We all do it. As a college freshman, or at any point in our life, we plan out exactly how we picture our lives in four years. But there is always something wrong with that picture. Somehow, we all seem to believe that in four years the life around us will change, but we never seem to picture the changes that will occur within ourselves. Eventually, we start to get frustrated that things rarely go as planned, but there are reasons for this.
You learn more about yourself.
We hear this all the time and I know it gets annoying, but it's so true. Each year, we tend to realize just a little bit more about who we are. Slowly but surely, we all begin to trust ourselves. Once we develop the skill of self-assurance, our minds begin to change. We start to understand which goals are realistic and construct the best ways to achieve them. This might even mean completely turning your life around.
You learn to say no.
It's hard to say no to people, especially friends, but it's necessary sometimes. As we grow up, we learn that there are nights when we need to spend time alone. We also know when we are taking too much on our plate. In this case, learning the power of "no" helps you manage your priorities. This one word gives you the power to make your life your own instead of doing what others want you to do. More importantly, making time for yourself gives you confidence to make independent decisions.
You learn more about the people around you.
Whether it's for networking or just general curiosity, getting to know the people around you adds to your success. Meeting one new person could completely change your life forever. As life goes on, the individuals around us begin to build who we are and introduce us to new opportunities. They might have a huge role in our future that we never even pictured in the first place.
You learn to let go and move on.
This might mean relationships. This might mean places. This might mean memories. As the years go on, we realize that looking forward is the only way to make progress. The past can be a huge distraction in our lives and prevents us from feeling the confidence we need to make changes. The past will always be a part of you, but learning to let go gives you the freedom to expand your life experiences.
You learn to hold higher expectations.
There is nothing wrong with holding high expectations. This shows that you know how much you are worth. As we get older, we decide to not let certain people or situations waste our time or get the best of our emotions. Holding higher expectations will place you around people who will hold you accountable for your actions, which will help your life move in a better direction.
So here's my advice...
Make goals but don't make plans. In the next four years our minds will be opening to new opportunities and relationships that will forever change our future.You should always reach for improvement in all areas of your life. Treat each day as the next step towards your goals, but remember that nothing comes easy. The plans we create can make our expectations too high, but it's important to know that innovation begins when limitations occur.
