Will your life “tomorrow” be
different from your life today? What about your career or business?
Sadly the answer for the vast
majority of people is that little, if anything, will actually change in their
life over the next twenty four hours or beyond. The reality is that they aren’t
doing one single thing to be proactive about changing what needs to change in
their lives.
One of the significant issues
that my individual clientele, business owners and corporate clients must come
to grips with is the same issue that I now ask you… What is the one thing that absolutely has to change in your life?
The companion question that also
requires your complete honesty is… What
is the consequence if it doesn’t change?
In almost every instance, the
answers to these two insightful questions come to mind in a virtual instant,
because they are already weighing heavily on your mind. Simply stated, the
answers are immediate and obvious to you because you already know exactly how
it will affect your life.
The true oddity here is that most
people utilize superficial thinking and problem solving in dealing with their
lives. Consequently, the decisions that they make and the actions that they
take are likewise superficially based on what is immediate and obvious to them.
Yet, even when you know exactly what needs to change in your life and why… You
still choose to do nothing. This principle holds true for both your
professional life, as well as your personal life.
Come tomorrow, you will
invariably execute the exact same hum-drum routines in the exact same order as
you did today. Will this simply occur out of established habits that have you
running on auto pilot? The factual truth is that you are far more likely to
make a clear conscious choice to not step outside of your comfort zone.
While this is your “reality”, it
is not the reality that you should be opting for. You don’t have to live a lukewarm life, nor do you have to be lukewarm
about your work. There was a time years ago when you were full of
excitement, optimism and passion for what you were going to do with your life.
What has actually happened to you
over the years, is that you have allowed the predictability of your responsibilities
to rob you of your zest for life and the meaningful work that you do. You have
become far more focused on perceived material necessities, than on your beliefs
about what is truly important in life. Somewhere along the road of life, you
swapped your passion and spirit of adventure for complacency and a false sense
of security.
The proof lies with the tens of
millions of adult American’s who sat comfortably at home watching Macy’s
Fireworks Spectacular on TV (or other such events) on the evening of July 4th.
Have you become one of them? Yet, there was a time in these same people’s lives
when they would have clamored to get the best possible spot to view the live fireworks
event in their home town.
Over this past holiday weekend, the
Hallmark Channel was airing Christmas movies. Concurrently, many retailers were
also attempting to cash in by having Christmas in July sales. It would be my
observation that there is a take-a-way that you could apply to your life here.
Think back to last December, what were your hopes, dreams and goals for the
coming year? The great news is that half of the year is still in front of you
and it remains filled with endless possibilities for real achievement. Be
gracious enough to give yourself permission for a do-over.
Virtually every electronic device
that you own has a “reset” feature or button. There is no time like the present
to hit your reset button and reboot your life, career or business. There is
absolutely nothing standing in your way… but “you”.
Call a timeout and then get your
life, goals and priorities straight. Stop taking the easy way out. Stop living
life vicariously through other people. Decide what it is that you truly want.
Dust off a dream and then pursue it with everything you’ve got. Determine
what’s missing in your life. Press past your fear and do something that you
have never done before. Dare to live your life boldly.
When you do, not only will you
take back control of your life… You’ll discover a new found zest for living
like never before!
Copyright © 2014 Developing Forward | Thomas H. Swank, CBC | All Rights Reserved.
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