We talk about it all the time here at GATLUW House. Some might even call it our speciality:

Going after the life you want.

But going after the life you want is no small task. It takes work. Like, a lot of work. And it can feel like one of the biggest challenges you’ll ever face. But if you can master the process in a way that works for your lifestyle, it’s the most rewarding experience you’ll ever have.

If you’re going after the life you want but feel a little lost about where to begin, start with these 7 essential details!

7 Essential Details for Going After the Life You Want

Mindful mornings

In order for you to truly live the life you want, your morning needs to happen on your terms. Instead of settling for the bare minimum just to show up for someone else, give yourself the time to show up for yourself.

Make time in your morning to focus on the things that will pay you back in health, mindset, and body. I have 3 buckets I try to fill each morning: movement, mindfulness, and mastery. I do something in my routine to fill each of those buckets, like waking up my face with skincare as my movement and writing Morning Pages for mindfulness. Choose the 3 things you want to focus on and build your routine around them! Starting your day on your terms is a surefire way to boost your mindset and get you prepared for the tasks that lie ahead.

Exercise

You know your body better than anyone, so find a workout routine that actually works for you. Instead of pressuring yourself to adhere to a workout routine that stresses you out or exhausts you, listen to your body and be kind to yourself in the process. If crossfit is your thing, go for it! If you’d rather start your day with a gentle yoga flow, that’s amazing! Not only does regular movement keep you physically healthy, it does wonders for your mindset too!

Time management

We all get the same 24 hours. Don’t waste it.

Asses where your time is going during the day and see where your attention really lies. Do you find yourself wishing for more hours in the day, but end up on the couch bingeing Netflix before bed? Every night? What pockets of time are you filling with mindless distraction when you could be working towards the things you want most out of life?

Be honest with yourself about where you’re spending your time, and learn to manage it in a way that works for you and your goals. Keep track of what you do throughout the day in your calendar or journal, and evaluate what needs to change. What habits do you need to build that can help you maximize your time? After all, time is not a renewable resource, and what you’ve been given is a gift. Leverage it!

Relationships

It’s not about what you know. It’s who you know and what you can learn from them. In order to reach success, you have to build a network of relationships that will support you in your journey.

One of the best ways to grow your network is to assess how you can bring value to others. Instead of searching for things you can take away from the relationship right off the bat, ask yourself what you can give. What will make you stand out in this person’s mind as a resource? What will help you present yourself as someone worth looking to in times of need?

Start viewing your relationships as opportunities — opportunities for growth, for connection, and for change. You never know who can teach you something, so keep an open mind and an open heart at all times.

Honesty

Be honest with yourself about the things you want out of life, and be honest with the people around you about what it takes to get there. Going after the life you want is a challenge that requires you to be open and vulnerable, even when it may feel uncomfortable.

It can be tough to feel comfortable telling people what you care about or what you want, because those things are personal. They’re not the things we tend to small-talk about over the water cooler. But when you embrace honesty as a priority, you clear the distractions. You stop saying ‘yes’ to things you don’t want to do, and you get clear with yourself about your intentions in life. Start chasing that clarity, and it will carry you through the toughest of times.

Optimism

When we’re doing hard work, we need to be optimistic. The process of going after your goals can be frustrating, but don’t let your mindset be shaken by the hurdles. Instead of getting impatient or blaming others, take a moment to step back and reflect. What are you grateful for in this situation? And instead of worrying about what could go wrong, ask yourself: what could go right?

Fear will constantly try its hardest to crush your optimism, but keep your sights set on the positive. This isn’t to say a false sense of positivity and a fake smile are the necessities, but don’t weigh yourself down with complaints and concerns. Take the good with the bad, and work to find your balance.

Confidence

Confidence is a tricky thing to grasp, and it definitely won’t happen overnight. A sense of confidence in yourself and your abilities is something you have to accumulate over time and work at every day.

Trust in the confidence you have now, and if all else fails, fake it til you make it. We all have to start somewhere, and no one has to know how uncertain you are. Show up, be bold, and go after the life you want. Following those priorities will lead you to the opportunities that ultimately strengthen and develop your sense of confidence.

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QOTD: What does it mean to you to go after the life you want?