“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
— Lao Tzu
Have you ever felt like an elephant making its way through a sea of marshmallow? I did! I went through life for quite a few years feeling like I was stuck, going nowhere. Worse, I felt like I was using my precious years and energy for things that did not really matter to me. Wrong career, wrong relationships and the list of wrongs went on.
My inner voice kept telling me that I had to make a change, that I was not in my lane. When I’d come across someone who seemed to have it all together, I’d sigh partially from the exhaustion of carrying my backpack full of self-pity, negativity and resignation and would wonder why they had been gifted with such ease and grace and why I seemed to have been left out.
Back then, I could not quite put my finger on it. These people seemed to project vibrant wellbeing from the inside to the out. I was almost magically attracted to their energy and just wanted to be around them.
What did they have and how did they get it? I learned that it was not by chance and that I too could acquire it. They have a personal GPS, a Goal Planning System and a MAP, a Measurable Action Plan.
When I learned how to get my own GPS and build my MAP, I started actively choosing the path for living my best life. Ever since then, I have put in place the elements that have me waking up excited in the morning and feeling grateful going to bed at night. It was a fun personal discovery journey to learn such things as defining my WHY, painting my ideal picture, owning my core values, and getting my MAP finalized.
Here is how I did it.
STEP 1: WHERE DO I WANT TO GO?
I started visualizing my best life, picturing what I wanted to experience in my life with my health, my relationships and the other areas that are important to me. I put my thoughts down on paper.
Next, I answered the following questions:
- Why do I want this?
- Why do I want to not miss doing this? (what do I fear if I don’t go for this?)
The resulting document increased my clarity and the urgency around my WHY. I would turn to it when I was being challenged in my resolve or when I would start feeling like I was wasting time again. I am so glad I took the first step. My life has been so much richer since then.
I firmly believe that we are given one opportunity at life and that we are born to lead a happy and fulfilling life. You too deserve to live your best life. There is no cavalry coming to save you from a less than fulfilling life. Take that first step by responding to these questions and see where it leads you.
Looking For More?
Claudine Fle is a unique and exceptionally gifted life coach who simplifies the change process. Her latest course Leadership Development details the process of positive change into specific and concrete steps.
