We’ve all heard the story “Oh the Places You’ll Go” written by the quirky Dr. Seuss. It’s a cute yet inspiring little tale of exploring great places, seeing great sites, and meeting great people. Perhaps my favorite line in the whole book is the one in the photo: “You’re off to great places. Today is your day. Your mountain is waiting. So get on your way.” Some people may think it’s silly to glean inspirational knowledge from a children’s book, but I am not one of them. I think Dr. Seuss is telling all of us, young or old, that each day has the potential for something truly incredible to happen. The problem is, most of us are squandering the opportunities of a brand new ‘today’ that we are given each time we wake up.

You’re Off to Great Places.

Oh the monotony of the 5 day work week. Hell, any work week for that matter is mundane. Boring, loathsome, repetitive, soul-sucking… Any of us that’s worked a 9-5 job can attest. So how do you break the cycle? How do you discover what great places you may be off to? How do we make this day different than all the rest? I’ll tell you this much, it’s not by day-dreaming about what you’re going to do tomorrow.

1. Self-Reflect

So the first step to figuring out your destination for today is to look deep within yourself and find out what it is that’s missing from your life. Maybe you already have a great relationship, a loving dog, a good workout routine… so then what? Do you have hobbies? Do you like to create art? Maybe you love reading and haven’t read a good book in years. It doesn’t matter what it is, figure out what all those little missing things are that are making your heart just a little bit sore.

2. Find the path

No I don’t mean find the path you are meant to be on. Instead, look for the steps required to reach your desired goals you just laid out. You don’t have to figure out all the logistics now, but just evaluate how realistic and attainable each of them is. This will help you in deciding which path you’re actually going to take. If you want to start working on art; do you have all the art supplies you need? Do you know where an art studio is? Maybe you have a friend who’s a painter or musician? These are the questions you need to start answering for yourself.

Today is Your Day.

So you’ve taken the time to explore your heart’s inner desires for a moment. Don’t waste it! It’s always a little bit of a let down to think about all those things you’ve been missing in your life, only to let them all slip through your fingers once again. Do not let it happen ever again! Keep telling yourself, ‘Today is MY day’ and you will find a way to make it happen.

1. Start Small

Some of these goals you have may be huge and life-changing like a new career path, while some may just be something you’ve been meaning to do, like do something special for your loved one. Whatever it may be, the way to make your goal realizable is to start on the smallest scale possible. Consider all of your resources; your time, money, and energy, and see what you have left to set aside a little bit of that, TODAY, to start making this goal a reality. If it’s a new career path, then signup for an employment website or reach out to a professional contact you may have telling them what you’re looking for. If it’s something for your loved one, find the nearest gift shop or flower shop and pick something up on the way home (YES, even if it only costs $2).

2. Commit

You just have to follow-through. Make sure you put whatever it is in your planner, in your phone, and on your desk. Make this goal known to yourself and your subconscious mind. The universe will start recognizing your intention and putting things in your path that will help you with getting to your mountain.

Your Mountain is Waiting.

It truly is. Whether you believe in the Law of Attraction, luck, hard work, goal setting, or the power of intention, it doesn’t matter. When you exert your will, and your belief in yourself and what you can achieve, things will start happening. It may not be exactly how you imagined it, but you haven’t climbed this mountain before!

1. Focus, focus, focus

Anyone who has ever climbed a great peak would tell you that it ain’t easy. It never is. Changing your daily routine, finding the beautiful among the mundane, breaking out of your comfort zone, or taking on a new challenging task is always going to daunt you. Think about the first guy to ever climb Everest. NO ONE had done it before and yet he had the gaul to take it on. Why? Because he was able to focus on what it would feel like to be at the top. To be the first. To be on top of the world. You can do this too, but you have to stay focused on the end goal. The path is long and hard, but keeping the top of the mountain in your sight will make it seem much shorter.

2. Take Baby Steps

Great things have small beginnings. And with a small beginning, you are bound to have small steps of progress along your trail. You may even lose ground; have to turn back and start up another, yet related path. That’s OK. It’s impossible to see all the way up the mountain! But that’s what makes it all the more fun, isn’t it? Don’t get discouraged when you aren’t making progress or you have to take a step back. Those are learning lessons for yourself that you will always take with you. Be appreciative of them, for when you get to the top, you will remember them 🙂

So Get on Your Way.

Yup, I said it. Get going! Start brainstorming, or self-reflecting, whatever you want to call it. It’s all the same. Let your mind wander around the possibilities of your life. They’re endless! You can be whatever you want to be, so today is the day to start doing it! Picasso never would have become a painter if he hadn’t first picked up a paint brush! To compare yourself to anyone who has done what you want to do before is silly. They are models, someone to look up to, but they are not you. You will always find your own path up the mountain, and it will be that much more special to you and those in your life, because they will see the journey you make. Your journey will inspire others, and they may even join you on your mountain. But first, you have to take the first step. And here it is waiting for you. So get on your way!