6 Steps To Starting Your Most Important Project: YOU

By Stacey Rivers | Author | Blogger

We can spend all of our time on everyone and everything else that we sometimes forget to refuel ourselves. When you don't provide the mental maintenance to ensure your own wellbeing, it can be like a stalled car sitting on the side of the road waiting for a jumpstart or a tow. Getting a jumpstart is not a concern if you really need it, but most times it's poor planning on our part that ushers us into a predicament, creating the need to get back on track. The larger issue that some of us encounter is not taking care of self, making it a priority to nurture our soul and replenish what we so willingly give away that is irretrievable: time. 

Taking care of self can be as simple as getting a massage, running an errand without the kids, or taking a couple of hours to read a book because that soothes our soul. Taking care of self can also mean completing the degree that you have put off for years or starting the business you regularly mention to those close to you. I've learned that if I don't make myself a priority, I won't be a priority on anyone else's list. Start now by focusing on you, be determined to feed your passion and complete a personal project. Feeding your passion is the beginning of finding your strengths and talents, which can lead to great career success.

Project YOU: Getting Started

1. Create a quick outline for your project plan and document your overarching goal at the top:  I will spend time doing something I love that feeds my passion.
    
2. List the things you are passionate about and determine how much time you can contribute to this activity each week (Your list is just a brain dump of everything you have a passion for or interest in, you can look at the feasibility or logistics later).
    
3. Rank the list in ascending order with #1 as your highest interest.
    
4. Review each activity for how likely you will be able to start or sustain. If the item proves too challenging now to commit to, move it to a "parking lot" and revisit later.
    
5. Communicate to your immediate circle (family, friends, and anyone who may potentially violate this time) asking for their support. (You can determine what support from each person looks like).
    
6. Make a promise to yourself that whatever comes up, you will schedule around it (not including life threatening issues of course).
    

The goal is to find something that refuels you but it should not feel like work. Update your list often and try new things. You may be surprised at what you uncover and the impact you can have by leveraging your passion to showcase your skills and talents. Spending time with yourself is just as important as anything else, and your future may be brighter by taking the opportunity now to invest in you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stacey Rivers is the director of an executive portfolio management office for a large media company. She is an avid blogger the author of the book "50 Essential Tips For Getting & Keeping The 'Right' Job". For more from Stacey, follow her on Twitter @staceyrivers13.