I spent the week in the Adirondacks with the hopes of reminding my son, his friend, and me to slow down our hectic lives and smell the roses. To unplug FB and plug into nature. On our last day there we woke up at 5 am to climb the highest mountain nearby and watch the sunrise. The hike at dawn was fun, focused, and fast-paced as our hearts and minds were set on reaching the top before sunrise. No words can describe this miracle that we rarely see and take for granted everyday. The miracle I'm referring to is not just the sun rising, it's the climb itself. You may not appreciative the climbs in your life. As much as you're focused on realizing your dreams it's important to know your climb has purpose. That climb builds your strength and resiliency as the climb tends to be steep, meandering, and long. In this week's Sun-day design I want you to appreciate the climb you take to watch the sun rise in your life. You can prepare for your climb in 3 simple steps.
Ready yourself for your next climb, all you need is a map, water bottle, and supportive friends close by. Every day, every moment you spend working in a lackluster job can dull the light inside. Little by little you begin to feel distant, sad, and before you know it defeated and depressed because you're doing work you don't believe in or find yourself in the company of people you don't enjoy. That very job which you keep to pay the bills feed off your life and your soul. The cost you pay to work is awfully high and it's time you lift your life and elevate your career. In this week's Sun-day designs I want you to nourish your soul and cultivate your dreams. That doesn’t mean quitting your job on Monday morning it’s about planting the seeds to grow the career you desire right now. Consider this ratio, for every 40 hours you spend in a job you despise you'll need to spend 10% of that time doing work you do love. That means claiming at least 4 hours a week for your dream career. I'm certain you can find one hour a day to plan, research, practice, and learn more about your chosen career. If you dream of becoming a photographer then take pictures and share them with the world (shout out to a friend who recently put me on to the photographer for Humans of New York). If your dream is to become a chef spend an hour in the kitchen trying new recipes. While you may receive little to no payment for your dream job your more immediate compensation is enrichment for your soul. Just remember your dream career is your oxygen tank that will keep you from drowning underwater at work. That tank will help you rise to the top when you’re ready. The more you go after your dream and share your talent and skills with the world, the stronger and more resilient you'll get at saving yourself. The question is how much is your life, your sanity, your freedom worth to you? Leave a comment and share how you’re pursing your career dream even while swimming in the abyss. Actor Robin Williams passing this week reminded me that it’s so important you show your gratitude to the people who inspire and support you through the good and bad times. One of my favorites characters Robin Williams played was the Genie in the movie Aladdin. The most revealing dialogue in that movie is when the Genie talks about what it means to be free, to be your own master. The Genie’s admission of his life-long dream pretty much captures the journey of your life too. To be the master of your own fate does not mean you are selfish or narcissistic. It’s about being true to yourself and honoring the life you desire, not the version society, your parents, or even the impractical pressures you put on yourself. There are few people in your life who see glimpses and already loves the real you. In this week’s Sun-day design say thank you to the Genie in your life. Some people in your life are clearly champions and have your back. Others are less obvious advocates; they’re like a Genie in a bottle and show up just when you really need them. Your Genie may be someone you don’t see often or haven’t known for long and nonetheless when you see this person there is an immediate and deep connection. This person inspires you, gives great energy, supports your dreams, and you in turn find yourself captivated by theirs too. This person grants your wish, your desire for friendship, for acceptance, for truth, or love. Now think about the person who is your Genie. Think about the people who support you in ways others do not. Your Genie may show up as the person who simply listens to you without judgment and understands the reasons you secretly want to move to another country, begin your career as a writer, or return to school for another degree even as you struggle to balance work and family commitments. While you may not think about or speak to this person often, receiving an email or phone from him/her warms your heart. Your spiritual connection with this person recharges and refocuses you any time you connect. It is time. Reach out to the Genie in your life, say thank you. Tell this person the profound impact he or she has in your life. Show your appreciation for the person who supports you in being a master of your fate. As Aladdin’s Genie so eloquently said, “To be my own master. Such a thing would be greater than all the magic and all the treasures in the world.” You are a master, co-creator of your life. Share your own story about the Genie who supports your