So, tomorrow is April 1st. The first quarter of the year is gone just.like.that. Did you set any goals when this new year rolled in? Do you remember what they were? So many of us start the new year with a bang. Our bang turns into a slow fizzle, then to an all out dud after a few months (sometimes weeks) into the year. There are lots of reasons for this. One thing that stands out with me is I think I can be overly ambitious. I’m not whining, trust me! I have huge plans and sometimes I’m distracted or I’m not always realistic about the time I have to work these plans. Can you relate?
Sometimes my ambitions totally overwhelm my abilities.
1 First, know your why. Why do you want to do all of this stuff anyway? Why do you have such grand plans and ideas? What’s your reason for it all?
2 Once you figure that out, narrow your ideas down. It’s time to set some priorities. What of all of your ideas means the most to you? What are you most excited about? If it’s about money – what’s going to bring you the best returns?
You CAN do everything, superwoman. You just can’t do it all at the same time! Narrow your list down to 1-3 things to tackle at a time.
3 Vision board, anyone? Have you made one? What are you waiting for? Having a vision board is a great way to put your goals in your face! Keep it somewhere that you’ll definitely see it everyday. Having that constant visual will have you subconsciously doing the work you need to do to make your goals reality. Here’s my board I did in March 2014. I’m working on the update now.
4 Don’t eat the whole enchilada! Break your goals down and create milestones! Then, you can make small actionable steps toward your goals. Your finish line won’t seem so far off if you create milestones to celebrate your successes along the way.
5 Flex that “no” muscle. Learn to say no to things that will needlessly detour you. It’s like heading to the gym but stopping by Krispy Kreme to get a “hot” half dozen on the way. I mean, um. No bueno. #sabotage
55 Comments on When Ambition Goes Bad
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I have used vision boards before and they are definitely helpful – if to prioritize the ideas if nothing else. Great tips!
First of all….that song kills me. I seriously laugh out loud every time I hear it. It’s pretty spot on, in some circles, (Ahem, Hollywood).
Anyway, I suffer from overwhelming ambition, too. It’s easy to get swept up in all of my ideas and lose focus. I need to stop eating the whole enchilada! And make a vision board. Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
Robin recently posted…Bay Area Fun: Adventure Playground in Berkeley
These are great tips and ideas. I do have a vision board. It definitely helps in keeping my goals in perspective.
Kim recently posted…Hair Care Tuesdays: Spring is in the air…IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BUN BABY!!!
Great tips to work out what you should be doing–and what you shouldn’t.
My goal is to write a blog every day. I know I can achieve it, based on the experience of doing so every day for the last 2 1/4 years. Wow! Didn’t that first quarter of this year fly by?
These are some great tips, I think I suffer from bring overly ambitious at times. Sometimes I just get sidetracked with the tasks of the day to complete whatever I may be trying to do on the daily…but the bigger goals, I stay on top of because I do what I say and I say what I mean!
Aubrey @ 53 Weeks recently posted…Different with ME than with DADDY
I loved this post! I use a vision board too. I created it in Picasa so that I can have it on my desktop while I work. There’s nothing like having that visual of where you want to go to keep you inspired.
P.S. Your new website is absolutely beautiful! 🙂
What’s helped me the most is learning to say know when it’s obvious that potential clients don’t value me or what I can do for them as they should. If I accept low ball offers, low ball offers are all I’ll get.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle recently posted…Mom Me-Time Sweepstakes from Best Western – ENTER TODAY!
Ambition is a double edged sword. It can drive you to be better, but it can also make you forget about other important things outside of your work.
Melissa Pezza recently posted…I am not myself when Hungry!! SNICKERS® to the Rescue…
Slicing my goals into small bite sized pieces is the best way for me to stay on track — I’ve learned this over the years. An bunch of small bites can get me a long way into a big project. Thanks for a great post on staying focused on our goals!
Kimberly
FiftyJewels.com
vision boards RULE! I feel like sometimes I get worn out from always going. I definitely need to learn to say No more often and work on smaller chunks of my overall goal.
Heather @ The Nerdy Fox recently posted…Blogiversary Fun!
