5 Life Achievement Tips from a Recovering Addict
As a recovering addict, I’ve learned a lot about the right and wrong ways to find success in life. We all have our own battles to face, but with a well-planned approach it’s easier to declare victory than you may realize. Here are five tips I recommend to anyone struggling to meet their goals:
Develop a purpose and set goals to achieve it. It’s impossible to get to where you’re going if you don’t have a specific destination in mind. Define your purpose in life, whether it’s becoming the best in your field at work, being a loving provider for your family, or even changing the world. Set goals that will lead the way, starting small — if you want to change the world, start in your neighborhood and grow from there.
Make your goals part of your daily schedule. The more consistent you are with chasing your goals the more likely you are to attain them, so incorporate them into your everyday routine. If you want to spend more time with your family, devote a special block of time to them each evening, even if you can initially only spare a half hour. Commit whole-heartedly but if you do slip up for some reason, forgive yourself and vow to do better tomorrow. Just as Rome wasn’t built in a day, life changes don’t always come easily. The important thing is to consistently try.
Never underestimate the power of a positive attitude. No matter what happens, stay positive. Don’t think of your daily goal-builders as chores, even if they usually feel that way. If going to the gym isn’t your favorite activity, focus instead on the outcome: improved health, more energy, and a better body. Learn from your mistakes instead of dwelling on them. The mistake you make today is one less you’ll make tomorrow.
Don’t just treat symptoms of a problem — get to the root cause. Just as addicts must identify the underlying causes of their addiction to overcome it, you must figure out why your obstacles are there in the first place. If you want to get ahead at work but feel your boss doesn’t take you seriously, consider why this may be the case. Are you vocal in meetings? Do you go to her with problems as they come? Do you assert yourself when possible? Identify the causes to your biggest barriers and then come up with solutions.
Persevere. The truth is, you’re going to have some tough days — maybe even tough weeks — where you’ll want to quit. Don’t. Pick yourself up and keep fighting for what you want. Giving up is easy, but if you stick to your guns the outcome will be worth the battle.
We can all acquire the lives we dream of, but it doesn’t always come easy. Keep these tips in mind and pave your path to personal achievement.
