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Setting Goals, Even Ones Beyond What You Think is Possible

By
Home Stager with Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island #888

Setting Goals, even ones beyond what you think is possible

My mother taught me so many things in life and one of the very first lessons that I paid attention to was never stop trying to reach for the goals you set. She would always read me the story, The Little Engine That Could before going to sleep as a child.  Well, that bedtime story worked because my tests in life began at an early age.  One of my first tests that I can remember was to overcome my "learning disability," as I was so kindly labeled. 

My issue was grasping Math, especially fractions...yikes!  All I needed was a good teacher who was patient and could break down the material in a way that I was able to understand (visual learner). For all of my elementary school years, I had to fight my way out of that classification. The story that kept me motivated was The Little Engine that Could.  Each year leading up to 6th grade I would progress one step closer to letting go of that label and feeling dumbed down and by the time I graduated to middle school I was sailing free.

This may seem like an easy goal to reach, but when school staff and "experts" are telling you to your face "you will NEVER graduate," at times it made it a bit difficult.  Talk about firing me up, little warrior spirit reared it's face at them. I didn't say much in response to what they would tell me but to what I knew secretly, I am the little Engine that WILL graduate. My actions spoke louder then my words and here we are today.

I think I'm going to pay those experts a visit ;)

Posted by

 

Laura Cerrano is a second-generation Certified New York City Feng Shui Consultant Expert. As a full-time Feng Shui consultant, Laura provides bicoastal consultations and workshops for residential, commercial, real estate developments, Fortune 500 companies and healing faculties. In addition, Laura is a resident teacher at the Metropolitan Institute of Design in Syosset, NY. She has been featured in highly respected publications and TV networks such as Bravo's "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen," PBS, CBC Television, BBC Radio and The New York Times. 

 

Comments(49)

Denise Watkins
Samson Properties - Upper Marlboro, MD
Realtor Serving DC and MD

The Little Engine That Could is a very popular book.  I've read it to all four of my children when they were young and today when they feel like giving up, I text them, "your the little enging that could do the impossible."

Aug 07, 2013 06:07 AM
Carol Zingone
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty - Jacksonville Beach, FL
Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
I have found visualization to be very helpful in achieving goals...
Aug 07, 2013 06:30 AM
Vanessa Saunders
Global Property Systems Real Estate - White Plains, NY
Real Estate | Done Differently

Setting goals is very important. Raising ones own expectations and then meeting them is divine!

Aug 07, 2013 06:31 AM
Elise Harron
Dirt Road Real Estate - Kingman, AZ
Rural Vacant Land and Development Specialist

Children need to achieve a goal at a young age to understand the WOW and the YIPPEE of accomplishing "something". If it happens at a young age, it becomes a VERY rewarding habit!  I owe my "meanest mother in the world" all the love and thankfulness in the world for making me earn just about everything from a very young age - just one reward after another! 

GREAT share - thanks,

Aug 07, 2013 06:45 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Great story, Laura.  Not all kids learn the same way, but unfortunately, an overly burdened school system have very little flexibility.  Good for you for escaping the label and succeeding.

Aug 07, 2013 08:18 AM
Kristal Wilson
KB Home - Fontana, CA
Cause We Like 'Em New ~ New Home Specialist!

Laura ~ Mothers shape the lives of their children with far reaching results. The Little Engine that Could is a classic.

Aug 07, 2013 08:57 AM
Brian Sharkey
SharkeyRE LLC - Singer Island, FL
SharkeyRE

"If you think you can, you will, if you think you can't, you won't.  Either way you are right!

Aug 07, 2013 09:24 AM
Mitch Muller - Charlotte NC Real Estate
ProStead Realty Charlotte, NC CRS SRES mitch@prostead.com - Charlotte, NC
Certified Residential Specialist

Great story Laura! I'll never forget "the little engine that could"! 

Aug 07, 2013 10:19 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Laura, Tell some people they can't and that is the shove they need to prove that person wrong. I'm glad you didn't give up and pushed on.

Aug 07, 2013 12:25 PM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Laura, I love your inspirational post. As a teacher I used to ignore labels.  There are countless successful people like  you who achieve tremendous success in spite of someone's unfortunate label.

Aug 07, 2013 12:43 PM
Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer
I think it is disgraceful to tell a child that they cannot do something.
Aug 07, 2013 01:16 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M
Laura - This makes me think of Yoda. There is no try.
Aug 07, 2013 03:22 PM
Ralph Gorgoglione
Metro Life Homes - Palm Springs, CA
California and Hawaii Real Estate (310) 497-9407
What an inspiring story! I'm so glad your mom shared the art of how to think beyond your barriers from childhood and that those early lessons helped you overcome.
Aug 07, 2013 03:36 PM
Barbara Tattersall
Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan (Keene,NH) - Keene, NH
GRI

Good for you, Laura,

 

I used to work with children who had special ways of understanding their lessons. They were very, very bright with high I Q's.  They just needed to absorb information in a different way. One little boy I tutored jumped four grade levels in reading, just because he had some individual attention. I love to see them now as successful adults. Thank goodness your Mom helped you believe. You're an inspiration.

Aug 07, 2013 08:27 PM
Erick Blackwelder
Cell: 703-677-1120 - Woodbridge, VA
Text or call Erick now at 703-677-1120.

I have found that goals must be WRITTEN and stashed in my wallet so that I see them often.

When I started in real estate in 1990 when I was 34 years-old, I wrote three goals on an index card:

1. Within three years I will own a real estate company within three years.

2. Within three years I will own a profitable property management company within three years.

3. I will be among the top 5% in production among the agents in my market within three years.

I looked at those goals every time I opened my wallet.

All three goals were achieved within three years!

Written goals are like magic!

Aug 08, 2013 12:40 AM
Anthony Rollins
Keller Williams Realty-Overland Park - Overland Park, KS
The Adam Butler Team

Laura,

Glad you were able to grow up and not adhere to the labels that others had put on you.  Daring to dream...having goals and writing them down and believing in yourself...that is the recipe for living a fulfilled life with no regrets!

Cheers!

Aug 08, 2013 01:05 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Thank you all for stopping by to take the time and write you comments...I will respond to you all :) blessings, love and light.

Laura

Aug 10, 2013 11:55 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Laura- We can't let anyone hold us back! Goals are important to our success in life and business.

Aug 16, 2013 03:25 PM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Laura,  The Little Train that Could is one of my favorite stories.  If you think you can, You Can.

Aug 17, 2013 12:12 PM
Charles Stallions
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

Whatever you think you can do you can school is much overrated LOL.

Sep 16, 2013 01:53 PM