GREAT! You’ve recognized some changes you want to make in your life. You’ve set your goals and have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, when and how. Congratulations … there’s just one small hitch. One tiny problem. Something is stopping you from achieving those goals and putting a massive “Detour” sign bang in the middle of “Goal Highway”.
Often, we find that, although we can identify those steps we need to take to help us reach our goals, we are held back because we are locked into unconscious patterns, which anchor us to how we have always been; the long-held beliefs we have had that this is the way we’ve always done it, so why change? The fears of upsetting or impacting others if we make that change, the guilt because we are putting ourselves, our own needs first. Sound familiar?
So, let’s look at 3 strategies to help us achieve our goals:
- Start by envisioning what you want to achieve. How will this make you feel? What effects (positive and negative) will this have on your life, on those around you? What will life look like on the “other side”? Write this down if it helps (remember it’s for your eyes only, so no stressing if it looks anything other than perfect!)
- Clear out. Now, make a list of what’s in your way. What’s stopping you from achieving your goal Nirvana? – Be sure to consider all aspects of your life and wellbeing – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual and be honest, even though this might involve looking deep within yourself. It will be worth it, promise!
So, now you have your list of “road blocks”, which can you remove? Set about removing, deleting and clearing all those that no longer serve you. Doesn’t that feel better? Sort of like a “soul spa”, right?! Remember, if it doesn’t support your better self – ditch it!
- It’s time to notice how you feel, unencumbered by what was holding you back. By performing this de-cluttering process, you give yourself more space to achieve your dreams and to explore new energy and new ideas. You may have removed physical clutter – “stuff” in your home, your office (what about that email inbox? How many spammy emails does one person need?) Stuff on your desk, your shelves, stuff in your calendar, or it may be more about ridding yourself of emotional clutter – old ideas, bad habits, feelings of “not being good enough”, that ugly imposter syndrome that shadows your working life; whatever form your clutter takes, how do you now feel having acknowledged and addressed those feelings?
By removing these self-limiting beliefs and practices, you will free up “space” and give yourself the tools to get more done. As the Buddha said, “What you are is what you have been, what you will be is what you do now”. So, take your fresh, newly-decluttered, de-complicated self and move forwards with purpose! Go do great things!
In our next blog, we will be looking at the next step of the process. How to simplify your home and financial life. Be sure to check it out!