The Big Girl's Guide to Becoming the YOU You've Always Wanted to Be

The Big Girl Chronicles:  The Big Girl’s Guide to Becoming the YOU You’ve Always Wanted to Be

If you’ve lived a little, you already know this.  But just in case you’re a newbie, let me be the first to tell you the road of life isn’t always smooth and straight.  It can include quite a few exasperating peaks and valleys.  Sometimes it seems you can’t get to the good stuff because you’re lost in a labyrinth of road blocks, detours and dead ends that can distract you from your defined purpose.  If this seems all too familiar, don’t continue to spin your wheels in the mud.  Let’s stop and take a look at what can be done to put you back on the road to becoming the person you’ve always wanted to be.

Destination?

Nothing can be more frustrating or disheartening than to consistently fall short of your ambitions.  And if you keep coming up with less, perhaps that’s your cue that it’s time to sit down, reassess and prioritize.  Clearly define what it is you hope to achieve.  Or if necessary, redefine.  Keep those things that are directly related to your desired outcome.  Eliminate everything else that could only be serving as a distraction and cluttering your list.    

Get a map

With your aspirations clearly defined you’re at a starting point.  Now find out exactly what you have to do to make it happen.  If it’s a career, find out exactly what the requirements are.  What are the classes that you have to take?  Where can you go that would put you in the best possible position to achieve your desired outcome?  If your target is weight loss, find the best plan for you to help you manage your eating habits effectively.  No matter what it is you desire, begin working towards bringing that concept into fruition with a clear understanding of what it takes to get there from where you are.

Focus

Once you’re sure about what you want to accomplish and what it takes to get there, you’ll more than likely encounter an obstacle or two called temptation.  How many times have you decided you want to lose ten pounds and then get that invitation to some fabulous event where you’ll be surrounded by all your favorite things to eat?  What about deciding to save for a vacation at coincidentally the same time that pair of shoes you’ve been eyeballing finally goes on sale?  I know how difficult it can be to stay focused.  Just remember that each step you take towards something extraneous puts you that much farther away.  The flip side of that is that each step you make in the right direction puts you that much closer.  Those steps can add up!  Choose wisely! 

Check your attitude

Don’t become your own road block.  Whether you realize it or not, your efforts reflect your attitude.  You can limit your potential if your attitude about what you hope to accomplish is less than positive.  Do whatever is reasonably necessary to give yourself the mental boost that will enable you to begin each day with a healthy outlook. 

Try something different

Take a look at what you’ve been doing thus far to achieve your goals.  What’s been effective?  What hasn’t?  What needs to change?  It could be that a more creative approach would help in getting you there if what you’ve always done hasn’t been working for you.  Maximize all your potential.  Take all those fabulous qualities you’ve grown to love about yourself and apply them to becoming the “you” you’re working towards becoming.  Maximize all the possibilities.  Whatever it is that is directly related to your aspirations, take advantage of that.  The internet is a power source of information that could propel you closer to that desired outcome.  Research all avenues to keep you informed of opportunities that enhance your plans. 

Putting in the work necessary to becoming the “you” that you’ve always wanted to be can be the journey of a lifetime.  Each challenge and obstacle you face builds resiliency and helps you gain experience to overcome the next. And there’s no amount of compromise worth settling for less than what you’re capable of achieving. Manage those times you get discouraged by keeping focused on your desired outcome and the satisfaction that will come from knowing that you gave it your all and your all paid off.  After all, you’re worth the effort!