I have to confess something, each time I post a quote or write an article, if you look in-between the lines, it inadvertently and kind of secretly, links back to me.
Usually, what I am writing about, is something I am working on personally. As I most eloquently tell my clients as well as my friends, I am walking up the mountain with you on your journey. No, I not yelling down at you from the top of this mountain with my hands on my hips telling you to hurry up. I am linking my arms around yours and we are walking with you and on this journey – together. The difference is, I am the crazy one on the computer each day trying to make sense out of my life and want to share these tips with you – I like to call myself the “human highlighter”. So, instead of you reading all of these self-help books, I will get out my imaginary yellow pen and share with you the good parts. At least I hope I am!
Anyway, this is my “AHA” moment of the week.
Swirling Words – Where Do They Come From?
As I have said in the past, themes seem to be swirling around in my head week after week. This makes me laugh just thinking about it as I see words, phrases, pictures, spinning about me like I am a cartoon. I swear, its The Universe showing me the chapters that are yet to be written appearing out of nowhere for my book. Lucky for me, that is happening. Now it’s time to get on it and do it! Anyway, this “theme for the week” is as follows – when you don’t know what to do, it’s time to start to ask some big questions.
Hmmm..that always seems to be the hard part.
The Power of Vision – Picture This!
For instance, what I posted on my Facebook page today was the importance of vision and how we need to envision your day turning out exactly like you want it to be. Now, the question is, how many times do you ask yourself, “What is my ideal day?”Being a big believer in vision, I do this on a daily basis, but it takes work. Now, the big question is – do you even know how you want your day to turn-out? Or on a grander scale, do you even know what you want out of your life?
I can practically see the shrugging of the shoulders and the look of worry encompassing your faces right now. And believe me, I get it!
We spend most of our life doing what we think we are supposed to do, should do, and what we think others want us to do, that we very rarely tap into the part of our selves that represents “what we want to do”. The premise of my workshops all starts with this and I would like to share some tools with you.
Be Like Glinda and Wave that Magic Wand
I love to say this, and I do all the time. Then I start to crack up like I am Glinda the Good Witch with a few more wrinkles. But, I have to say it.
If I could wave the magic wand and grant you any wish, what would you ask for?
I want you to think about it. For real. You don’t have to know the exact job, where you will live, etc., just list a few things about how you want to feel. Such as:
I want to be happy.
I want to be at peace.
I want to feel balance.
I want to be more financially independent.
I want to finish my book.
I want to run in a 5K.
I want to slow down and enjoy my family more.
I want to go on vacation to a place I have never seen before.
I want an organized basement. 
(FYI – that is my list – not too far-fetched, is it?
Anyway, you get the drift. The key is to make the list yet to keep it focused on the positive and how you want to feel. I call these “feeling goals” and they can be used as a starting point when you are in a state of not knowing what you want. Don’t write what you don’t want and don’t want to do. That will only yield more of the same results, as I am a big believer in the laws of attraction. So, by doing this task of listing what you want, you will start to envision the life you want. All you have to do is start with baby steps by starting to feel the way you want to feel when your goals are achieved.
What’s the Plan?
The next step is, to figure out how to get there, and many times this will incorporate some changes.
What can you do personally and/or professionally to get you closer to these “feeling goals?”
For me, it was to re-asses my work schedule to make more time for my writing and workshops. Since I love teaching to groups of people (the teacher in me!) I want to start to bring people together to not only help them put a plan together to live their best life, but to get like-minded, ambitious, enthusiastic, eager, inspirational people in a room together to share stories, to mentor, motivate and support each other. It seems like such a winning combination but this takes planning. Also, I need to make the time to put my book together, which will in turn, bring me much happiness since I have dreamed about this since I was a little kid.
Now, if I was really Glinda the Good Witch (well, I am the witch part sometimes, just ask my kids!) I could get all this done with the wave of a wand, but I can’t. It takes planning and commitment to get closer to your “feeling goals.”
What do you want to change in your life?
How do you want to feel in the next year or two?
What would you like to do, have, see, be when you “grow up?”
It’s never too late to be the you that you want to be. All it takes is five small steps.
5 Steps to Get You in The Right Direction
1. Identify your goal
2. Come up with a plan
3. Do it!
4. Reassess – what is working and not working and go from there.
5. Do it again!
What will you do today to create a tomorrow you are committed to? Well, as you can see, you must have a nice conversation with yourself and ask some questions. Once you do, I bet you will be surprised on how you feel when you are done with this little talk with yourself.
As Nike Says – JUST DO IT!
Be courageous and dare yourself to go to the next level and explore your “feeling goals.” There is no doubt in my mind that this time next year you will be glad you listened to yourself. And if you don’t listen to yourself, nobody else will.
I challenge you today to live the life you imagine and I encourage you to take the steps to get you there. For every small “feeling goal” will get you one step closer to those bigger dreams of yours. And know one thing, I will be there with you every step of the way.
Keep the faith,
Patti
