Who Do You Want to Become: 2016

WHO DO YOU WANT TO BECOME AND WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IN 2016?

As a parent, we find ourselves constantly pondering how we can supply the best in life for our child(ren): mentally, emotionally, physically, and in spirit, to not only survive in this world, but to thrive, have joy, and live a healthy, prosperous, insightful life that will have an impact on both them self, and those around them, for good. We carefully parent, teach, set an example, educate, guide, and monitor on a consistent basis their growth, struggles, accomplishments, what is being put into their body, their minds, the influences about them, what they read, watch, their hygiene, study, and sleep habits, their activities, hobbies, friends, as well as, their future college, trade, etc., that we may somehow lead them on a path to success, and successful planning and decision making, so they may take over gradually with insight of their own. 

WE DO THIS FOR OUR CHILDREN. SHOULD ONE NOT ALSO TAKE THE SAME CAREFUL TIME EFFORT AND PLANNING IN PLOTTING LIFE OUT FOR ONE’S SELF? 

Reread the above paragraph again, and deeply consider what value you place upon these things with yourself.

I encourage you to mindfully create who you desire to be, and what you desire to accomplish in the next year. After all, look at year after year that has gone by. Do you feel you’ve ever really planned, plotted, and executed to your fullest ability who and what you desired to become? 2016 might just well be the most significant year in your life depending on if you choose to actively create and participate in your life, or if one chooses to simply ‘ride the tide’, and wait and see what life has to offer them, day by day. 

The difference here lies within taking control, hence, responsibility, for the outcome vs. responding to one’s environment, and the perceived demands thereof, day in and day out. 

This is what I refer to as the ‘cookie cutter’ method:

• Wake-up same time each day with the same thoughts.
• Go to work (be it at home, office, etc.,)
• Fulfill responsibilities
• Get daily necessities done, and so forth.
• Call it a day.

I used to live this way. It’s very easy to fall into this trap whether you have a lot of kids, or not. School, work, laundry, dishes, meal prep, sports, activities, yard work, scouts, girls programs, and the list goes on, and on, and on. One day, I woke up and realized that unless I made the effort to do something for myself, above and beyond the ‘call of duties’, it wasn’t going to happen. No one was checking in on me out of concern to make sure I was eating ‘right’, getting enough sleep, or God forbid, ask what else I might desire to accomplish in life. 

Raising a family is a most remarkable experience, however, unless I made the effort to do something more, it would be all I did. I was content doing this for many, many, years. I examined my life day by day, for a week, and discovered I could be kept going from task to task, from person to person, from the time I woke to the time I went to bed, often with little sleep, running and fulfilling what appeared to be on ‘demand’. 

This is when I discovered the power of thoughtful planning coupled with desire and intent. I began getting up even  earlier, planning, studying, etc., and before I knew it, I had classes lined up,  workshops to attend, and places to travel…… and years later I did indeed travel to where I needed to go, gained further education, began three home businesses, and earned a Doctorate in the process, all while raising 5-6 kids at home, homeschooling them, and having many responsibilities outside the home. Now that I think about it, it makes me dizzy, hahaha!

Seriously now, who do you want to be? We all know there are things about us whether mentally, spiritually, emotionally, or physically that we would either like to change or know we could improve on. There are also many characteristics that can be weaved into our beings that are of benefit for all: Kindness, charity, love, thoughtfulness, hard working, caring, organized,  competent, creative, disciplined, focused, courageous, the desire for continuous education, and so forth. 

Who do you want to become, and what do you want to accomplish in 2016?

WHERE TO START 

                                           




                  CLARITY IS POWER

Clarity helps distinguish, clearly, what you want from what you do not want. Therefore, you recognize immediately that which is not what you want rather than staying in a situation for months or years, or traveling in a direction off the path, before coming to the conclusion that ‘it’ is not what you want, nor is it working for you.

Just as well, one realizes easily what IS working for them. When one has clarity, things, situations, and people are easily identified as something that IS working for them, on the path to who they desire to become, and it brings them joy and enthusiasm, which further motivates them to press forward. Obstacles, become learning opportunities, which often provide further opportunities for growth.

To help clarify things for you, start with a blank piece of paper and write down what you don’t want: be it related to a career, relationship, finances, health, fitness, and so forth. Let your past experiences be your guide. Surely, you have learned a thing or two through the years. Clearly what you do not want, that simple.

Next, on another sheet of paper begin listing all you  do want and be very detailed and specific. You’d like a new car? What kind, year, color, and so forth. Mate? What kind of personality are you interested in? Outgoing, reserved, health conscious, supportive, etc. Career, where you want to live, what you want to drive, how you want to expand your business, start a charity, characteristics you want to develop within yourself….. the possibilities are endless!!!!

So, why live the same day 365 days a year when one has so many options? 

Decide what you want. Believe it. Set out to achieve it, and it WILL happen.

After you finish your ‘do want’ list, pull one more sheet of paper and make a dream list. Just do it. Nothing is out of bounds, everything is open to the imagination. Let it flow like water.

Now, that you know exactly what you want and what you do not want, you can have the pleasure of burning your do not want list, or cross through each entry one by one, etc. This way you’re sending a clear message to both your conscious and sub-conscious mind that these items are non-desirable. This way, as soon as you encounter such, you will be prompted to take heed, proceed with caution. The mind is reminding you of your commitment to pass on the do not want list, this brings clarity when one realizes they have a choice: 1) ignore the caution signs and enter a domain that will take you off the path OR 2) see it for what it is, and turn your attention elsewhere, preferably, to something on your list you do want. If there isn’t anything, turn your attention to your Mantra.

mantra

noun

their newest mantra is "stay connected": slogan, motto, maxim, catchphrase, catchword, watchword, byword, buzzword, tag (line).

“I don’t stop for obstacles, I destroy them!”

or as my friend always says: 

“Looking good, feeling good, out to be in Hollywood”

So, who do you want to become, and where do you want to go in your life? You are the single greatest project (outside of raising kids), that you will ever encounter, should you choose to do so. Many never even try. Others give up too easily, let’s face it, the path to growth is always the one that requires fortitude, regression or  stagnation requires very little effort, if any. 

Be passionate about life.

Have courage.

Express gratitude daily.

Find the best in every situation.

Follow through on your inspired thoughts.

Move forward in confidence.

If you would like, get a good friend to become ‘accountability buddies’, share what your goals are for the day, month, or week and check in with one another to find out how things are going, brainstorm, compliment one another on progress made, and so forth.

I have a great friend who works with me on this. She never judges me, accepts me for who I am, supports me in my endeavors, and is full of great suggestions. She says the same about me, lol, so we truly are on each others team and it makes life and working through our list of goals and ‘wants’, interesting. It also gives perspective when you realize everyone generally encounters some of the same obstacles just unique in their presentation. Everyone has their ups and not so ups, times of great momentum, and times to reflect and regroup.  

Last, but not least. Believe in yourself. Believe in the process, and be willing to let go of fixations on how things ‘should’ be, and allow yourself the freedom to try new things.

The best to you and yours in 2016!