Decisions, decisions. What is my vision for a perfectly wonderful life?
Briana owns a successful insurance agency. Her daily routine includes providing timely quotes, handling claims for accidents and catastrophes, and expediting policy changes. With the power of the internet and electronic processing of payments and claims, clients anticipate immediate answers. Frequently barraged by a continuous flow of texts, emails, and phone calls, Briana zones in on the next task, completes it and then just keeps on going.
When the phones, emails and electronic notifications seemed to calm to a silence one morning, Briana briefly felt stunned. “What to do next?” She was so familiar with the stress and hectic tempo of being in reactive mode, she lost her mojo how to be proactive with her long-term goals. In that moment, she decided to embrace a technique that worked in the past.
Goals and Gratitude. Briana made a list of her six most important goals. She briefly described the experiences and achievements that would add joy, fun and value to her life. She then made a quick Gratitude List to remind herself to nurture what she already loves about her life.
Briana typed the lists into the notes app of her phone, tucked a copy next to her driver’s license and printed a mini-poster to tape inside her vanity cabinet at home. Now her wants are easily identifiable and often clearly in view.
In the fast pace and high demand world of electronic communications, keep sight of what is most meaningful to you. Decisions are so much simpler when we remember what we want.
So, what do you want? Here are some fill-in-the-blank sentences to help you discover the answers.
I wouldn’t be tired if I ____________________________________________________.
I wouldn’t be angry if I could ______________________________________________.
I wouldn’t be frustrated if I allowed myself to ________________________________.
I am most relaxed when ____________________________________________________.
It’s easy for me to _________________________________________________________.
I feel creatively challenged when _____________________________________________.
I am excited whenever I get the chance to ______________________________________.
I have always wanted to travel to ______________________________ to experience ________________________________________________________________________.
I am intrigued by __________________________________________________________.
I always seem to have a good time when _______________________________________.
I have the most fun with _______________________ when we are __________________.
I admire that the competition _______________________________________.
If I didn’t feel vulnerable to office politics, I would___________________________.
If I didn’t feel obstructed from making a big move, I would _________________________.
A major achievement almost within my grasp is ________________________________.
A major achievement that would be incredible is __________________________________.
I am most proud of ________________________________________________________.
I feel very fortunate that ____________________________________________________.
Transform your answers into a Goals List and a Gratitude List. Use your Goals List and Gratitude List to focus on what means the most to you.
When you DECIDE to THRIVE, your days begin looking like your answers. If you answered making art, playing music, coding, designing, running at dawn or deep-sea diving, LIVE that LIFE. When we continuously nurture and care for ourselves, we thrive.
Big picture goals come into view with attention and focus. Be true to your core and do the things that you value and are valuable for you. When we take inspired action toward our goals, we thrive.
Thriving creates the momentum to attract the big bonuses, incredible opportunities and fun in life. Decide what you want and live that life to thrive.
This month’s column was written by Colette’s sister, Cathleen S. Pascale.
© Cathleen S. Pascale 2018
