Living Life On Your Terms

What do you mean, living life on my terms? Is that possible? Is there really such a thing? Can I actually pursue what is meaningful and important to me and have my health, family, finances, career, education, friendships, significant relationships, hobbies, play, fun and a spiritual connection? WOW! Tell me more.

Ok, let's proceed.

Step # 1

First things first - It is important to get a snapshot of where YOU say YOU are right now. This is a bit different than other times you may have done a similar rating or assessment. I want you to shut out what others have told you you about where you are, where they think you should be or where and how you have compared or judged yourself to others.

Reach into your heart and soul as you do this exercise. This is about you! Get real, tell the truth and keep the perspective that your answers are information ONLY! Detach from any story, judgement or excuse about whatever comes up.

If you are feeling a little resistance or hesitation, relax, drop your shoulders, take a deep breath. Notice the thoughts racing, notice how you are feeling, hold this too as information ONLY. We will get back to the information we are gathering. For now, see if you can allow the thoughts, emotions and feelings to be there without having to follow the them. This is an initial lesson in AWARENESS.

Now sit up straight, take a deep breath and take the assessment from a clean slate. This is a new moment in time, an opportunity to be FREE and REAL.

On a scale of 1 - 10, with 10 being high, how would YOU rate YOURSELF as living your life on YOUR terms in each of these areas? Write your ratings down.

Health
Family
Career
Education
Finances
Friendships
Significant Relationship
Hobbies/Play/Fun
Spiritual connection

Good job! Now breathe. Feel what it feels like to be authentic, real, free and present in this moment.

Step # 2

Identify one or two areas that you would like to enhance, shift directions or make a change in that would be in alignment with what would be authentic for you, not anyone else that you have been consciously or unconsciously living your life for or in accordance with up until now. Write that down.

You might ask, how do you expose what is unconscious?

You do a little discovery on thoughts, words, actions, themes, patterns or behaviors that are automatic, inauthentic, reactive and predictable. Which of your thoughts, words and actions have been in alignment with what you authentically want? Which ones have been in alignment with what others want or need from you? This is an initial lesson in alignment for what you say is most important and meaningful to you instead of following the herd or tribe that has conditioned or programmed you for their comfort.

Step # 3

What's one action step that you could take this week that would interrupt your current rating in each the areas you identified you wanted to move forward in? In other words, what action would move your rating a notch, say from 6.2 to 6. 3 or 6.5? Don't set yourself up for sabotage by trying to shoot for going from 6.2 to 10 all at one time.

What's one habit you could you create in those one or two areas that would consistently move the needle in alignment with your long-term vision, goal or dream in that area? This is an initial lesson in purposeful and intentional action vs. being swept along, drifting or busyness.

Put that action or habit in your calendar and follow through on this commitment to you living life on your terms.

Step # 4

Crucial to any program or plan for success in any endeavor is to acknowledge the progress you are making. Be willing to claim the steps you have taken in deepening your belief and effort for creating a life on your terms. Taking time to acknowledge everything that went into you following through on the previous steps is HUGE! This very important of acknowledgment step is fuel, energy and motivation to get up and do it again the next day. The more you acknowledge, the more confidence, courage and consistency will be available to you. This is an initial lesson in Acknowledgment.

Recap -

Lesson # 1 - Awareness without judgment
Lesson # 2 - Alignment with what you say is most important and meaningful
Lesson # 3 - Action to move you in the direction you want to go
Lesson # 4 - Acknowledgment for your progress and for what is next
 
If you are ready to be guided through a program to LIVE LIFE ON YOUR TERMS, click here.

The time is NOW!

Register for my program, 4 Steps To Creating A  Life You Love. It begins January 12th and runs for 4 consecutive Thursday nights.
 
If you would like an expanded conversation about your specific situation, goal or plan, don't hesitate to contact me at 985-860-8861 or denise@empoweringpotential.com.