Typically, we simplify our lives into two main paths, each of us creating a double consciousness for work and home lives.
Compartmentalizing aspects of living makes it easier for some people to handle the challenges from work and the opportunities with family. But inevitably, the two paths cross. How many families over-schedule children’s after school activities making it seem like elementary school children have back-to-back c-suite meetings, just as one example as how hiding from reality doesn’t bring honest happiness.
There is a tendency in life to pick goals that will make other people proud: your parents that you are a high-level manager; your peers that you make a ton of money; your loved ones that you can give them all the presents they ever wanted. But what happened to that dream of yours to be anything you wanted to be? It could have been a poet, a dancer, an actor, a singer; an inventor, a scientist, a mechanic or more.
The truth is this: we can have success on more than one path and take a different route to achieve our goals. Super-achievers visualize what they want and go for it. The walk isn’t hard. But you have to keep taking steps to move forward.
What do you think would happen if you could carve time specifically for dreaming and allowed yourself to follow your true passion? If you went to bed 30 minutes later so you could do an online course in something that interests you… If you woke up 60 minutes earlier to paint a sunrise… if you took a laptop on your lunch break and started writing a book? What would happen if you started telling the truth to yourself about what makes you happy and where you want to take your career?
Truthfully, you can make time for anything you want. Twenty-four hours in a day is a lot of time to accomplish things if you organize yourself. Perhaps you may not like your job, but enjoy the money. So use that cash flow you’ve earned following the Jones’ dream in order to hack back into your dreams and make something better happen for yourself.
Just because you are doing one thing doesn’t mean you can’t be working toward something you really want out of life. Ask yourself the hard questions and see if you can tell yourself the truth and act on it - that a little more working for what you really want will bring your greater advantages in the future.
“Think of yourself as on the threshold of unparalleled success. A whole, clear, glorious life lies before you. Achieve! Achieve!” - Andrew Carnegie
(Quote in image is generally attributed to Maggie Kuhn, Activitst, though the original quote was, "Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind, even if your voice shakes."
Heather M. Hilliard is Principal and Chief Strategist for R. Roan Enterprises, LLC, a professional services consulting firm supporting businesses in pointed areas of expertise as well as with individuals for targeted projects or career development. For more articles like these, visit her posts on LinkedIn or on G+.
#seizetheday, #makeithappen
