Being There
Engaged people focus their actions on meeting goals. They have clearly established goals that are important to them and they are committed to meeting those goals. They know where they are headed and why is important to get there. These goals may be modest and self-centered requiring little action, or they may be bolder goals to learn, gain strength, achieve, imagine, create, and help others. Goals carefully chosen based on well-chosen values are the source of inspiration, engagement, and committed action.
Autonomy also increases along with a corresponding level of personal responsibility. Engaged people make their own decisions, act on those decisions, and take ownership for the results.
Getting There
Studying these resources and conscientiously practicing the skills they describe will help you stop thrashing and become engaged.
Recommended Study:
Establish meaningful goals.
Write them down.
Align them with your well-chosen values.
Manage your time and actions to meet those goals.
Keep your goals in mind. Align your to-do list with your goals.
Ignore distracting impulses and temptations so you can direct your activities toward your goals.
Ask yourself: “Is what I am doing now the most important thing I can be doing to reach my goals?”
Revise your goals from time to time to reflect your progress and align more closely with your evolving values.
Clear and effective short-term goals are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Goals that lack our personal commitment are not likely to be achieved.
Increase your strength, stamina, and endurance:
Improve your health
Eat healthier foods.
Improve your fitness
Walk more often to more places.
Exercise regularly.
Recommended Reading:
Reading these books will help get you engaged:
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey
The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life, by Rosamund Stone Zander, and Benjamin Zander
Community: The Structure of Belonging, by Peter Block
Moving On
Continue to stay engaged as you work toward courage.
Quotations:
“The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.” ~ Mohandas K. Gandhi