Creating with intention
Different experiences demand different strengths, and different phases of life bring different challenges.
What areas of your life do you refuse to compromise?
Set non-negotiables and make moves accordingly. Then, trust yourself enough to know that if it doesn’t feel right, you will go.
Confidence grows from clarity.
Write down 6 words you’d use to describe yourself.
Now take a good, hard look at the words you’ve listed.
Is this who you want to be?
The way we see ourselves directly impacts the decisions we make on a daily basis. Sometimes an adjustment in perspective needs to take place before change can occur.
Bonus: I’m taking on two more coaching clients. Get in touch to see if coaching is right for you.
Tell 5 people you appreciate them.
Think of 5 things you love about yourself.
Set aside 5 minutes to write.
List 5 goals you want to achieve by week’s end.
Check-in with 5 people who appear strong.
Remember 5 obstacles you’ve overcome.
Thank 5 service workers.
Choose 5 songs you can play the next time you feel anxious.
Invite 5 people to a Zoom call.
Bookmark 5 websites that inspire you.
Tape 5 quotes next to your workstation.
Make 5 calls to people who might be struggling.
Take 5 deep breaths.
As the coach of your life, be sure these players are on your team:
The Mentor – This is a person you respect and admire, someone who’s “been there.” You see their life and think “That’s what I want.” These people remind you to look at the big picture.
An Advisee – Someone you mentor. They are eager to learn from you and respect your work. Your willingness to teach them and spend time with them reaffirms your own knowledge and skills, even reminding you where you’ve come from and lessons you’ve learned along the way.
Your Advocate – No matter what circumstance you find yourself in, you need people who fight for you and honor what you stand for.
Supporting Star – You challenge each other to become the best you can be. You compare notes, support each other, and get competitive when it’s beneficial. This could be a colleague or friend, someone you feel comfortable delegating work to or can trust to help when you unexpectedly head out of town.
A Neutral – This is someone who can provide an outside perspective when needed, a person with no direct investment in your life or work.
The Wildcard – The Wildcard is just that, wild. Someone in an industry completely different than your own, an energy that keeps you on your toes and brings you new ideas and experiences.
The people around you can make the difference between pushing beyond your limits and settling for less. Find those who motivate, inspire, and encourage you to do better.
Modified from this post, March 2013.
Many years ago, a coach gave me an assignment that changed my life.
My original list contained almost 90 items, goals ranging from learning to tie a necktie to finishing a marathon. I revisit this list from time to time. It has served as a guidepost for sorting out impulse and helping me decide whether my choices are circumstantial or made with intention.
It’s impossible to forge ahead if you don’t have a direction. (I didn’t always know this.) When you focus your efforts, you’re much more likely to get it done.
Mark your calendar and commit. Set aside one undisturbed hour in a space you feel comfortable.
While writing your list, let yourself play and dream. Don’t pause to question. Don’t edit. Just write.
Place your list someplace safe so you can return to it and reassess whether these goals are where you’d like to concentrate your energy. It’s never “too late” to dream.
Modified from Dream Chasers, posted December 2012.
I’ve been asked what keeps me motivated. The question echoes when I pick up a book, stop at a piece of art, choose a film, or marvel at a friend’s project. What drives passion and fuels excitement? Curiosity.
I understand when life becomes disenchanting and hard, curiosity isn’t a natural tendency. The ability to become and remain curious is something like a well; a source that gives back with the right attention. Here are four ways you can spark your own curiosity:
Curiosity, like creativity, requires space and intention. You have to invite curiosity into your life. It starts with awareness and depends on your ability to observe not only the world around you, but yourself.
Curiosity requires participation. When you become curious, you no longer passively gaze at photographs or mindlessly consume shows. Curious individuals wonder. They wonder why certain topics are triggers and think of questions to ask creators.
Curiosity demands that you set aside “expertness” and search for that which you do not know. You might feel silly or out of place, but your questions will direct you to new territories of understanding.
Search for a variety of sources: Books, people, professionals, amateurs, stories, news, programs, Google, teachers, friends, art, songs, podcasts. The more sources you confront, the richer your experiences become.
How do you feed your curiosity? Tweet me @redheadlefthand.