I work with people who are pursuing dreams and goals. You might say they are on a journey. Usually when we are on a journey we encounter obstacles… Say you are going to go for a hike... Well, if you set a large goal for yourself, like hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, you KNOW you will run into unforeseen obstacles like storms, boulders, maybe even grizzly bears. Your boulder in real life might be internal like your own fear, resistance, and doubt. Or it might be external, like being fired or suffering an unexpected loss. What to do? Well, believing it IS surmountable is key. But before you can do that, you need to be able to SEE what the obstacle is. You have to be willing to get curious. If you meet a boulder on the path but all you do is hate that it’s there and put your blindfold on and hope it will move on it’s own – nothing’s going to change. And you’ll be stuck. But if you are willing to put your glasses on and summon some courage to find out what it is – what it looks like, feels like, how tall it is… Well the fear starts to recede and you arm yourself with powerful data about how to get past it: how to work with your fear, doubt, and resistance. You might even have fun along the way, learning to solve the problem.
The obstacle in the path is a powerful and helpful metaphor. Next time you get stuck, try to see yourself on a trail and figure out which obstacle this is: a drove of hornets, a dead-end trail, a lightening strike? (Doubt in your ability, a failed attempt, fear of success?) Then you can summon your resources, call on help, and strategize, so you can keep going – with more confidence than you had before. What are your obstacles on the path? Leave a comment below and start a conversation! Best, Jen
0 Comments
I recently had a conversation with a friend who in the last 5 years lost her career direction due to things outside of her control. Because she has many interests, she fears that by choosing a direction she’ll lose out on exciting opportunities… And so now she is waiting for some sign or assurance to pick the right one. Who hasn’t felt this way? While we all would like some assurance we are going in the right direction, the problem is that it can get pretty paralyzing: waiting for the “right choice” to show itself and make itself known. If you struggle with this, here are some words of encouragement to help you get moving 1) There is no Perfect Choice. The idea of a “right” choice can lead to stagnation. Cultivating a mindset of going with the best choice for you now will help free you up. Believe it or not, there is more than one choice out there that will help your life unfold in a good direction. 2) Beware “the road not taken.” I’ve heard from some clients that if they choose something and don’t like it, they’ve wasted their time. Ever imagine the “road not taken” and picture THAT choice having gone better (with fairy dust and golden light)? But that’s all in your head! Valuable lessons are learned whichever path you take. 3) You unlock magic when you pick a direction and stay the course for a while. You never know what the seeds you are planting now will look like when they break through the soil. When you learn to stay and keep pursuing your plan, beautiful things occur: opportunities and possibilities emerge you could not have predicted, and confidence in yourself grows. 4) Wherever you go, you take yourself along. All our interests, passions, personality traits, and strengths go with us when we choose a course of action. And they help mold it. 5 people may all set out to become graphic designers or gardeners. But 5 entirely different results may occur due to connections made along the way, saying yes to different opportunities, engaging different strengths, and following different values. So remember, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING: Pick a direction and get into action. There is magic out there, but you have to get into action to unleash it. If you feel inspired and are ready to get moving, give me a call for a free consultation. Like this newsletter? Please share with someone who could use the encouragement! All The Best, Jennifer |
Tips and resources to help you on your path.
Sign up to receive this in your inbox: Archives
October 2016
Categories |