So, you say you want results and want them fast? Well, don’t we all. Let me ask you something: what kind of pre-planning are you doing before you start hammering away at that life or business venture of yours? Have you considered all of your options, set your boundaries, and given your results a fair amount of time to manifest?

One thing that I hold dear to my little rebellious heart is that if something seems rushed or overwhelming to the point of physical stress, it has not gone through this 3-point test (1. options 2. boundaries 3. results). We go-get-’em gals have a tendency to over commit, over work, and over judge everything we do, so this happens more times than not.

So, let me show you how to simply take these steps to ensure that your project is, first, a good fit. Second, you have what it takes to pull it off. And, third, you are being realistic about your goal.

Understanding Options

Option: a thing that is or may be chosen.

Take some quality time to choose your projects and adventures. Base those choices on how much joy, progress, time, revenue, or credibility they will bring to your life or business. And, understand that you may not get all of these things with any given project. What may bring you money, may not bring you joy. What brings you joy, may not bring you money. These types of deals will have to be weighed carefully. Just stop believing that your choices don’t have consequences and reactions.

Setting Boundaries

Having clear boundaries is essential to a healthy, balanced lifestyle. A boundary is a personal property line that marks those things for which we are responsible. In other words, boundaries define who we are and who we are not.

Once you’ve decided what you want to do, it’s time to set boundaries around it. You need to firmly put them in place with yourself first. Know how much time, money, energy, focus, and belief you are willing to put into something before you start. DO NOT GO BEYOND YOUR OWN BOUNDARIES! This is where you get into trouble. You say, “Oh, just one more hour, one more dollar, one more client” and then before you know it, your whole plan blows  up in your face. Suddenly, you are too sick, too broke, and too angry to get anything done.

And, then, there are the boundaries to set for other people.

Giving others clear boundaries is not always easy, especially if you have not done it regularly. But if you want to move forward in your life and biz, you must become a master boundary maker. Tell them clearly what you are doing and what you need from them. This goes for clients, too. STOP THINKING THAT YOU WILL LOSE THEM IF YOU SET BOUNDARIES! They need to see your savvy edges. They actually want structure! You and your projects are worth the effort it takes to set them and keep them. If others don’t agree or get angry about your drawn lines, you have to wonder what that relationship is really all about.

Getting Results

Result: a consequence, effect, or outcome of something.

Regardless of whether you get the results you want or not, you are creating something when you take any action. The question is have you given yourself enough time to complete the tasks, to process, to tweak? If not, you may have just screwed yourself out of seeing the results you want. This is otherwise known as quitting or settling. Sometimes you have to shift gears and change directions in order to see something come to pass. The reason so many give up too soon is that they don’t like change or don’t believe in themselves enough to try something new.

I am results driven, so I understand how frustrating it can be when you don’t see the fruit of your labor clearly. Sometimes we have set our goals unrealistically for the amount of energy we put into something. Sometimes we don’t know how to do something the way it needs to be done. There are so many reasons results don’t line up with our plan. I do know this: you have the power to change things…all things.

I meant this post to be a conversation starter. I don’t have all the answers. Add your best tips and strategies to the comments!

XO Kellie Rae