Do you want to transform your life?
4 steps to taking the journey within and building the life you want
Do you remember that question you were always asked as a young child: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”.
Some of us know the answer to that question from the very beginning, we stick to that path, and we live out our dream. Most of us stumble around a bit trying to figure that out as we move through the years. Many of us end up in careers and lives that don’t really satisfy us and then in midlife start asking ourselves those deep questions like “How did I get here?” and “What’s my purpose in life?”.
If you’re one of those people who has struggled to figure out their place in the world, I’ve got good news for you - it is entirely possible to transform your life no matter how old you are or what your situation is.
Why do I sound so confident about that? Because I’ve been on that path myself. Like everyone, I’ve had lots of ups and downs in life, and lots of challenges and learning experiences. I’ve spent my entire adulthood trying to figure out what it is I really want to do with my life. I’ve had some really good experiences and some not so great ones. I’ve been fortunate enough to have many wonderful mentors and people in my life who are supportive.
Finally, this past year (in the middle of a pandemic!), I feel like I found my path. It’s called life coaching. Last fall I signed up for Martha Beck’s Wayfinder Life Coach Training and was so excited this past week when I finally completed all of the requirements to get my certification. I also completed a yoga psychology certification (Yoga.Psyche.Soul) this summer and that, combined with my previous training in psychotherapy and mindbody therapy, enables me to offer coaching from a unique mind/body perspective. My clients have been delightful so far and I’m looking forward to continuing the journey.
Do you want to begin to transform an area of your life? Whether it’s a new career, volunteer opportunity, or any new endeavour, if you’re ready to give it a try here are the four basic steps to get you started.
4 Steps to Transform Your Life
Inspiration/Ideas/Dreams
How do you start? I recommend getting out your journal and start brainstorming ideas. Keep a little notepad with you during the day and whenever you have a thought, jot it down. Write down your nighttime dreams. Make a creative vision board. Try asking yourself the following questions:
What did you like to do when you were a young child? What were your hobbies and interests?
When you have free time, what is it you like to do? What is it about that activity that you like so much?
If you knew this was going to be your last day on earth, what is it you would want to do?
If money were not a concern, what would you want to do to contribute your skills and gifts to the world?
Education/Learning
Are there any courses you can take, YouTube videos you can watch, books you can read, websites you can research, or people in your life you can ask about any of your ideas? Learn what you can about the area of interest you have chosen. There are many free resources and courses online in addition to formal education. Ditch the words “I don’t know how” or “I don’t know where to start”. Yes you do!
Integration/Embodiment Practices
This is my favourite part. Integration involves embodying all the ideas and learning you’ve come up with. Spend time meditating about your ideas. In my coach training we learned a practice called the Body Compass which helps you tune into your body. Move through a slow mindful yoga practice and notice how your body feels. Go for walks in nature. Exercise and stretch. Continue writing in your journal. It’s important to integrate body and mind in this process. Don’t just keep it all in the mind; get your body involved too.
Application - Do it!
Now that you’ve come up with the ideas, learned more about yourself and those ideas, and spent time embodying those ideas, it’s time to put those ideas into action. Here’s a quote from one of my business mentors:
“Clarity comes from engagement, not thought”
Marie Forleo
If you want to become super clear on your goals, it’s important to start doing something, not just thinking about it. Start before you’re ready and do something small towards your goal every day.
This is a process and these steps take time but it’s well worth the effort. They’re all interconnected and reliant on each other. You may go back and forth as you come up with more ideas, learn more, and embody your dreams. You will encounter stumbling blocks and your own limiting beliefs along the way. Talk about your ideas with a trusted friend or hire a life coach. Always remember that your essential self, that part deep down inside of you, knows what you really want.
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I’d love to hear from you so please send any comments or questions to me at sharon@sharonashtonmindfulyoga.com. Feel free to share this email with anyone else who may be interested.
For an audio version of this week’s blog, please check out my podcast here:
Are you interested in life change & mindset coaching? If you are interested in exploring new ways to bring joy into your world and live your best life, please email me to set up a complimentary 30 minute coaching session/discovery call at sharon@sharonashtonmindulyoga.com or visit my website coaching page.
"I felt at complete ease with Sharon from our first conversation. She has a wonderful, gentle but firm way that made me focus on my thoughts / feelings so I could remove / change to move forward with a completely different feeling to what felt like obstacles. It was great having regular coaching that gently kept me accountable to actioning and moving towards my goals. Sharon has vast experience in so many areas, I felt that makes her an amazing coach.”
— Michelle Carney, East Galway, Ireland
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