7 Steps to get on your Path ~ a Guide to Embrace Change
“Indulging ourselves in a frantic fantasy of what our life would look like if we were real artists, we fail to see the many small creative changes that we could make at this very moment… Rather than take a scary baby step toward our dreams, we rush to the edge of the cliff and then stand there, quaking, saying. “I can’t leap. I can’t. I can’t.” ~ Julia Cameron
What is preventing you from following what is in your heart?
Do you long to draw, paint or collage? Do you wish you could change careers or pursue an exciting hobby? Maybe you dream of lush gardens or exotic cooking or interior design!
What happens to your body when you think and imagine yourself doing what your heart wants? Doesn’t it feel good?! Likely it does! So, what is stopping you from taking action?
You don’t need a studio to be a potter or a sculptor. You don’t need to quit your job to be a writer, photographer or a dancer. You don’t need to leave your relationship to own your own business or will be considered a terrible parent to join a passionate cause. Take small steps toward your dream and witness your life transform!
Here are 7 steps to get you on your path today!
- Eliminate what isn’t working!
We are all intuitive and have a sense about what is true or right for us. We all have had feelings about situations or people in our lives and received a signal that something just wasn’t right. This uncomfortable feeling happens when we go against or try to ignore our intuition. The result of ignoring our intuition is the creation of unnecessary challenge in our lives.
In order to find our truth we need to stop struggling and take a step back from what we are doing and listen. Listening and gaining awareness is real progress but in order to harness change and follow our hearts we need to not only get quiet enough to hear but we then also need to be honest with ourselves about what we find and accept ourselves, exactly as we are. If we look back throughout our lives, we will likely recognize a pattern, and see that the same issue and the way we cope continue over and over again.
Reflection: What is in your life that isn’t working? What or who are you ready to let go of?
Get real with yourself and examine any patterns that aren’t aligned with your potential — the YOU, you know you could be.
“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.”– Lao Tzu
2. Create your vision — visualize daily!
Now that you have eliminated what doesn’t work, the next step is to get clear about what it is you really want. Whatever it is that you want in your ideal life, you must become the person that would attract all of these things.
Reflection:
- When you dream about the perfect way to spend your time, what are you doing?
- Imagine that you are completely exhilarated and focused, what are you doing?
- Imagine having all of the material things you want now. Describe using your senses what it is like having them.
- When you feel completely competent, proud and rewarded, what are you doing?
- What qualities does your ideal partner enjoy in you?
- Describe your closest friendship.
Create a clear picture of what you want to manifest in your ideal life, take it a step further and create a collage of what you want to attract into your life.
“The way to choose happiness is to follow what is right and real and the truth for you. You can never be happy living someone else’s dream. Live your own. And you will for sure know the meaning of happiness.”– Oprah Winfrey
3. Be Mindful! Live with Purpose!
The more we identify with our ideal picture of what we want and feel good about it, the faster we will see the change take place in our lives. Our behaviours will change and we will let go of things easier because they simply do not fit. Whatever is not aligned with our deeper values and goals begin to drop away.
Activity: Create a safe space for reflection, contemplation and inspiration! Visit your sacred space every day and reflect on the day’s events and the choices you made.
Commit to your transformation: Develop a regular practice of yoga, meditation, nature walks, daily journal writing and share your experience with an accountability partner, friend or coach.
Be aware of the choices you make and choose only what feels good. I’m not talking about fleeting, superficial “feel good”, I am talking about goodness deep down in your soul. You know when there is an ache in your heart or giddiness in your stomach.
Develop your gifts, talents! Uncover your passions and interests — commit to exploring all of what lies within you.
“Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it.” ~ Buddha
4. Remain focused on yourself!
It is important not to push your new lifestyle choices on others. When you change your behaviour it impacts your primary relationships. Friends and family may become inspired by your commitment to self-growth and jump on board or they may feel completely put off, hurt and rejected. They may have different ideal pictures and start moving in other directions or aren’t interested in examining their behaviour and are simply happy with the way things are.
You cannot force people to change or make them want something different; as you are on your own journey, so is everyone else. Just like everyone else’s way isn’t right for you, nor is your way the right way for everyone else.
There is a way to stop all of this endless, mindless responding to other people’s reactions and that is to trust yourself and make sure that your voice is the loudest voice you hear. Let that voice, your voice guide you in the right direction!
Reflection: What does your intuition tell you? What messages are you receiving? Have there been any synchronicities? What insights do you have about your life and who you are as a powerful individual? What has come into your life to support you during this time of change?
“Courage is the power to let go of the familiar.” — Raymond Lindquist
5. Celebrate YOU and what is happening NOW!
Look for what is working! Throughout this change process, you have made the decision to change the things in your life — all of this action required great courage! Celebrate!
Recognize your success! It is very common to overlook events dismissing them as luck or coincidences; I urge you to avoid minimizing your progress and include even the slightest change that is aligned with your ideal life.
It is important to recognize all of the success as this is evidence for how the Universe is acting in your life. The ability to receive is a critical new skill to develop that will attract more success to you; I encourage you to list all of the successes — no matter what size!
Activity: Let go of others’ input, feedback etc. This is your time to shine! You really deserve to take a moment to relax, look around and have pride for what you have started just for yourself! Reflect on these questions:
- How can you practice savouring your success alone?
- What fills you up or brings you joy? What can you do for yourself to celebrate you?
- How can you incorporate this joyful activity into your celebration today?
“Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into.” ~ Wayne Dyer
6. Don’t give up when you numb out!
When old negative thinking arises, so do old negative coping patterns. Negative coping behaviours are usually excessive behaviours that are distractions from reality. They are harmful ways of dealing with doubt and fear associated with adapting to change and satisfy immediate gratification — over-shopping, exercising, drinking, eating etc… Choosing these behaviours will surely move you further away from what you want.
Knowing your old patterns of coping and being honest with yourself is the first step in breaking the pattern. Watch for the old coping mechanisms as they arise during moments of stress, doubt and fear. Get really familiar with that part of you who is experiencing pain — ask that part of you what “its” message is and what “it needs. Listen for any messages and record the insights.
Trust yourself. You have overcome many obstacles to get to this point in your life, this too shall pass.
Reflection:
- What coping strategies have you used in the past to deal with stress and anxiety?
- How did these strategies work for you in managing your stress?
- How do you want to deal differently with boredom, fear, doubt? Devise a plan and implement when in critical moments.
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
7. Evolve! Expand! Embrace your life!
Keep adding to your vision of what you desire! Keep expanding, developing and utilizing your power. Create more of what you want!
Wanting more does not mean that you are selfish or incapable of being satisfied, it means that you have uncovered something inside of you that wants to blossom and flourish! You have released your inner truth and it is spreading! Don’t hold back, just follow your heart!
Activity: Create a list to achieve in 1 day, 1 month, 1 year, 10 years. Keep this list with you.
“Anything or anyone that does not bring you alive is too small for you.” — David Whyte
You deserve to receive goodness in life. You are the only person in the entire world who has the unique combination of experiences that creates your individual perspective. No one else is exactly like you.
Live your Purpose! Write your own story!
I hope that whatever you are facing, or however you feel about your ability and deservedness to create a life of purpose, you will be able to find the courage and inner strength to overcome!
If you would like to read about how to make and accept change in your life, consider purchasing my book, Follow Your Heart to Discover Your Life Purpose. I would love to sign a copy for you! Click here for more details on how I can help you.
If you need assistance or guidance on how to begin your journey, I also offer one-on-one coaching services at Embrace Your Life coaching. If I can be of any help to you, I would love to schedule a complimentary session to discuss your goals.
