What do I want most in my life and career? Let your mind wander. Imagine the life and career you want, not just incremental changes from the life and career you have now.
If I gave myself permission to dream really big, what sort of life and career would I envision? Now, I will give myself that permission! It’s just a mental exercise, for now. Nobody is holding me responsible for realizing my dream, and I don’t have to tell anyone about it.
What stands between me and the life and career I envision? Maybe I’ll have to leave the place where I live and move somewhere else to realize my dreams. Maybe I’ll need to go back to school, or start fresh in a new career path. These goals seem enormous and daunting. I won’t stress about that right now. I’ll live with my dream and write and think about it. I will let it become real in my imagination first. Later it will become real on earth!
Which people in my life support me, and which people suck my energy away? I will surround myself with people who get me and appreciate me. I will give myself the gift of supportive people in my life, even if I have to go out and meet new people to do it. That might be the best thing I could do for myself in 2017. I know that having the wrong people around me will squash my dreams before they have a chance to take shape.
How can I acknowledge myself for the hard work I do every day? I will try to stop beating up on myself in 2017. I will reinforce myself every chance I get, speaking affirmations in my mind or out loud. Here are some affirmations to get me started:
1. I am doing fine now and I’m always getting better. My future is bright, and I have nothing to regret or apologize for in my past.
2. As long as I keep learning, nothing bad will happen. Everything I experience teaches me something important.
3. Not everyone has to get my brand of jazz. I only need a few people in my corner who get me and deserve me!
4. Everything that has happened to me happened for a reason. My job is to get on my path and keep taking steps!
What new power source will show up to power your dreams forward in 2017? The best power source there is — your belief that you deserve the life and career you want. Forget the New Year’s resolutions.
You could lose weight, save money, and tick off another dozen to-do items and still never take a step toward the life and career you deserve.
The way to reach your vision is to dream it up in as much detail as you like and then to take the first step in its direction.
