May Is Not Just For Flowers

What we all wait for is the spring to come to us full of beautiful flowers after a long cold winter. For those who live in the deep south, there is no waiting for what us northerners live through with the cold, windy, snowy winter where frigid weather keeps all things dormant. It is a wonderful time of the year when everything seems to come back to life. The black and white of winter leaves and the colors turn spring into a bouquet of flowers. Watching the small buds on a tree turn into leaves is spectacular and amazing.

Waiting for Life?
For some, the waiting for spring reflects more about their life than they would want to admit. The point is this; those who wait for May also may find that they wait for a new life to begin.

But, just like the process of starting new plants indoor ready to be planted with a head start in spring, so it is that you can prepare for new growth in your own life by not waiting until it comes forth on its own.

Do You Plant Your Own Seeds?
We all need to plant seeds in order to spring to life. Similarly, you can’t climb a mountain starting at the top. It takes preparation, tools, skills and a set path to follow one step at a time.

Sometimes a new beginning is forced on us without us being prepared for it. This happens when a business closes or downsizes and we find ourselves looking for a new job. And, sometimes, we may find ourself being transferred to a new city or another business location. And, then there are times when we are faced with challenges or issues with family that turn our world upside down.

Over the years, I have spoken with hundreds of people who desired to have a different life, a new beginning, whether that be a new career, a promotion, or a different lifestyle.

But they all had one thing in common. That common trait was that they did not plant seeds to begin again, or they did not know how to even begin the process. They all had wishes, but none seemed to have a way to make that wish come true. To quote Barbara Sher, “You must go after your wish. As soon as you start to pursue a dream, your life wakes up and everything has meaning.” Just wishing does nothing for your life, but when you actually commit to taking action to make that wish come true your life takes on new meaning.

Be Clear On Where You Are Going
Part of the process of beginning anew, or changing directions is to know where you want to go. I know this sounds simplistic and easy, but this is one of the most difficult of choices to make with clarity. They know they are not happy with their current circumstances but they just don’t know where to start to begin this change process.

It is similar to setting out on a sailboat but not knowing where you want to end up. If you don’t know where you are sailing to, you can easily end up where you don’t want to be. The same applies to setting your life sails – you need to be clear where you are going.

One of the first things you need to do if you really are sincere about changing your life, career or anything else for that matter, is to be open and honest with yourself in defining what it is that you want. You need to have a clear picture of where you want to end up; what your life would look like.

The first step you need to do is to sit down with a pen and paper in hand and write down your thoughts about what it is YOU want. Do not fall into the trap of thinking of what other people want for you – what is it that you dream about, that you have a passion for? What do you love to do, something that you have enthusiasm for.

Another way that some people approach this is to write a story about the life that they would like to have. Then go back and read the story and pick out the things that are the most important to you. You can break your story down into financial, career, relationships, and so on. The most important point is that you start writing. And as you write you will find that themes will emerge. Just like painting a picture, you start with a blank canvas and with a few strokes a picture starts to develop. Once the picture is in focus you start to work on the detail. The same is true for your story, once you get the storyline you can then work on the details; but the most important is to start, you can work on the details later, but first you need to get the big picture.

An Example
If you decide that you want a new career that fulfills you, that gives you satisfaction, where you can be appreciated, then your next step is to find out what skills are required.

The next step is to determine whether you have these skills, and if you don’t, how do you go about acquiring them. This may mean attending classes full-time, or part-time depending on your financial situation. Part-time studies may seem like a good option but be aware that this course of action will only work if you have perseverance and a burning desire to complete these studies.

Why? It is because part-time courses run over a number of years and the will to keep going despite knowing that your goal is down the road a few years is one of the biggest hurdles to overcome.

The Next Step
Once you determine what it is you want, pick one area and then develop the action plan of how you are going to achieve it. Just writing and thinking about it will not get you results. Take action. And the steps to getting you there may be baby steps but at least you are moving in the direction of what you want from life!

The Good News Is This
You can plant your seeds, nourish them, keep them warm, and reap the rewards of a new life only if you keep to your course and do not let any winds change your course.

Inspirational Quotes for Reflection:
“First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.” Napoleon Hill

“Everything begins from the mind, including change. So, if you want to alter your life, you have to start with your mindset.”Alexi Weaver

“Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” William Jennings Bryan

“When you’re prepared, you’re more confident. When you have a strategy, you’re more comfortable.” Fred Couples

“If you have ever felt such tremendous enthusiasm and desire for something that you would gladly spend all your waking hours working on it, that you would happily do without pay, then you have found your passion.”Sharon Cook and Graciela Sholander

“Success at anything requires two vital ingredients: enthusiasm and perseverance. Both can be helped by the broad view that looks beyond temporary difficulties and disappointments to a great goal.” Norman Vincent Peale

“To wish for changes in your life is no better than playing that long shot at the gaming table, the horse races, or the lottery pool. If you think that positive and needed changes in your life will happen this way then your chances to experience those changes are remote if not impossible.” Byron Pulsifer

“Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated and that creates momentum.” John C. Maxwell