Great ideas! I haven’t ever used a vision board before but I can see it being super helpful. Ambition is a hard one for me as lately I feel pretty worn out and busy! But I’m working on it
I need to create a vision board…i’m a very visual person. I also need to set smaller goals so i can actually get things done. I get bored easy.
Anne – Mommy Has to Work recently posted…Disney on Ice – Jacksonville, Fl April 9-12
For me, having a list of my priorities and what my goal(s) are help to keep me on track. I also have learned the power of no, unless it has a benefit for both myself and the other person!
These are really great tips. I set some goals, but didn’t really achieve any of them. Life in general just seems to be getting in the way.
It took me a long time to learn to say “no” to requests. I’m much more focused and in control of my direction now.
Liz Mays recently posted…Embassy Suites #PrettyGreat Family Travel Hacks Program
Thanks for sharing! I definitely love the vision board idea. I gave a vision board party last year and everyone enjoyed it. It helped others and they were able to cross off accomplishments as they completed them. A definite motivator to continue on!
Daria recently posted…5 Reasons YOU Should FLUSH Your Excess Baggage and Move On
I’m a terrible procrastinator. That’s probably the biggest thing in between me and my goals.
I’m a list maker, but I’m a horrible procrastinator. I really do need to follow some of your tips. I think the one that I need to work on the most is to break my goal down into smaller pieces that are easier to accomplish. Then I can achieve some of the smaller portions and see where I’m heading toward my goal.
Janelle recently posted…LEGOLAND Florida
I flex that NO muscle all the time. It took me a while to get over the fear of saying no, but I know I’m better off for it.
I think realizing that it’s NOT failure but over ambition is hard for me. No one likes disappointment
Christie recently posted…Gorton’s Seafood Smart & Crunchy Prize Pack Giveaway
A vision board is a great idea for me! My problem is that I set goals but I don’t break them down into steps toward the goal… so need to fix that!
These are great tips! I actually consider myself extremely ambitious and an overall go-getter. I enjoy making goals and accomplishing them!
This is such great advice. I think you are so right about breaking big tasks into chunks, its much easier to handle that way.
Demetra @SweetSavant recently posted…Birthday Funnel Cake #recipe
I really like the idea of the vision board. I used to create them at work, but they along the wayside when I became a work-at-home mom. Time to get back on track, and this is a great way to get it back together.
Ora Lee Gurr recently posted…Traveling Tuesdays: Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam World Tour – Boomtown March 28, 2015
I do really well with making a list. I’ve got so many big ideas, and get disappointed if I can’t get to all of them.
Crystal recently posted…A Fun Family Experience at Russo’s NY Pizzeria
These are great tips to achieving one’s dream. Being motivated is an important thing as well. Thanks for the tips!
Alissa recently posted…When You Don’t Know What To Blog About
Breaking it down is a good one. I have been learning to use my no muscle. It’s hard but worth exercising. 😉
Vision boards are so important I have always wanted to make one but just never saw how it would help me, but seeing that ambition can be so overwhelming especially when you feel like you are running out of time its essential! Great Post
Great tips! I have some vision boards. I need to create a new goal one on Pinterest or something. The last few weeks I have had to re-outline my business plan and work through some changes.
Chrystal @ YUM eating recently posted…How to Get Started Creating a Meal Plan
What a great post! I do some of these things, but my vision board is more of a post it note mess. Haha. And my “no” muscle is unfortunately about the strength of the rest of my muscles, which is to say it is weak. I definitely need to make work on making my ambition and my ability on the same level.
Amy @ Accidental Happy Baker recently posted…Rainbow Lemon Meringue Pie
I have always thought about doing a vision board. I will have to start deciding what i want to put on it.
Time management is my biggest downfall. My kids often throw wrenches into my fully planned day. I do try to keep lists to follow.
Girl visionboards are real! This is my 3rd year making one and they have all manifested some beautiful things. I asked for this year to be able to travel blog and now I am working as an official blogger for a travel agency! I still have other goals to accomplish but happy that major one was given to me!
