You Can't Get Where You're Going in Life if You're Unclear of the Destination...

In a society full of hustle and grind, it's time to pump the brakes and refocus on what it is you want from life.

We spend so many days just going through the motions of what we're "supposed" to do, living a life that was modeled for us or one that unintentionally fell into our laps. It's no wonder so many people feel overwhelmed, anxious, and unfulfilled by life. Often, it's because we have no idea where we’re actually heading or where we want to be heading.

We get so caught up in what we know or what we’ve always done that we forget there’s so much more available to us... an entirely different way of doing things.

Many people find themselves living a life that’s out of alignment with their passions and purpose and some don’t even know what they're passionate about anymore.

I’m here to tell you... it’s okay. This can change with just a little reflection and an action plan. I’m not talking about a full life overhaul or a 75-day commitment to drastic change, I’m simply suggesting you take 30 minutes to sit down and get clear on what it is you want from life and then use that to guide everything else.

When we’re clear on where we want to go, every aspect of life becomes easier. You’re no longer wandering aimlessly down a long path only to find out you’ve been heading East when you meant to go West. You’re able to say “yes” and “no” to commitments with more confidence because your decisions are rooted in your goals. It becomes easier to know if you should quit your job, get married, go to the party or just take a nap. When we are clear on where we want to go, we can carry that clarity into everything.

So how do we do this?

We begin with 30-minutes of reflection.

Find 30 minutes in your day to sit down with as much silence as possible. I know this isn’t always easy and it might look like throwing on your kid’s favorite TV show while you sit at the kitchen table (that’s okay- just do what you can).

Grab a pen and paper and envision your ideal life. If there were no boundaries, no limits, no parents, friends, or co-workers telling you who or what you should be... what would you be doing? Who would you be?

Get as detailed as possible:

• What time would you wake up and go to bed?

• What would you wear?

• How would you dress, move, eat, and style your hair?

• What would your day-to-day look like?

• Who would be around you?

  
  

Write it all down.

That vision... that’s your North Star.

And before you start telling yourself every reason why you can’t be this person, stop and say out loud:

What if this could be my life?

The resources are already within you, and life is full of abundance. I can promise you that living on autopilot and holding onto a negative mindset definitely won’t get you there, so why not try something different, just to see what might happen?

With this vision in place, it’s time to understand some key things about yourself.

Take a moment to reflect and ask:

What do I value most in life?

The key here is to get honest about your values, not what your mom says you should value, not what society or Instagram makes trendy, but what you, deep down, care about.

Now, take 1 or 2 small action steps aligned with your vision and values and add on to this every week (or even every month).

Let’s say a value of yours is health, and your vision includes feeling better in your body, maybe less aches and pains, or being someone who prioritizes movement each day. An action step could be:

• Going for a walk at lunch,

• Signing up for the gym,

• Taking a dance class.

Yes, I know that sounds cliché, it’s everyone’s 7-day New Year’s resolution that barely lasts five days... but here’s how this can be different:

It doesn’t need to be a massive change. It doesn’t need to rock your world. It does need to be intentional.

Maybe it’s as simple as doing 10 squats while brushing your teeth in the morning and at night.

This is how you change your life.... not with a quick-fix or yo-yo solution, but by creating intentional habits with a clear vision of where you want to go and when your mind tries to talk you out of it, ask:

Is this taking me closer to the life I want or further away?

You can use this question to guide every decision:

Does this take me closer to my ideal life? Does it align with my values?

Let’s say your child wants to join a traveling soccer team. But your vision includes family dinners, more time together, and one of your values is peace. If the thought of the financial and time commitments sparks anxiety or tension than that’s your answer. It’s a no. Maybe you sign them up for a local team instead.

But maybe your vision does include being a dynamite soccer mom, traveling with your family, and you value supporting their commitment to the sport, then it can be a hell yes.

This is how you get intentional. This is how you create a life that’s aligned with your dreams, your goals, and you- you say yes to all the things that will bring you closer to the vision you have for your life and just as important (if not more) you say NO to the things that don't align.

Get clear on the life you want.

Understand your values and align your life and dreams to fit these values.

Take an action.