As the year winds down, some of us use it as a time to take stock of our past year -our challenges and accomplishments. But how many of us think ahead to what we want to do and be in the coming year?
Sure, we all have a bucket list. And we all have dreams. But take a moment to really think of what you are doing now. Is it your impossible? Do you wake up every morning knowing deep down that what you are experiencing in your life is your dream? Or have you settled, are stuck and not living life in the way you desire? At the end of next year do you want to be living your impossible?
So many of us do what we think we should be doing. It may be because we can make money at it. Or it provides security of some type.
But what if we threw our own caution to the wind and changed everything? What could that look like? A new career? A change in lifestyle? A new place to live?
I believe in the impossible. What does it take? Conscious effort and a game plan.
Begin by creating a commitment with yourself – a contract that clearly defines your impossible future and the accountability you need to ensure you stay committed. Connect with what is really important to you.
Take time to explore and clarify your idea. What are your motives in making this change? How could your beliefs and values support achieving your impossible? How might they be holding you back? We create beliefs as a way of making sense of our world. Are these judgments still useful?
Next, work back from your impossible future. Think of all the steps you could take to get there. It helps if these steps are detailed. You may try brainstorming or creating a mind map to help you figure out what the steps could look like. Sharing your change process with a trusted friend can help you co-create ideas you may not have considered. Out of this should emerge a focus that can anchor your journey.
The steps can be turned into an action plan. What else might you need to support you? Is it commitment from a partner? Is it someone who can hold you accountable? Is there more research required? How can you catalyze your plan while keeping it realistic? Pull these ideas together and write down your plan in as concrete a way as possible.
Finally, keep your plan and your contract close by so you can revisit them regularly. Along the way, practice what it would feel like when you reach your impossible. Every step in your plan can be an opportunity for curiosity. Being mindful of your reactions as you reach each new step will help you become comfortable as well as offer any tweaking to your plan that may be needed.
Finally, commit to your plan. Only you can make the change you want to see. When we do everything the same then our results stay the same. If we change how we think and behave then our results will be different. Those thoughts and behaviors will lead you to your impossible future!
Are you ready to live your impossible?