Listen to Yourself

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I’ve talked about the basics that go into creating an utmost life: purpose, passions, and priorities…the 3 P’s, which define your goals and how you want to get to them. I’ve also talked about the attitudes that will keep you on the path…imagination, focus, and courage. Now it’s time to take the first steps toward transforming your life…if you haven’t already done so. If I told you how to bake an apple pie, even if I gave you all the ingredients, you wouldn’t have much success unless I also gave you the tools…rolling pin, pie pan, pie weights, and an oven.

The first step in finding your God idea is to start looking for it. Even if you began this journey wanting to change your life, sincerely searching for the wonder that’s in you, you may have been just browsing a blog so far, flipping through a menu, waiting for someone or something to make a choice for you. It’s like when ou go out for dinner and everybody always asks everybody else what they’re having before they decide. You might be thinking, Maybe Tim will suggest what I should do next, so that I don’t have to do all that writing and thinking and stuff. You may not even be aware that you’re doing that. But, unless you’ve started to feel that urgency, that sense that there’s a new life waiting for you around the corner, then that’s what going on. When you do feel that urgency, it’s so exciting and energizing that I couldn’t stop you even if I wanted to.

Of course there’s no way I can tell you what you should be doing and you probably know that. They have to be your answers, your purpose, your passions. No one else can serve them up for you. So want are you waiting for…dig deep and go for it.

“Listen to the MUSTN’Ts, child, listen to the DON’Ts, listen to the SHOULDN’Ts, the IMPOSSIBLEs, the WON’Ts, listen to the NEVER HAVEs, then listen close to me–Anything can happen, child, ANYTHING can be.”

- Shel Silverstein


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Making Time For Your Destiny

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Your destiny is all around you. Be observant and be creative. As you work with the tools and techniques you are learning, you will be better able to take advantage of opportunities. And as you develop your confidence, more opportunities will come, and you will be able to take full advantage of them.

  • Plan for the consequences of success.
  • Beware of new comfort zones.
  • Keep readjusting your goals.
  • If something goes wrong, don’t just give up…see if you can adjust and refine.
  • Get out of your boxes.
  • Be flexible…inspect, respect, and select all the good opportunities that come your way, even when they’re unexpected.

Challenge:

Make yourself a dream board or a success scrapbook: cut out pictures and stories about people who are living the life you want to live. Keep it where you can look at it or will pass by it many times a day. If you use your computer/ipad/smartphone, make it your screen saver. Use words and pictures that remind you of the utmost life you want to live.

Start a personal record book. Every time you accomplish something…anything…that you haven’t been able to do before, write it down.

Dream bigger. Look at the list of things that you never thought you would be able to accomplish. Imagine what you will need to make those dreams come true.

Pick a teacher for the day or the week. Think about someone who has a characteristic you admire…a friend, a relative, a colleague, or someone you’ve heard or read about. Think about what you can learn from that person.

Pick someone to appreciate once a week. Drop that person a note about how much you enjoy their company or admire their work. If it’s someone you know, you’ll be amazed at the warmth it will give to your life. If it’s someone you don’t know, you may surprised at their gratitude. I find it especially rewarding to verbally appreciate those who go unnoticed (cleaning lady, drive-thru cashier, doorman, TSA agent, DMV clerk, kids everywhere, etc).

If you are going to ever see your dreams become reality…you are going to have to make time and space for those dreams.

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Time to Delve in 2012?!

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Whether we’re going to be “great in 2008“, “doing fine in 2009“, “doing it again in 2010“, “opening up heaven in 2011“…we seem to like the idea that each year brings a sort of magic. We love the idea that the fireworks, champagne and watching the Times Square ball drop will magically turn us into something we couldn’t be in the previous year. It’s a new hope for new beginnings.

However, just because the calendar changes, it won’t magically make you stay in Weight Watchers, start loving your partner again, improve your credit score or quit smoking. It’s going to take more than a magical feeling at the stroke of midnight. It’s going to take a new decision, a new discipline, a new outlook. New Year’s resolutions aren’t bad…they are actually quite effective when followed through.

I think the problem is that many of us don’t understand what New Year’s resolutions are about, namely, change, usually significant life change. We must take a serious look at what it is going to take to make your resolutions stick.

Here’s a few things to help you stick to your resolutions.

1. Keep it simple…pick one or two things you really want to work on. You can change the world next year.

2. Make a Plan…do some research. If its going to take money…set a budget. Consider any obstacles. Choose a start date.

3. Create milestones. For most of us, if we haven’t reached our goal by February, we feel like a failure. Breaking your big goal into small easily achievable milestones is key.  Think about your life change in terms of steps.

4. Go big! Be committed 100%. Write it down on sticky notes on your mirror, in your car, on your phone wallpaper, on your computer screen. Every morning, before you even get out of bed, ask yourself, “What do I want to accomplish today?”

5. Don’t beat yourself up…small failures are normal. If you fall, get back up. If you give in to your old ways, forgive yourself and move forward.

6. Reward yourself. There is nothing wrong with patting yourself on the back along the way…just don’t go into debt doing so.

So, is this year going to be different? Is it going to be great? It absolutely can be. It’s up to you. The Time Square New Year’s Ball is in your hands and the decision is yours.

“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.”  ~Benjamin Franklin

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” Jeremiah 29:11

What are some of your resolutions this year and what are you doing to ensure to have success?

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Birthday Reflections

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My birthday is tomorrow. I know, I know…birthdays have a funny way of making you take a look at yourself, your life path and the relationships along the way. Here are few tips on handling self-reflection in a healthy manner.

The List

Make a list of goals or dreams that you want to accomplish in your life. Now make a list of things you have already done. Most of us only focus on what we haven’t done yet, not what we have done well so far. Balance is key in reflecting and moving forward. Focusing on the future, but being motivated by the past, is ideal. Everyone has done at least one beneficial thing in their past, although some of us may have to think real hard to remember.

Celebrate

Celebrating is healthy, not only the good choices, but acknowledging what you have learned from your “not so good” choices. Celebrating the good, the bad and the ugly, not to justify it, but to celebrate the journey. It is a great way to live life with your eyes wide open. Being aware of your mistakes and your successes is necessary for achieving the goals and dreams you wrote on your first list.

Setting Concrete Goals

Soyou have your lists, you are aware of your life so far…now it’s time to set some goals. When you set goals, don’t just write down the big idea, but dig deep and consider the milestones you must successfully achieve to accomplish the big goal. Here’s an example…if someone wanted to be the CEO of a big company, they must first accomplish some milestones before they get there. Maybe starting with a degree, learning everything they can about business, learning to be a leader, maybe even dressing the part. It may take you starting in the mailroom, it may require shaving the beard and buying a suit. These are practical milestones that are necessary for achieving your goal of being the CEO of a large company.

Take a Deep Breath

You have looked at your life thus far, you have your list, you’ve set your goals, you’ve considered the milestones…okay okay, now take a deep breath and blow out your candles. Enjoy the moment. Surround yourself with family or friends that will support you in reaching your goals. Eat cake (or pie).

You don’t have to wait until your birthday to reflect. You can start today. Many of you have taken advantage of our DreamMakers club to motivate you and give some direction towards achieving your goals. Whatever you do…don’t let another day go by just doing the same old thing…living the same tired life. It’s time to stretch, reach and achieve.

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