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LIVING BY DESIGN NEWSLETTER
by Leslie Karen Sann, MA, LCPC
V3, #11
September 18, 2003
IN THIS ISSUE
Focus
on What You Want
Quotes
Practically Speaking
Wonder Questions
FOCUS
ON WHAT YOU WANT
LIVING
BY DESIGN
(Part 6)
(This article is a continuation in a series
about the creative process.)
Setting goals is uniquely human. As humans we can
consider the future, make choices, and move in the direction we wish. In
doing so we get to be a creative force in our lives.
Let's have some fun. Try this on. Tell yourself
"Don't look at the floor." Notice what happens. What do you want
to do? You probably want to look at the floor. Even though you told
yourself not to look, your attention is called to the floor.
Did you know that energy follows thought? We move
toward where we place our attention. Just like when we ride a bicycle.
Look to the right and the bike will move in that direction. I've fallen
off my bike at least once because of that phenomena.
Now try this on. Tell yourself, "Look up."
Notice what happens. What do you want to do? You probably want to look up.
What we focus on we call toward us, or we move
toward. It's really very simple.
Writing down goals, positively framed, in the
present tense, is a powerful tool. Goals stated in this way assist you in
generating the desired outcome. Focus on what you want.
I often hear someone say their goal is something
they don't want. For example, "I don't want to be shy anymore."
Not shy means what? Does it mean assertive, bold, willing,
participating????
I don't want to be shy is like saying I don't want
to look at the floor. What we end up focusing on is being shy. The
statement gives no alternative direction. If I don't want to be shy, what
do I want? If I don't want to look at the floor, where do I want to look.
Where do I want to go? What do I want to create? We want our language to
be as descriptive as possible
When languaging your goals, ask yourself: "What
outcome/result do I want to produce?" "If I didn't have this
problem, what would it look like?" "What would wild success look
like?"
Language is powerful. Powerful enough to create
reality. State your goals so they call you into action. Give yourself
direction with your words.
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QUOTES:
"Everything's in the mind. That's where it
all starts. Knowing what you want is the first step toward getting
it."
~ Mae West ~
"Vision without action is a daydream. Action
without vision is a nightmare."
~ Japanese Proverb ~
"What you focus on you will create more
of."
~ John-Roger ~
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PRACTICALLY SPEAKING:
- State your goals in terms of what you envision
the successful outcome to be. What do I want to create? What is my
successful outcome?
- State your goals in the present tense, with the
focus on completion. For example: My office is organized and ordered
and I can easily find everything I am looking for. (versus: My office
is no longer a mess.)
- Let yourself write it down EXACTLY the way you
WANT it to be....no limitations, no restrictions.
- Focus on what the ideal outcome is . . . NOT what
it takes to get there.
- Be as descriptive as possible.
- Empower your statements by adding enriching
qualifiers such as enjoying, gratefully, joyfully, etc.
- Include essence as well as form. (e.g., form =
job as a CPA. essence = productive, satisfying, work that I enjoy).
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WONDER QUESTIONS:
- What do you want?
- If you were living your life and loving it, what
would
you be experiencing?
- Are you willing to take responsibility for
creating
what you want?
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COPYRIGHT/CONTACT INFO/REPRINT PERMISSION
c Copyright 2003 by Leslie Karen Sann, Living by Design
Visit this link for contact information:
leslie@living-bydesign.com
Reprint permission granted in part or whole when the following credit appears in full:
Copyright 2003 by Leslie Karen Sann,
Living by Design.All rights reserved.
Web site. http://www.living-bydesign.com
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