ambitions and pursuit of freedom. Do you feel like no matter how much you try to change life stays the same? Your past doesn't have to dictate your future. The 20 times you've dieted before doesn't mean you're doomed to a stagnant scale this time around. The change you seek is within reach just let your imagination run wild on how to get there. If achieving your goals were as simple as creating an action plan then more of us would be living our dreams. You get stuck when life throws you a curve ball, when progress stalls and change doesn't happen in the blink of an eye, or when you realize you don't quite have the resourcefulness to move things forward. Imagine yourself as CEO of Your Life, Inc., because that is EXACTLY who you are. Now that you recognize your role as CEO I want you to think of 3-5 things you want to achieve on this year's balance sheet. Your "balance sheet" will account for challenges and set backs you may experience all the while positioning you to come out on top. Feel free to revisit your dreams or vision board as a build your list. Once you have your goals in mind, pick the one that you would pay someone else to have right now. That's the one you go for first. Now for that goal list 3 wild, insane, no way that can happen ways to pursue the goal. This is key to breaking down the boundaries you've created in your mind. Here's an example: Balance Sheet: Spend my next birthday in Sonoma, CA Three out the box ideas to save money for that trip: 1. Put one whole paycheck aside and live on a college diet of Raman noodles 2. Sell my furniture and a few designer handbags that should cover air & hotel 3. Pick up a job babysitting on weekends to earn some extra cash over the next 6 months What do you think? Not really all that crazy huh? Exactly!! What you're pursing is possible it takes some creative thinking, true grit, and sacrifice. Go for scary and write your ideas down so you can debunk your own myth of what's impossible in your life. Live through your imagination and let it take you to new and exciting places. Be sure to share you zany ideas in pursuit of your goals too in the comments below. A wonderful colleague shared some words of wisdom that I have to pass on to you. Some sage advice he learned from his own brother is that you can either be a victim or a victor. It's your choice. This came up in a discussion we were having about dealing with change in the workplace and how people struggle with claiming their power in what's happening to and around them. I want to remind you that no matter how dire the circumstances you have the strength and capacity to shape the impact of that experience on your life. You can see your troubles as a burden or a blessing. As a lesson or your life's legacy. In this week's Sun-day design I want you to declare victory in whatever you're pursuing. Whether it's to lost 20 lb. or gain 20k in this moment claim your win. The biggest step you'll need to take is deciding it's yours. Declaring victory now takes the anxiety out of going after your goals because you know it will happen in a matter of time. Taking this position allows you to be present and focus on the work at hand which inevitably moves you toward your destination. Everyone has an area of life they hope they can transform dramatically. For lots of women it's our body, if we can only fit into size X everything else will fall into place. For some families their bank account is like a money pit where all funds seem to disappear. For many of my clients it's figuring out their career passion, purpose and viability in going from a job they hate to one they love. Even as rich and successful as you are I know there is some dream, some goal that scares the bejeezus out of you. Let me give you an example. In addition to my private coaching practice I work full time and face the same workplace drama many of you do. There are a number of people who are unhappy with our work environment, with their colleagues, and even more so with their boss. I totally agree with the many reasons they and I might gripe about things and at some point in time (usually after 10 minutes) I have to close the door on that conversation because it's like quicksand. If I sit in that state of mind too long, focusing on the negative it will cloud my path and detract from my goal of being a successful coach. So instead I cozy up to people who are realistic about the environment and like me still chose to declare victory in their lives over circumstance. We keep each other motivated, growing in courage, faith, and spiritual prosperity. For us it's a lesson that informs and expands our ability to shape our life's work and legacy. This week I want you to do the same. Where in your life have you been playing the coy victim? Flip that script and decide to be a victor. Create a dream outcome for the situation your in right now and decide it's already done. The GPS destination is set and even if you hit traffic and a few detours trust you'll get there soon. Leave a comment below and share the challenges you're declaring victory in now. One dollar, one pound, one hug is a big win too! |
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Lessons LearnedThe life we experience is designed to help us grow. My wish is that you learn from me as much as I learn from you. Share your life lessons and let's build together. Archives
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