The Importance of Going After What You Want

Experiencing self-doubt is part of being human. It is easy to automatically assume you are not good enough, not talented, or not skilled enough to dream big or get the outcome you want. To assume other people’s dreams come true, but not yours. I think this can be especially true for those in a minority group including people with chronic health concerns or a disability.

People with chronic illness or a disability may not have the opportunities that others do, and when you have faced discrimination and/or felt othered throughout life it can be challenging to imagine good fortune coming to you. Yet, the ability to imagine achieving values-based goals and going after what you want is crucial in getting what you want.

You may not achieve a goal simply because you tried and worked hard, but if you don’t try you will not even have the possibility of reaching your goal. The act of taking values-based action, regardless of the outcome is beneficial. It is motivating and vitalizing to know you are taking steps toward something meaningful to you. While it is nice to get the outcome you want, I find there is a sense of satisfaction and pride that comes from knowing you did what you could, you created the chance, and you can’t control the outcome.

Our thoughts and feelings influence our behavior (and vice versa), and if you believe you can achieve a goal, you are more likely to put in the work to achieve it. Our beliefs bring about behaviors that can lead to results. Further, our expectations, positive or negative, tend to be confirmed. Therefore, if you expect to reach a goal, you are more likely to reach it through actions. Conversely, if you don’t believe you can achieve a goal, you are less likely to reach it.

Action often stems from helpful thinking, and action enables goal achievement. I started going after my bigger goals when I shifted my mindset from “Oh no, I can't do that. That will never happen,” to “Why not? Why not me? I am going to go for it!” It may sound simple, but this mindset shift opened up a world of possibility. I knew I might not achieve my goals, but I was going to believe in myself and try.

When I decided that I was just as good as anyone else and started to throw my hat in the ring and put myself out there, a weight lifted. The world may not respond as I hoped, yet I wasn’t holding myself back.

Following are some general steps you can take to believe in yourself and go after what you want.

• Identify what it is you want.
• Reflect on your values: What is meaningful and important to you and how does your goal align with your values?
• Cultivate a helpful mindset. Use encouraging self-talk. For example, “Why not me?” “I am as capable as anyone else.” “I can do this.” “It is important to me to go after what I want.” “I am worthy of taking action.”
• Set an intention: What is your aim or purpose (and carve out time to reflect on and visualize your goal)?
• Create a plan for taking action. Be specific and realistic. What is one concrete step you can take toward your goal?
• Take action. It is helpful to start small and chip away at a larger goal over time.
• Review what is working and change your action plan, as needed.

Why not you? Go for it.