4 Ways to Support Your Goals

If it’s opening up your dream coffee shop or going on an international book tour for your bestselling novel–you probably have envisioned what success looks or feels like for you personally. Dr. Jenni Bruning Brown, owner of Fly | A Fitness Revolution talks about what has helped her achieve her goals, and 4 ways you can get the support you need to achieve your goals.

1. Be authentic. Jenni says that we think that in order achieve a goal, we need to compromise. “I always try to be true to myself,” she says. “When I was growing up, I looked up to strong and risk-taking women like my mom and my grandmothers. These women changed how I see the world. Their guidance helped me realize that I can take risks to be who I am and do what I love,” she says. Growing up around these strong women is one of the biggest reasons she was able to leave her job as a sport psychologist and open Fly | A Fitness Revolution. Jenni emphasizes that being true to yourself while making choices during the pursuit of your dreams, you will be successful – and happier –  in the long run. Take risks, step outside your comfort zone when you’re ready, but never compromise who you are on the inside. “The things you love, you love. Never give up on the dream to pursue them,” she says.
2. Share your successes and your knowledge. Jenni says that all too often, people break each other down rather than lifting one another up. “If we focus on the incredible ways we are inspired by our peers and how we can learn from the people around us rather than seeing them as competition, we can lift each other up and reach our goals faster and with a spirit of togetherness,” says Jenni. This inspired community helps all of us improve, and in the end, there is always enough success to go around. Jenni encourages people to not only move away from that competitive way of thinking, but to replace that impulse with an ability to ask for help and look for ways you can learn from others. For Jenni, being willing to mentor others using your own specific skills helps her grow as well.
3. Set a small goal, and go for it. Jenni says that in order to move toward your dream, you just have to do something. It doesn’t have to be huge, in fact, she recommends that it be something small enough that you do it in the next day. “Taking action toward your dream will make you feel accomplished and will give you some momentum,” she says. Today is the perfect day to do something, whether it be making a phone call to the manager at your dream job, or searching for your first house. Whatever it is, just do something.
4. Find a mentor. Is there someone who is doing exactly what you want to be doing or something similar? Talk to them, find out more. Being able to discuss your dreams and talk through possibilities and a plan of action is a powerful way to make progress toward your goal. You might be surprised to find how willing people are to connect to someone trying to walk on a path that they have. A mentor is also a great way to be held accountable in your progress.

Your dreams are well within reach. Using your community and support system to achieve your goals makes the journey that much more rewarding. Find your support, find your community and get after the life you want to live.