Living Your Vision Now

Do you ever find yourself putting off things that you really want for “someday” in the future, yet that future never seems to get here?  

Perhaps you are waiting for “things” to get better, or until you are more confident, or 100% sure of something?

For the first half of my life that was me.  I was risk-averse and had to be “sure” something was right before I did it.  Whether big or small – I was “on hold” for many things in my life.  I had visions of what I wanted my life to look like, feel like, be like, but they were just that – distant visions and longings. Then that all changed.  After a few family tragedies very close together, I realized that NOW is the only thing we can be sure of.  I am here now and life is precious.  Luckily my husband felt the same way and so our quest “do it now” was born!  

What are some of the ways we have been living our vision now instead of putting them on hold?

Caring for an animal– Having never had a pet growing up, I longed for a cat as a companion.  Being so uncertain of what was involved, I put it off for years.  Finally I did it, adopted an 8 year old cat who I named Cookie. She was such a special part of my life for the 8 years I was lucky enough to have her in my life, bringing love and light to my days. 

Bringing the spa to us– For years my husband and I would talk about how great it would be if we had a hot tub in our yard but we always put it off thinking it’s too expensive, will make our electric bill too high, and it would be too much to maintain. Then one day we said let’s do it – and the relaxation, joy and togetherness it brought to us was well worth it.  PS – we chose one that fit our budget and it was less expensive to run than we thought and very easy to maintain.

Big life transition– You’ve heard this one before from me but it big on many levels so worth repeating.  For years I had “wished” I was living somewhere else but alas my husband was the one not ready, until one day he was and we immediately launched our quest for our perfect place to live.  While that transition took almost 2 years from start to finish, we were fully committed/engaged in the process the whole time.  We had said YES to the move and were patient as we explored our possibilities. At the same time, I said YES to being a business owner and started my coaching business.  Two choices that have been transformational to our lives in more ways than we can count.

What about you?  

Your “somedays” may be far different than ours, but whether they include what you want to do, be or have, they matter!

What will it take for you to be living your vision now?

Not yet sure of your vision or want help refining it?  Read previous posts

Using What Works

How often do you see what is right with who you are and how you operate?

For so many of us, when we look at ourselves we often see what is wrong with us.  Things we wish we could be, have or do as we compare ourselves to others that have those qualities and skills or strengths we wish we had.

We wish we could…

  • be a planner when we are a last minute person
  • be an early riser when we are a night owl
  • be more outgoing at events/parties when we prefer the company of a few

Sure, some of these areas we can choose to work on, enhance and change – especially those that truly hinder us.  However, what I have found is…

If we look at what we DO have, who we already ARE, we will find that there is a lot that works WELL in our lives…..when we actually embrace it and use it.

Example 1: Time Management

I had a client wishing she was better at time management as she would cram all of her studies in the day or so before her exams (she was in a graduate program) and was so stressed by it. I asked how her grades were – they were great.  I asked how often she met deadlines – she always did.  Clearly something was working well here.  I then asked what is the real issue then?  It was the stress that showed up when she thought she shouldnot be cramming the day before, when she thought she should bea planner, study a little every day leading up to the exam.  When I asked how often that worked for her, she admitted that it didn’t.  For her, there is something about the energy that infuses her when she crammed.  

So what did she choose instead?  

When she began to accept and embrace her “gift” of how she gets things done,how she learns best, she reduced her stress.  We also went a step further and made sure, in her schedule, that she allowed the space in her day – the day before her exams – to cram. That slight change further reduced her stress in cramming, thus enhancing what already works for her!

Example 2: Going it Alone

Many clients wish they could go-it-alone in their job search process.  Just plowing through their day, applying for job after job like they see their friends/colleagues doing.  For many, having the support, company or accountability of others is what springs them to action.  Yet I hear, time and again, the suffering people experience when they do not build that support into their job search plan and suffer in silence (or worse, not engage in the process at all).  When they acknowledge their need for support partners, when they seek them out and make commitments with them, Then they thrive!

Think about your own life..

When are you wishing away a trait or behavior – seeing it as a cross to bear or curse when it actually might be a gift instead?

What are the giftsthat trait or behavior give you?

What would happen if you embraced them, fully allowing yourself to use what works?

How are you measuring progress?

Progress means I have reached my goal.

Does that statement ring true for you? 

If you are like many of my clients, that definition of progress may be actually hindering your achievement and accomplishment!  How can that be?

When you measure progress only as the achievement of a goal, what happens when you are not reaching your goal as quickly as you would like (or think you should)?  Often you stop.

Why is that?

Goals, and progress in general, often means the approaching of a reward and the reward usually means the completion of something.  When that reward is not met, we often stop trying, striving or taking any action. We give up, let go of or get distracted from our intent/goal.

What to do about that?

Change your definition of progress.

What if you were to see Progress as every, any and all effort that you put toward any endeavor or goal?

  • Everything you learn, discover and uncover about yourself, your likes, your wants, your values as you embark on your career discovery
  • Every person you speak with, and every attempt you make to connect with them as you build relationships and get connected to your community/network
  • Every word you write in your cover letter, every tweak you make to your LinkedInprofile
  • Every resumeyou write and submit, every interviewyou have, every thank you note you write as you embark on your job search
  • Every word you write, call you make, research you do, idea you have toward any and all of your personal and professional projects.

Progress can be, and truly is, every single tiny step you take along any journey you are on.  When you see it this way, you will realize just how much progress you have already made and can be making day to day.  It can inspire and motivate you to keep going and even have more ease while on your path.

What would change for YOU if you chose to measure progress this way?