Manifest the reality you’ve always wanted.
Many of us have toyed with the idea of changing it up. Life seems to be getting repetitive, leaving you unfulfilled and in search of more. Whatever the reason, and whatever you are seeking, chances are you have found yourself wanting to get after it, but instead are suppressing the thought and never really taking action.
I’ve been in this industry for too long, I can’t leave now.
I have a family to think about.
I don’t even know where to start.
These are just a few of the things we tell ourselves to justify remaining where we are. The common theme amongst those examples is simply a limiting belief in yourself and what you are capable of.
Think about it, taking even one step out of that comfort zone you are currently living in could be your demise. Scary stuff, right? But think, just for a second, what it would be like if you did make the change and it ended up working out. Imagine what your life would look like, what your spouse and kids’ lives would look like. You can say “easier said than done” all you want, but that is exactly where it starts.
You cannot change without first changing your mind.
Be Intentional
I want you to answer the question below out loud and instantly. Don’t give it any second thought and don’t be shy.
Is what you are currently doing directly aligned with what you want for your future self?
If you are in hopes of making a career change, are you flying out the door in the morning or are you up three hours early taking some training courses to prep you for that change? If you want to have more time with your kids, are you answering emails when you get home from work? Evaluating yourself on this foundational level — where our habits are sewn into our spirits — will give you the most accurate diagnostic of where you are versus where you want to be.
It is imperative you acknowledge where you are and where you and your goals strive for you to be. I am not saying anything new here, but it is something worth reminding you of. Be intentional in your efforts to change- don’t just be.
Be Ignorant
You don’t have to know everything before you get started. Really, all that is needed is a willingness to continuously learn and grow. By acknowledging your ignorance, you can (and most likely will) open yourself up to relationships and connections you would have otherwise unintentionally (or even intentionally?) closed off.
Put another way, by knowing you need a helping hand out of the gate you will be much more willing to make that phone call or send that email to someone who has achieved success in this new world you are entering. And hey, who knows what comes from that chat?
Breathe
One major component of my success in unchartered waters is simply: breathing. Take a few deep breaths and really home in on your inhales and exhales when you hear that negative thought creeping around the corner of your mind or when the stress of the transition begins to take hold.
Breathe all the way in, from your diaphragm all the way to the top of your chest, opening your chest as you inhale. Exhale everything until you are completely winded. Do this a few times and focus on bringing as much air in as possible.
To take it a step further, you can practice this breathing technique every single day. I do it every single morning for approximately 10 minutes before I begin my day. Not only does it calm me, but it also helps me get laser focused on my mantra and the one step I will take toward my goal that day.
Take One Step Every Day
One thing I tell myself each and every morning after my breathing exercises is that I will move one step closer to my goals today. I say it out loud so that the universe can hold me accountable. By saying it out loud it also gets my gears turning to assess where I am at and where I need to go. This then allows me to compartmentalize the process and create an actionable list to execute that day, that hour, that minute and that second to ensure I am taking that one step.
This might work for you, it might not. I am simply telling you what works for me and has worked for many before me. At its core, the principal that is created here is consistent forward movement.
An object in motion stays in motion. — Sir Isaac Newton
Soon enough, the compound effect will take hold and you won’t believe how far you have come. Take that step. Every. Single. Day.
Originally published at medium.com