Race Against Time: Are You Ready?

Have you ever felt as if you’ve wasted a lot of time spinning your wheels trying to get something done or accomplish a goal but you never seem to achieve the result that you picture in your mind? Do you, at such a time also determine that it is late for you to succeed at this thing that you’ve been chasing for a long time?

I used to feel that way many times; in fact, I feel that way sometimes. One of my greatest fears used to be that I will work for an employer for the rest of my life. I felt that way because of another fear which is the fear of not experiencing true financial freedom during my lifetime– an experience that meant no debts, no payments, just the ability to have the freedom to do what pleases me with money. I used to fear that I will not have enough money to live on after I can no longer work to make money. During times like this I had this feeling of racing against time.

It easy to become afraid and feel like you have not done as well as you thought you should. This is because we live in a world where we constantly compare and contrast with the haves and have nots, apples to oranges, rich and poor, to do or not to do and the list could go on forever. We are simply being hard on ourselves.

We talk ourselves into believing that unless we achieve what someone else has achieved according to their standards then we have not done well at all.  So we set our sights on their goals (not ours), go on an imagined journey with an unrealistic and probably unreachable destination all in the name of measuring up to be like someone else.

It’s okay to admire someone but trying to live their goals is a no-no. This is what I refer as self-diminishing behavior. We see ourselves as someone else and in the process fool ourselves into living their dreams and set unattainable goals and insanely unrealistic standards for ourselves. Stop it!

I stopped believing that I was in a race against time when I realized that:

1. I am different from anyone else
2. That age was a number and it was never too late to start taking the right steps
3. The goals that I set for myself have to be realistic and within reach
4. I have to redefine what progress and success mean to me
5. I had to focus on myself  and be my biggest fan

Since re-evaluating my own position in life, I have not looked back. I have learned to give myself a pat on the back, celebrate small wins and constantly tell myself that I am doing a great job within my circumstances. I find little things to be thankful for in each day, I find ways to help others because I believe that the act of giving or helping others is enriching, and I have learned to step away from negative environments because I find them to be very draining on my physical, mental and spiritual resources.

Although I still work for an employer, I have learned to find happiness in what I do. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have an income that I can use to accelerate my goals. I still have hopes of one day fully being self-employed. I have the skills and abilities.

Each day I spend time to make progress toward my dream. I believe that at the appropriate time the door will swing open and I will step in and step up.  Are there tough days? Yes, of course! But my new-found, positive attitude makes each day a great day regardless of what life throws at me. I try my best to stay positive and keep constantly remind myself that I have a lot for which I need to be strong and stay the course.
I strongly believe that most women feel as if they are in a race against time not only because of age and the desire to accomplish goals before they are too old, but also, age aside, because of they feel a sense of urgency to reach the top. It’s not wrong to want it badly. But desire should be based on genuine personal goals and not goals attributed to your deep desire to be someone else. This can all change when we put stop to measuring our rate of success with that of others, being true to ourselves and start living our truth.