"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than be the ones you did. So throw away the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
-- Mark Twain

This year marks the 5th anniversary of 9-11, a life-altering event that changed so many lives and our whole world. This is one of those event that you will never forget... I bet you still remember exactly where you were and what you were doing when you first learned the tragic news.

Do you also remember where you were in life, in your career, in your relationships back then? Do you remember your hopes and dreams, or your goals back then? Now, 5 years later, how much of your goals have you accomplished? Are you at a better place in your life? Or are you still wishing & hoping and nothing got done? Perhaps you let your fear or limiting beliefs hold you back, or worse, you feel like a powerless victim of your circumstances.

If there is one thing that I've learned from 9-11, that is life is too short. Nobody is guaranteed a tomorrow. All we really have is today, this present moment. If there is something you want to do, some dream you want to pursue, do it now. Begin today.

It doesn't matter what you have or have not accomplished so far in life. Your past does not dictate your future; nor does your circumstances. Every single day we are given fresh, precious 24 hours, a clean slate, to create whatever we believe is possible. It's always your choice, your next move.

Take a moment to think about 9-11. Think about what it means to you. Then think about your dreams and goals. Where do you want to be 5 years from now? 10 years from now? What's the one thing (or 10 things) that you absolutely have to do before you die? Get very clear & specific about your goals, and give yourself some deadlines. As Diana Scharf Hunt said, "Goals are dreams with deadlines." Once you have clear goals, you can then design a step-by-step action plan to achieve them.

Get whatever support you need to achieve your goals. Get more training. Join a mastermind group. Ask someone to keep you motivated. Hire a coach. It's OK to ask for help. But, the important thing is to TAKE ACTION, and keep moving forward toward your goals.

President Theodore Roosevelt once said, "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."

You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start in order to become great.

As Dr. Wayne Dyer often says, "Don't die with your music still in you". Whatever you want to do, begin today.

Labels: empowerment, goal-setting, inspiration, inspired action, mastermind, present moment, vision