Kiwi recently posted…The Cure for the Common Hangry #WhenImHungry
I love coming to your site because it is like a virtual motivator! I love your advice and do think I need to make a vision board for my q2 goals.
Amy Desrosiers recently posted…Cinnamon Sugar Heart-Shaped Waffles Made with Love & a Giveaway!
I needed this! Great tips & I especially like the “You can do everything, Superwoman — just not all at once!”
I know all too well how ambition can go wrong, unfortunately, lol! I have an overly ambitious personality which sometimes does more harm than good, and contributes further to my impatient (another character flaw!). I always have to reign myself back in and look at the reality of certain situations.
A vision board is such a great idea. I always see people make them, but never thought of making one myself. Something I just may have to consider! 🙂 #blmgirl
Tenns recently posted…April Freebie | Bloom Where You’re Planted Calendar Wallpaper
I love that quote “Ambition is enthusiasm with a purpose”! I often take on way too much, and I really enjoyed your helpful tips. Thank you!
Angie recently posted…Friday Favorites & Blogger Love {Easter Edition}
the whole enchilada thing is SO TRUE. i was always all or nothing and failed more than i succeeded. now that i break things down, i’m able to be much more successful- but more importantly, when i fail, it’s not the end of the world. it’s more like a blip
brett recently posted…Vanilla Blueberry Banana Shake
lol i love making vision boards.. but i am so guilty of spending more time on writing out my goals or making vision boards than i am actually spending time on accomplishing them.
Local Adventurer recently posted…15 Best Hikes in the US: Day Hikes Edition
Great post that also serves as a good reminder to all about ambitions overwhelming abilities! Thanks for sharing
I think the vision board is an excellent idea. i have actually not made one before. It’s always on my todo list..
AJ @ NutriFitMama recently posted…Grab & Go Snacks from Publix + $15 Paypal Giveaway #SnackShareSave
Great post! I find I’m so much more productive and successful when I have a plan. I’m a creative soul so my natural tendency is to be a bit all over the place, but intention is everything.
Sage recently posted…Travel Tuesday
These are really great tips for making ambition realistic. I have so many goals and feel so down when they don’t materialise. I need to learn to break things up and make milestones.
I can definitely be overambitious, but I’m also a huge planner. I make lists and do research until I panic and need to reset myself. It’s all worth it in the end, though, because I end up with a nice map of where I want to go and how to get there 🙂
Liz Leiro recently posted…Motivational, Moody Monday
This was such a great reminder for me…I tend to get extremely overwhelmed. The fact that you pointed out that a quarter of the year is already over totally hit me HARD but I guess I just have to really enjoy and make the most out of the next nine months!
I write my goals on my calendar. I find it is helpful to envision things and ideas
Dogvills recently posted…Pitbull Puppy Training Tips – Leash Walking is the First Step
Wonderful post! I do have a vision board now but I hadn’t before. It really does help with my motivation.
This is a great list that screams truth! Agreeing with you on all of them, specially in breaking that enchilada down
Coolchillmom recently posted…SNICKERS® Keeps a Crazed Hungry Mama Bear Away
I have so been there. I’ve made mile long lists and the biggest dreams ever; only for them to fizzle because it became too much. I’ve learned to scale back quite a bit.
Reginia Cordell recently posted…Spring Time at Miracle Garden Dubai
These are awesome tips on not getting overwhelmed by your ambitions. I believe fear of not doing things right slows me down. I love the idea of being superwoman but just not being able to do everything at the same time. This is what I need to remember. Thanks for sharing.
I love the phrase in your post “superwomen do everything…just not at once!” It’s SO TRUE!! It’s important to just take one step at a time!
#4 Resonates with me the most. I have so many goals and I struggle with achieving them one step at a time.
Aprill recently posted…Shopbop Friends And Family Spring 2015
Thank- You for the motivation! I need it!
Great post. I have been thinking about making a vision board since last year, it’s probably time I get to that project.
Mercedes recently posted…dermalogica PreCleanse
Great thoughts! It’s hard to believe we are already in April! Better get on some of my goals before the year is finished!
Penny Struebig recently posted…Who Is Shonda Rhimes?