As we go about our daily lives, we must remain aware of our surroundings and proceed with caution. Not only should we be keenly aware, but we should also be protective of our personal happiness. “Distractions” are what keep us from reaching the many short and long-term goals that we have every intention on fulfilling. The worst part is that once you realize that five years have passed, and you’re still working on that BIG career move or FABULOUS business idea, you become saddened and frustrated that you allowed all that time to slip away with no tangible results. So, what “distractions” am I referring to?

Bills, Bills, Bills.

In order to make any major moves in life, you must have a good handle on where your money is going. This means only spending what is necessary and staying at your current job – even if you dislike it. There’s no sense in quitting your dead-end job only to have to borrow money from friends and family to make ends meet. If you are thinking about making a career change or starting a business, pay down/off your debts and start putting away enough money to cover your living expenses for at least twelve to eighteen months. Of course this is going to take tremendous sacrifice, but it will definitely offer peace of mind at the end of the day.

And, even if you are satisfied within your current occupation, it is always good practice to save a portion of your discretionary income in case miscellaneous emergencies arise…as they always do.

The Company You Keep.

Be careful who you choose to surround yourself with. Not everyone is good for you and not everyone has your best interest at heart. This includes family, friends and even significant others. Take some time to evaluate your current relationships to determine if all parties are bringing an equal amount of effort to the table. In order to reach your goals, you must have a strong support system as well as faith in your own abilities.

Not Feeling “Quite Right”.

Heartbeat. Pulse. Blood Pressure, etc. They are called “vital signs” for a reason. Your health is the most important thing you must be cognizant of to reach your goals. You cannot operate at full capacity when you are stressed, not getting enough rest, eating poorly, not exercising and ignoring obvious symptoms that could mean something more serious is going on in your body. You will be forced to slow down if you do not pay attention to the signs and address them.

2017 is more than halfway finished and I encourage you to take some time to revisit your New Year resolutions to see how many you’ve accomplished. Carefully examine your finances, relationships and health. If you aren’t happy with your progress, in any of these areas, now is the time to make the necessary adjustments. Your life depends on it.

By N. Renee McFadden

Co-Publisher, Purpose Weekly