? What about finances? What about learning? These things somehow seemed trivial, less important, and shallow than the immediate focus of valuing each day.

I knew that I was somehow missing something. Where was my passion for my work? Where was my passion for achievement and learning? Where was my passion for discovery and growth?

I decided to wait. I made no big decisions. I kept my appointments. I did some work. I asked the universe for some guidance.

The universe responded. I nearly canceled the appointment with this potential client, and then decided it would be too rude to cancel at such a late stage. So I met 'Adam' for coffee. And my world changed.

The one hour I spent with Adam unlocked all my passion and energy again. It turns out there are other beings out there who feel the same tension of trying to live life to the fullest each day and plan for the future. It is a dichotomy that is not easily resolved. This gentleman shared with me his ambitious plans to become the top of his industry and retire in three years, at the age of 45, without losing his family and health in the process like his predecessors. Did I want to help him get there? Adam was asking me to step up and play a big game, a very BIG game - of real life where goals and living life to the fullest can be achieved without sacrificing one for the other. Was I ready? Was I ever! Adam inspired me to be more, achieve more, and pull out a few dreams I had shelved a while ago.

That's when I got it. Life is for living - live now and plan for living tomorrow.

Take action: Next time you feel like you are butting your head up against a brick wall, be calm. Wait. Don't try to force a solution oran answer. Enjoy the day. Rejoice in small pleasures. Ask for guidance.Notice when something turns up - it will. In a big way.

Laser Thoughts "You only get one chance in this body - give it your best shot." - me

"The secret of success in life is for a person to be ready when his opportunity comes." - Benjamin Disraeli

"If you can't get out of it, get into it." - Sheryl