Creating with intention
Yesterday I joined a call with several dynamic professionals. The topic? Audacious goals. It made me realize that it isn’t often we verbalize our innermost dreams. Which is unfortunate.
There is something powerful about setting intention, announcing with clarity and conviction what you want and where you are going.
It’s easy and passive to let life come to you. The risky way? Making it known — and going after it.
Set one audacious goal this month. Failing is relative.
I say this phrase often, and most of the time people don’t know what I’m talking about.
Why? You can either set yourself up for success or failure.
Think about it: from the people you’re with to the clothes you wear to the books you read to the ways you spend your after hours, you are making choices. I’ll say it again.
I know it can suck to hear this. And I also know that yes, life can throw curveballs and things that exist beyond our control. Accidents happen.
But generally speaking…
The reason you’re lonely isn’t their fault.
The people who are happy aren’t just lucky.
The successful people on top don’t just end up there.
It’s a result of painstakingly HARD WORK.
The choices aren’t always easy ones, and I won’t lie and tell you there won’t be days you feel like quitting.
Put yourself in situations to gain the experience you need.
Surround yourself with people who can elevate, encourage, and inspire you.
Identify what you need to get where you want to go, and make it happen.
Set yourself up for the life you truly want.
A challenge:
The next time you’re at a party or social gathering, abolish “What do you do?” from your vernacular.
You will most likely find out sooner or later what someone does. There are a gazillion things you can talk about without having to ask how an individual pays bills, and the probability that the “9-5” isn’t really what gets that person going is high. Isn’t it more interesting to talk about passion?
Topics you can discuss when meeting someone for the first time:
note: On occasion, you will meet an individual who has successfully managed to blend passion and work. Hang around this person, ask them lots of questions, and ask them to introduce you to others.
Too often, we get caught up in the finished product before we even begin. We think about what it is going to look like, how it will be received, what people will say. We create an idea of “perfect” and scare ourselves away from starting.
Along the way, we were taught to color inside of the lines and cut straight across the dotted pattern. Imperfections and mistakes don’t add value. Uniqueness is risky, and we want to make sure our efforts are worth our time.
It doesn’t matter what it looks like when you start. In fact, intentionally screw something up. Start with the crudest iteration you can think of.
Something is better than nothing, especially when you’ve gotten in your own way.
There’s a moment you realize you’ve been living a lie. In fact, you haven’t really been living at all, you’ve just been going through the motions. You’ve performed what’s expected of you, doing what it takes to make it to five o’clock.
Suddenly, you realize that you possess the distinct power to create the life you thought was reserved only for others.
You recognize that you can choose to step in the direction of your dreams.
You finally realize that no one else can dictate your journey. You don’t have to wait to be put in the game. You can build a happy ending. You can choose to be the star.
If you haven’t had this moment yet, find people who have and ask them to help you get there yourself.
“Everyone’s done it this way” it isn’t a good enough reason.
How can you insert a question mark into what’s come before?
Is there something you’ve followed without thinking? Is there a procedure you could better?
Can you turn good enough into best?
Buck often.