Goals are Daunting
- December 31, 2014
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- Tayler Teichert
Posted in: Ranch Life
Tayler Teichert Photography
The word goal has always been daunting to me. You tell me to set goals and I automatically think okay let me come up with a few extravagant ideas that I will never accomplish… and that’s just the way it is for me. I am more of a list/project sort of person. I like to make lists of things I would like to get done in the next month or week and I get some sort of satisfaction by crossing them out with an oversized sharpie that bleeds through my notepad and ruins the next 3 pages. So this year rather than setting goals for the New Year I thought I’d just make a list of some of the things I plan to accomplish.
- Be Brave– Last year I left my hometown and went out into the scary world, aka the Midwest, and I grew so much! If you don’t personally know me I am already six foot so I don’t want to grow physically, I want to grow to be a better person, let my mind become more open to new ideas. I love spending time at home but as I came back to my hometown I didn’t get that great feeling of this is where I belong, I got a feeling of it’s time to keep exploring. So I will be brave again this year and wander on… I just haven’t figured out where yet.
- Stop taking advice from people you don’t look up to – In the past I have worried about what most people think about me and that’s a normal thing because we naturally want to be liked. But I realized I was taking advice from a handful of people that I didn’t want to end up like. Realize that everyone is put into your life for a reason. You can learn something from absolutely everyone you come in contact with, even if that is a way not to do things.
- Disconnect– Make time for the people who you are actually with… in real life, like you could reach out and touch them. I’m as guilty as anyone but let’s put down our phones, make eye contact, and engage in a real live conversation and learn some people skills. Some of the best times I’ve ever had were when I left my phone in the truck. It was hard for me when I lived in Nebraska because I had zero service at my house so when I went to town I was on my phone the whole time trying to listen to voicemails and reply to texts. Putting your phone down is a struggle but well worth it. You aren’t going to remember those nights you sat on your bed and texted for a few hours.
- Live in the now– I can hear my dad’s voice now, “don’t wish your life away.” I have a problem with making the past better in my mind than it really was… or is the problem making the present worse than it really is. I am not sure but I seem to believe happiness is in the far off future. I find myself glued to the TV about once a year for six solid hours watching Lonesome Dove and the last time I watched it I realized how wise Gus was. When he said, “Lorie darlin’, life in San Francisco, you see, is still just life. If you want any one thing too badly, it’s likely to turn out to be a disappointment. The only healthy way to live life is to learn to like all the little everyday things, like a sip of good whiskey in the evening, a soft bed, a glass of buttermilk, or a feisty gentleman like myself.” Gus has got living in the now figured out.
- Be kind– If you really know me you will think I am a total hypocrite for this one but let me remind you this is a list of things I need to work on, not things I am good at. Only give out sincere compliments, people can tell when you are being fake. Love your neighbor, look out for each other, and look for opportunities to help those who cross your path.
- Be honest– I have found that nothing shocks people more than the truth. Say exactly what is on your mind… it will often make people double over with laughter or just really respect that you are a straight forward person.
- Don’t be forceful– Believe that if it is meant to happen it will. Life is going to throw lots of obstacles in your path no matter what… roll with it. I’m no love expert, by any means, but I once heard something fantastic that I want to share. Love is like a fart, if you force it, it is going to be sh*t. I think that applies to more than love.
This is just a short list of things I need work on… come up with your own or borrow some of mine. I didn’t get into that real descriptive things I’d like to do, like getting on another ranch rodeo team or going to Texas for the first time. This year I am really going to try to live in the now. So this year let’s turn loose all the horses and watch them run. Take time to take in the setting sun. Turn back a keeper just to watch him swim. Forgive your enemies and love your friends.
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Posted in: Ranch Life
About Tayler Teichert
Tayler Teichert was raised on ranches all over the west. She is the youngest of seven children. She is a full time ranch hand and loves classy ugly sweaters. She masquerades as a freelance photographer. You can check out her photography at www.taylerteichert.com. She writes...