Fytso

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Change Your Mind, Change the World

Walking Away-Good Exercise ;)

It takes discipline, courage and determination to set and work toward your goals.  So, what happens when you're in pursuit of a goal and all of the sudden you have that lightbulb moment accompanied by an overwhelming urge to change your mind.

(me having lightbulb moment under giant lamp)

Is it okay to bail?  What is the difference between quitting and changing your mind?

I struggle with this often.  There is no better feeling than having a plan mapped out and being able to recognize that you are on the right track to accomplishing what you set out to achieve.  Likewise, there are few things more frustrating than being halfway down the path and realizing the plan is taking you in a direction that is no longer where you want to go.  How do you know if quitting/redirecting is what will serve you best?

Look at the big picture.  Have other situations in your life changed?  Has pursuing this dream caused you sadness, stress, anxiety?  Does it have a negative impact on others in your life?  It's reasonable to accept that working toward anything worth having isn't going to be easy all of the time.  It isn't going to be fun at every moment and sacrifices are sure to be necessary, but if you take a step back and notice that what you are pursuing isn't serving you any longer, isn't filling you with positive energy and keeping you motivated and driven, then take a new direction.  It isn't quitting if you are redesigning your plan.  Think of it like this:  If you built a house 20 years ago, at the time it was probably state of the art, new mechanicals, modern design and decor.  However, if you haven't touched it in the past 20 years, today it probably looks dated.

(pastel couch, anyone? source)

The floor plan may not seem functional.  The mechanicals are in need of repair or replacement.  The furniture and window treatments may look like a sun-faded version of something chosen by Rainbow Brite.  Does that mean you should keep everything as is and live with it because that's what you wanted 20 years ago?  Should you toss a grenade in the window and head for the hills?  Mmmm'no.  But you can certainly redirect your plan.  Look at your options.  Renovate, remodel, sell and buy new.  If you can't afford it, even better!  You get to devise a plan to reach the goal to afford it.

(find the silver lining :) source)


At some point we all need to reevaluate and redirect our paths.  When I was 6 I wanted to be a cashier at Big Bear and a astronaut when I grew up.  Nothing wrong with that, but in pursuit of my dream, other ideas and adventures lead me in new directions.  When you know better, you should do better.  Take the time to look at your situation.  What about it serves you and make you an improved, more confident, more joyful version of yourself?  What exhausts you, frustrates you and drains you?  Is it possible to eliminate the latter?  If it can't be eliminated, can it be redesigned or improved?  If it can't be changed at all, can you change the way you look at it?

Schedule some time every few months to take inventory of how the different aspects of your life make you feel.   Then purge it, change it or change your perspective about it.  Please, please, please don't carry on and let it take the best of you.

(Namaste)

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