I want to - one day - publish a book. I've had this dream for years now and just a few months ago it became clear to me that no matter how much I thought about my forthcoming book it was not writing itself! Whaaat!? ;)
As exciting as it can be to set really big goals it often comes with a sense of uncertainty about where to start. Some goals feel so big that even though we know we really want to achieve them, we never start. To get myself going with my writing I realized I needed to: 1) clarify my bigger "WHY" , and 2) define smaller "WHAT" steps - specific action steps that would get me started. I asked myself: What is my ultimate goal? AND How can I start doing that, even in small ways? The first question can seem big. What is my ultimate goal? You might realize that you're not all that clear about your bigger WHY. You might need to contemplate this for a while and keep asking yourself, layer by layer: "Why is THAT important? Once that goal is accomplished, what becomes possible?" Allow yourself to stay with this inquiry until you get some clarity. As I reflected on my ultimate goal with writing it became clear that it is actually NOT to publish a book. Rather, the goal with my writing is to contemplate common life dilemmas and bring forth concrete tools, insights, and concepts that inspire my reader to take incremental action toward living their life to its fullest. I want to be of service. With that clarity, I could explore some potential "WHAT" steps; How could I start doing that now, even on a smaller scale? How could I already begin to provide the value I eventually intended to share in my book? I decided to post some of my incremental writing as BLOG posts. To fully "kick into gear", I committed to writing eight BLOG posts within my first month. A bit of a stretch but I was deeply inspired! What is a big goal or dream that you have? Take some time to clarify your ultimate goal, by asking yourself; "Assuming this goal is accomplished, what becomes possible then?" One common goal is wanting to lose weight or "get in shape". If that is true for you (or was ever true for you), I doubt that your ultimate goal is to see a certain number on the scale, or hit the gym with a certain frequency. Rather, you probably want to feel a certain way, or be capable of engaging in specific activities. Once you are more fit, you might hope to feel more energized, and able - perhaps even eager! - to take a long hike in the hills. With the increased self-confidence that you imagine, you can find the guts to go for that promotion at work. With clarity about your ultimate goal - at least good enough for now - it's time to get into action. -How can you accomplish even a small version of that ultimate result already THIS WEEK? -What can you do TODAY that already gives you some of that feeling? For the "getting in shape" example; What can you do TODAY that helps you feel energized?: eat something healthy, get a good night's sleep, spend time in nature? What can you do TODAY that gives you a sense of self-confidence?: put a little extra effort into your outfit, remind yourself of your strengths, practice good posture? Start living your DAYS aligned with that ultimate goal and I bet each day will enable you to realize that goal more fully. During this past month I have put pen to paper nearly every day and have now completed my eight BLOG posts that I committed to at the beginning of April. Yaaay!! I feel more like a writer than ever and am definitely inspired to keep going. I hope my recent contemplations and implementation tips have provided value for YOU! Please do let me know (comment below or email [email protected]) Ulrika is the creator of the “Making Time” program – a holistic time management approach rooted in Agile principles and practices. She supports successful professionals who want a more balanced approach toward living a truly fulfilling life. She takes her clients through an exploration to discover what's truly most important to them, and then teach/coach how to prioritize and take focused action in alignment with those deeper values.
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Sometimes, trying harder will keep you stuck.
When I was in my corporate job as an analyst I also had a dog. Although the company had a dog friendly policy and my pooch could hang out under my desk as I worked away, I often felt guilty about taking time out of my workday to walk him. However, I had also noticed that I came up with the most creative ideas and solutions while away from my work, walking my dog. Answers became available when I STOPPED trying so hard. Sometimes trying less will get you there faster. My walks helped me broaden my perspective, both quite literally - by turning my eyes away from my computer and taking in more of my environment - but also, perhaps more importantly, it helped me tap into a much broader range of possibilities. Being less driven to find a solution I could access seemingly unrelated thoughts, memories, and impressions, from which new connections could form. Answers and solutions popped up when I was not trying. Have you had a similar experience? I bet you have. Perhaps you came up with a great idea in the shower or solved a gnarly problem while driving. Most any activity that does NOT require you to focus on the task at hand will let you to access this broader focus. In my experience it's as if I tap into another part of myself, a part that is NOT accessible to me when I'm in task mode. Through this less structured way of being I access a sort of knowing which I believe Freud put in the hidden part of his metaphorical consciousness iceberg. In this less conscious part of myself I find answers I didn't realize I had. Recent discoveries in neuroscience also support this idea. Researchers have discovered that there are two main "modes" in which we operate. Either we are in "task mode" - focused on a complex physical or mental task, OR we are in "default mode" - a broader, unstructured way of being where we can access a different sort of knowing. In essence, when one mode is "on" the other one is "off". Next time you feel like you're having a hard time determining the "right" next step or solution, why not STOP trying. Rather than continuing to push through with sheer determination, switch mode by engaging in a more spacious activity. Flip the "task mode" switch to OFF and the "default mode" to ON. Do something that gives your mind a chance to wander. Daydream, ruminate, and imagine - allowing the brilliance of your unconscious to emerge. Ulrika is the creator of the “Making Time” program – a holistic time management approach rooted in Agile principles and practices. She supports successful professionals who want a more balanced approach toward living a truly fulfilling life. She takes her clients through an exploration to discover what's truly most important to them, and then teach/coach how to prioritize and take focused action in alignment with those deeper values. |
AuthorAs a Holistic Time Management coach Ulrika reflects on ways to live our every day on purpose - with agility. Archives
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