Which Direction Are You Going?

Life is in perpetual motion. That is its nature.

I struggled with clarity for a long time.  The past few years have been a study in gaining clarity.  I gained clarity about my purpose…and got stuck.  I gained clarity about writing my book…and got stuck.  I finished and published my book…and got stuck.

Often we say things like…

“I’m stuck in a rut”

“I feel bogged down”

“I can’t get any traction.”

And honestly, that’s where I have been for the last 8-9 months.  Just trying to figure it out.

Of course, these are simply metaphors used to describe how we feel at any given moment (and I’ve been there…and said all three of the above, and others beside).  If you have been reading this blog over all these months, then you have had a front-row seat to my “stuckiness”.

The truth is that we are not really “stalled out” in life. Our life is just going in a direction in which we do not want to go or in a manner in which we feel out of control.

When it comes to living the life you dream for yourself, take a look at the direction you’re headed.

Heading In The Right Direction

Directing your life in the right direction requires some discipline, skill and even a bit of blind luck–if you really believe in such a thing!

That is why I have been touting the changes coming to this blog.  I love this site and I love each of you…but a blog is not a business.  It won’t pay bills or buy food.

It is a fantastic tool for communication; however, and I love the dialogue this site affords you and me.  The truth is that I haven’t been entirely honest.  But that is changing as I inject greater authenticity into the work I do here (and more honesty about why I do it)

I guarantee that when you align your life in a direction that serves you, you will not struggle to motivate yourself to take action.  When you are headed in the right direction, gaining clarity occurs much more easily.

That’s why I am so excited.  I have been working feverishly on the new direction.  I want to share a few of those with you.  I am planning to launch a regular podcast for you (very soon…think, within a week or two)…still working out the logistics.

I also have our new “home” on the web (new URL) picked out and I think you’ll like it.  I just want to get it spruced up a bit before I invite you all over for a housewarming party!

Be looking for a regular newsletter going forward as well.  I don’t want to inundate you with more “stuff”…that is not the purpose.  However, I do want to provide you with support, guidance and inspiration on your journey.

Bottom line is that the next time you find yourself complaining about a lack of focus, energy or direction; stand up, take courage, and set your own direction.  We’re waiting for you to show us that the miraculous is still possible.

Most people hopscotch through life.

Sometimes we dare to take a little skip or a small hop.

If you’re going to jump, why not LEAP?

And if you’re going to leap, why not take an “all-in”, big, fat, balsy, flying leap?

Jump Already!

20% might jump. Maybe 10% will take a leap. 1% will take a flying leap.

Now’s your time to decide.  Be the 1%.

Take the Plunge!

Ready? Take a deep breath.

Back up from the edge so you can get a running head start.

Go! Don’t hold back!

Leap!

Look at you now.

See? Your heart rate is back to normal.

Check out the view.  Amazing, huh?

Feel that? It’s called freedom!

Yep, that’s right. It’s all you, baby.

And you are soaring! (told you it’s worth it)

Questions for Conversation:

1. What’s holding you up? (it’s fear, no matter what you call it, btw)

2. Will the fear still be there if you do jump?

3. Why not go for it? (any variation of “can’t” isn’t the right answer to this question)

And finally…one question, four words.

What will you do?

It’s the only one that matters anyway.

I just recognized a horrible thought pattern that I have adopted.  Now that I am aware of it, I can change it; but I wanted to bring it to the attention of my readers, because I suspect you may also have adopted this “thought-trap” and not even be aware of it.

Thought-Traps

On this site, I try to bring you inspiring posts and quotes that will make you think.

I also want to bring value to you by giving you “real” life examples of techniques and methods that I discover and implement which are effective to me.

So…what is this thought pattern?

Negative Expectations

I have adopted a pattern of assuming that a breakthrough in my life (on any level) is not just around the corner.

For example, I don’t expect to get some unexpected exposure for my blog, resulting in a huge jump in my readership. I don’t expect feedback for my book to go viral on Twitter and result in the sale of a thousand books in a day. I don’t expect that I will meet a mentor who will radically challenge the way I live and lead me to financial independence.

Do you see my pattern? Let me ask you a question.

What are YOU expecting of your life?

Do you tend to expect things to continue status quo? Are you surprised by the unexpected? Do you fear that things might change?

If you have fallen into these thought traps, you are holding at bay–through your thoughts and emotions–the very things you may be drawing toward you through desire. So before you stress out because things aren’t falling into place “as expected,” let me again ask, “What are you expecting?”

It is infinitely more easy to expect things to work out. It’s  much more easy to assume that the right resources will appear exactly on time. It may take a little practice to shift your thinking, but it’s so much easier.

Then you can go through life and invest your energy in your work and your creation instead of wasting it on expectations that may (or may not) be fulfilled.

Would you please tweet this and share on Facebook using the buttons and the tweet box below?  I would also really appreciate if you would share it on LinkedIn with your professional network.  Thank you.

What is your passion? What do you bring to the table of life? What are the gifts you offer?

A wise counselor once told me: When you find your passion, you will find your purpose.

The Power of Your Innate Gifts

In the past, I have short-changed myself by holding a diminished view of the value of what I have to offer. It is easy to quantify academic degrees. It’s easy to measure skills with certificates and diplomas.

What about innate gifts and talents? What about intuitive abilities? What about creativity, spontaneity, and flexibility?

What of the ability to believe in the inherent worth and value of another so strongly that they can start to see it themselves?

If I were cornered and had to identify my strongest ability, that would be it. I am able to see the good in others…the strengths and the potential…even if they can’t see it or recognize it themselves.

To me it is so clear, that I have absolute faith in this potential. Often, all it takes is unbending faith for someone to start to believe–even just a little bit–in their own potential for greatness.

The Value of Your Innate Gift!

What do you have to offer the world? The value of your gift comes from the estimation of the receiver, not the giver (you).  Your value is inestimable–it is inherent and you are irreplaceable. But the value of your gift is to those whose lives it touches.

The exercise of your gift is  not difficult. It flows with ease. This is why it is easy to discount it as worthless or insignificant. It is the opposite. Your gift is vital.

Someone today needs your words of encouragement, advice or warning.

You must disconnect the value of your gift from the ease from which it flows from you. You have to realize that without the exercise of your gift, someone’s life will be deeply affected.

What will you do? How will you embrace your gift and bring it to the world with greater force and impact?

Everything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.

Viktor Frankl