Life can change in a moment
The recent tragic events involving
the shooting of two sisters in the Henley on Thames area, both in their
twenties has touched the hearts of many of us. An expectation that our lives
will be long and fulfilling reminds us that life can change in a moment.
We hear a lot about living in the
present - what does that actually mean? Many people live a large percentage of
their life dwelling on the past or worrying about the future - or what I call
the "when I get to …" land. When I buy the house, finish
university, earn a better salary and so forth. We are programmed to strive for
bigger and better things, but often miss the excitement, fun and adventure that
lives in "today". The ratio should be ideally 10% reminiscing about
the wonderful times from the past, and 10% loosely planning an amazing future.
The remaining 80% should rest firmly and squarely in the day that we are in.
Are you putting joy on your daily to-do list?
Did you think that at 20 years old
you would be doing what you are doing now? What did you think you would do? The
things that worried you this time last year - did they happen?
If you could look at your life a
year from now - what would it look like? Would you be living in the same house,
or living abroad? A stone lighter in weight, or would you have changed jobs or
trained in a new career? A huge amount can be achieved in year. What stops us
getting where we want to go, or is it because we are unsure of where we are
heading?
I am reminded of the line that
says "everything we ever want is on the other side of fear". The key
is to find what motivates you, what makes your heart sing. We all need
something to feel enthusiastic about. It really doesn't matter what it is. In
America they did a study of 100 university students who had become
millionaires. They discovered that only one student was doing a job he hated
while earning over the million mark. He was a lawyer and had followed in his
father's footsteps. The remainder were all working in fields that excited and
motivated them.
Action for the Week - for
those unhappy in their working life - take a blank sheet of paper, sit down in
a quiet place and write down your ideal day. What would it look like, what
would you be doing? Can you see yourself working outside, in an office, alone
or part of a team? Try to think creatively - don't get sidetracked by thinking
how you couldn't do it because of financial constraints. For those who may feel
stuck with this exercise, think back to what you thought you might do when you
were a child, or what are the things that you love to do in your spare time.
Remember that the group of 100 millionaires were all working in fields they
felt passionate about. If you can identify a new career you would love to spend
time doing you will naturally absorb information more quickly and effectively.
We may not all wish to aspire to the wealth of Richard Branson, but he is an
example of someone who started selling records out of the back of his
van.
Copyright © Julie Lambert
July 2004. Published Henley Standard newspaper, August 13th, 2004
For information on Julie's 3
month coaching course email info@julielambert.net |
