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"Regain Your Confidence, Reclaim Your Life">
Life Transformation Tips
April 1, 2010
My daughter recently bought her son a science kit that consisted of a round mesh cage and five little, rather unattractive, black caterpillars. Placed in the bottom of the cage the tiny caterpillars quickly began their climbing ascent to the top of the container where they firmly attached themselves and began to spin their cocoons. After several days of rather impatient waiting, on the part of my ever curious grandson, the cocoons began shake and wiggle, almost violently, until the small vessels cracked and the seemingly brand-new creatures fought to release themselves.
What emerged was so unlike the original beings that it was hard to believe these beautiful, brightly-colored, winged creatures were ever little black creepy crawlies. An incredible transformation had taken place. Unlike butterflies we can't just curl up and wait for change to occur in our life. However, like the caterpillar, with a little action and perseverance we too can make major life transformations. So as we transition into a brand new year I want to share some of my favorite tips for making a successful transformation journey in any area of life you choose.
1. Decide on Your Destination
In order to get where you want to be you have to know what you want. Grab a pen and paper and write down your goal. Be specific in what you want and why you want it. Knowing your why will give you the strength you need to persevere when the going gets tough and thoughts of giving up begin playing on your mind. It also allows you to know if it is truly something you want, or something you're doing to please someone else. When you take the time to set a very specific intention you will know instinctively what steps you need to take to get you to your desired destination.
2. Take the Scenic Route
Catch the vision. Or rather, create the vision. Competitive athletes and dancers both use visualization to help them get a vivid image of the end results they want - the winning goal they want to score, or the big finale performance they need to perfect. We've all heard of The Laws of Attraction and the theory that what we think about we bring about, and nothing could be more true. But it has also been shown that the more vivid and detailed our visual of that end result is, the more likely we are to be successful at achieving it.
3. Hire a Navigator
Whether it's a friend, or acquaintance, who has already succeeded in meeting a similar goal, a teacher who is teaching a class that will increase your skill set in your goal area, or a coach or counselor who has been enlisted specifically for this journey, having a guide, an encourager, a supporter, a cheerleader, an accountability point person will make the journey smoother and quicker than trying to travel it alone. Accountability is key to getting and staying on track.
4. Create Your Roadmap
In order to reach any destination you need to map out what route you will take to get there. In the case of goal achievement it's about mapping out what steps or actions, and in what order, will get you where you want to be. Again, be specific in laying out each of those actions, because each mini-step moves you a little closer to your final destination.
5. Fill the Tank
Just like you won't get far if you don't put gas in the tank of your car, you can't expect to move forward on your transformation if you don't fuel yourself with positive self-talk, upbeat interactions, and motivating words. What are you filling your mind with? Who are you surrounding yourself with? Stay motivated to take action using positive affirmations and encouraging self-talk, and by surrounding yourself with people who will support and cheer you on every step of the way.
6. Put Your Foot on the Accelerator
You've set your goal, created a vision of what you want, and surrounded yourself with people who will support you in getting there, but now comes the most important step. It's time to take massive focused action. Until you take that first step you go nowhere. Start by taking the first step and you'll find that your momentum increases exponentially with each consecutive step. Now take another step, and another. Don't stop and don't look back. Just stay in motion and keep rolling forward.
7. Navigate Roadblocks
There are roadblocks on every journey. So plan ahead and be prepared to obliterate the obstacles and adjust your course when necessary. If you play Devil's Advocate before you even begin your journey, listing obstacles and saboteurs that may crop up along the way, and then brainstorm ways to deal with those obstacles, or ways you can adjust your course when things get rough, then you will be better equipped to deal with, or navigate through, them and arrive successfully at your end destination.
8. Keep Your Eye on the Destination
All journeys have to be taken one step, or one day, at a time, but in order to stay focused and achieve all that you want to achieve you can't lose sight of where you are going, or what you want. Post your goal in places you will frequently see it. Make a vision board with words and pictures that symbolize your goal. State your goal out loud every day. Journal on what steps you are taking each day to move you toward your goal. It will give you a manifesto of your experience, and be a daily reminder of your ongoing accomplishments and progress.
Most importantly, stay open and believe in your ability to accomplish anything you focus on. I believe in you. Believe in yourself.
This article written by:Viki Stanley-Hutchison
Professional Life & Business Coach
Owner of Life Transitions for Women in Cambridge, Ohio
http://www.lifetransitionsforwomen.com
MomTV.com Talk Show Host of A. M. Coffee Break
Creator of Our Transformation ning site
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