With so many events happening in the world today, it can be tempting to believe we should “settle” for things as they are and feel lucky just to “have” anything at all.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m in full support of having gratitude for every blessing in your life – in fact I think it’s fundamental to living a balanced and blissful life, especially during this economic downturn. However, what happens if or when you find that your current reality just isn’t enough? The answer is simple . . . aim higher.
Whether you feel that you want more satisfaction from your career or more meaningful personal relationships, the first step is understanding that it’s OK to admit that you deserve more. In fact, in order to get more out of your life, it’s imperative that you claim the right to actualize your purpose, passion and true potential.
Now, keeping that in mind, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get started on deciding what you want – and put in place the plans to start moving in that direction. As an executive and personal coach, I use the Create Your Vision® process, a powerful and proven program that was founded by Marcia Wieder. Marcia has appeared several times on the Oprah and Today shows and has taken this program all over the world. I’m fortunate enough to have been personally trained, certified, and mentored by Marcia . . . and am happy to share a few tips I’ve picked up along the way that may help you in creating the future you envision.
Tip 1: Say it out loud. Yes, really. Many times we have a dream or vision, but for some reason or another we keep the vision a secret (not even admitting it to ourselves) because we feel we might be asking too much. We have our secret dream, and then we negotiate down (often way down) to what we feel is more reasonable . . . and there we settle in. It’s important to understand that you have every right to strive for more – to create the future you envision. In fact, it stands to reason that the more you have, the more you can give to others.
Tip 2: Double check. Once you know what “it” is, you’ll want to test just to make sure it’s something you’re really passionate about. For example, if you decide you want to become a famous actor but really don’t care for any extra attention . . . you may want to rethink your vision. You’d hate to climb the mountain only to discover . . . wrong mountain.
Tip 3: Make some room. As the saying goes, “Out with the old and in with the new.” Typically you’ll need to start saying “No” to unnecessary things that take up your time and energy. This includes saying no to negative thoughts and pesky doubts that might stop you in your tracks. It also includes saying ”No” to taking on extra projects and tasks that you aren’t obligated to do (be honest, you know there’s a few out there). When you clear out some of the unnecessary clutter, you make room to bring in move of what you’d love to do.
Tip 4: Strike up a plan. Passion without a plan is just wasted energy. In the past, I believed that “someday” all my dreams would eventually and automatically come true. The truth is, “someday” doesn’t ride in on a white horse. Make no mistake, whatever your goal, you’ll need to put together a strategic plan and invest a little extra elbow grease to ensure you are on the path to creating your own success.
Tip 5: Find your “Dream Team.” Let’s face it, some things are much easier said than done. No matter how strong you are, you’ll need at least one person to listen to your ideas, help develop your strategy, negotiate your obstacles, and cheer you on to success.
Spend less time with negative people who don’t understand how important your vision is, and more time with those who truly want you to be happy (yes, they’re out there). I highly recommend creating your own safe haven to help you define your goals, overcome obstacles, and develop a strategy to ensure that “someday” really is on its way.
Get started utilizing these tips and you’ll have more than just luck on your side!
Activate Potential. Realize Results.™