3 Quick Steps to Getting where you Want to Go

This contributor post was written by Tiffany Han.

The internet is full of really good advice, huh? Even here, I’ve written about many helpful and useful biz tips: how to say no, how to take a break, how to let things go, how to focus on what you reallyreally want to do.

While all of this advice is fantastic in theory, we hardly ever talk about how to go from Point A (I say yes to everything!) to Point B (I only say yes to things that make me feel really awesome!). In fact, we hardly ever talk about how it’s not Point B at all, but more likely Point X, with intermediaries between beginning and end.

Transition. It’s not a very sexy word, but working out the details of your transitions from where you are to where you want to be is the key to actually getting there. Otherwise, we find ourselves surrounded by a ton of other people’s good ideas with no path for ourselves. (Hint: you ALWAYS have to figure out your own way. Always.)

Here are 3 quick steps to help transition (HA!) you into your own transition:

1. Know where you want to go.

When working with my clients on goal-setting, the first step is to get crystal clear on what your end-goal is. Do you want to have a healthy 3-day a week relationship with Facebook? Do you want to stop saying yes to high maintenance freelance clients? Are you ready to walk away from your day job? Is it time to (finally!) start trusting your intuition?

Identify where you want to land (this could be measurable or not) and dig into that scenario. What would it feel like to give your notice to your boss? What would your day-to-day reality be if you were only doing work you loved? How great would it feel to say goodbye to the friendships that no longer serve you?

I know this sounds hippy-dippy, but focus on the feeling of your goal, so that you can understand why it is so important.

2. Focus on the veryfirstnextstep.

Once you’ve gotten clear on your goal, shift your focus to the right now. Often, when the goal in question feels too far away, paralysis is the direction we trend towards. Instead, figure out what the first thing you should do is. Then do that and repeat.

Easier said than done? If you’re having a hard time figuring out the verybeginning starting point, take 15 minutes and do a brain dump of everything that you’ll need to do. Then, assign an order and priorities to each one. Then start, do one thing, and repeat.

If you’re still stuck on this one, start anywhere. Do one thing. I promise, you’ll feel better afterwards.

3. Embrace the transition.

I know you’re impatient. I know you want it now. I know that it feels like forever before you’ll be able to see any change.

So what?

Yes, transition sucks. But so does staying in a place that’s not serving you. It’s up to you to make the choice to make a change. Once you’ve made the choice and decided to prioritize your goals, getting started is much easier.

Question for you: What transition are you on the brink of right now? Where are you getting caught up? Are you willing to take the “do one thing” challenge this week? Let’s hear all about it in the comments!

Tiffany Han, CPCC is a coach for highly-creative people who want to wake up happy. If you’re feeling the growing pains of running your creative business and are ready to STOP spinning your wheels and actually get stuff done, her blog is sure to light your fire.