New Year, New Practice
I believe in saying things out loud as a method of making them true. Manifesting. A buzz word in this age of social media and the THOUSANDS of influencers who are telling us how to live our best life. But the thing is, I know it works. I’ve experienced it in my own life. I don’t think it’s magic. I think it’s a combination of determination, dedication, and fear of embarrassment. Announcing our truth to the world means (if we want to remain people of integrity) we also have to announce our failures. The fire this possibility lights under me is motivation like no other.
Throughout 2022 I consumed a lot of business seminars that focused on goals and how by giving ourselves permission to be “selfish” we open the door to manifesting that “selfishness” into reality.
I put “selfishness” in quotes because it’s a misnomer. Striving for something that is greater than yourself is not selfish. Ambition is admirable and goals that pull your focus from where society thinks you should be looking are labelled selfish only because they stir jealousy in those that aren’t ready to take the first step.
In 2016 I decided to put myself first. This doesn’t mean I neglected my children or my marriage or my job; it means I made intentional adjustments to how I designated my time and I made sure my goal of that period (to write a book) was served by every other choice I made.
Seeing how those choices allowed me to produce award-nominated fiction propelled me forward in a cycle of declaration to manifestation. Yes, there were failures along the way, but there were also a lot of wins.
This year, I am adopting a new practice of goal-setting that includes ten things that need to happen in order for me to be the woman I want to be in ten years. I have constructed my list in a way that includes personal and career-related goals.
Every single item on my list is “selfish” and a beautiful reflection of my direction.
Every single item on my list is written in the present tense as if it is already my truth in order to readjust my thought-pattern into believing it.
Every single item on my list serves my ultimate vision for my life.
Every single item on my list will take a lot of effort and focus in order to achieve/maintain, but by sharing it publicly, I believe I unlock the magic of those three motivators: determination, dedication, and fear of embarrassment.
My list is personal. The only person who stands to be hurt by my giving up is me. I am the architect of my destiny and with grit and tenacity I will see these ten things become my truth.
I am debt free.
I take at least one big trip a year.
I own my own car.
I have a pair of John Fluevog shoes.
I own a literary hub that is the heartbeat of my business.
I employ a team of people who hold my vision and values as if they are their own.
I am a prolific and award-winning writer.
I say no to things that don’t serve me.
I do not allow clutter to bring chaos to my sanctuary.
I am an extraordinary wife and mother who sets an example of grace, loyalty, and exceptional work ethic.
By the time I am living this list, I hope we’re enjoying a world that isn’t afraid of a woman who wants big things. And I don’t even think the things I want are big—though they are huge in so many ways.
Every morning, I will open my journal and I write down this list. The old adage says that if we do something for thirty days it becomes a habit. I’m saying, if I do something for ten years, it becomes my truth.
Do you ever reflect on what you want for your future? I think it’s an important practice to regularly step back and look ahead; to honestly take inventory of the choices you’re making and ask if they serve the you of tomorrow. And if they don’t? Maybe it’s time to reevaluate your priorities.
Trust me. I’m speaking to myself just as sternly as I’m speaking to anyone who feels this resonating with them.
If you’d like to join me on this ten things journalling adventure, I’d love if you used the comment section and shared just one thing that’s on your list. And if writing a book just happens to be one of your big goals and you want a little support along the way, today is the perfect time to take a first step and explore my author mentorship program. It could be the very thing you need to get closer to the ten year you. 💛
Disclaimer: the idea for the list of ten things came from a book I’ve been reading from a successful business woman who built an empire from the ground up. Normally I would share the title and author of the book; however, it was brought to my attention that there is a lot of controversy surrounding the author and I do not want to perpetuate the campaign of a person who has shown questionable character and a lack of integrity even if there is just a chance these claims are true. If you would like to know the name of this book, please reach out privately through my contact page.
