Beginning Your Journey of Self-Discovery

Columbus Day is about to descend upon us.  In 1937, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt declared each October 12 to commemorate the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. Since 1971, the day has been celebrated on the second Monday in October (which happens to coincide with the Canadian Thanksgiving). 

Columbus Day is the perfect time to take stock of your inner landscape and re-discover who you are.  Here are some ideas to start your own journey of discovery:

• The most important step is to find quiet time where you can listen to your own inner voice.  This means to find a quiet area with no distractions from the TV, family, pets, or anything else clamoring for your attention.  Find a comfortable place to sit, light a candle, or play instrumental music - anything that will put you in a relaxed frame of mind for the work you are about to do.
  
  
• The next step is equally important and that is to meditate.  By meditation I mean to quiet your mind of all the chatter that is running through it constantly.  If you have difficulty with this step, and a lot of us do, breathe in and out deeply and steadily to a count of 4 seconds - 4 seconds in and 4 seconds out.  The counting will help to quiet the mind.  Once you have reduced the chatter in your mind you are ready for the next step.
  
  
• Here's where we get to explore your inner landscape.  Now you are in the best position to ask yourself some powerful questions.  These are questions that are designed to make you stop and think about the answers.  Here are some questions to get started:

1. What do you really, really want?
2. For your life to be perfect what would have to change?
3. What do you want MORE of in your life?
4. What do you want LESS of in your life?
5. What would you try now if you knew you couldn't fail?

• After you have asked yourself each question take some time to listen for the answer.  The answer will come.  It always does when you listen.  If you are not hearing anything, be patient.  If you are truly not hearing anything, it is alright to skip the question and come back to it later.  It is possible that you may not be ready for the answer and that is OK, too.
  
  
  
• Once you have your answers, you have a choice whether to do anything about them or not.  Making a change can be scary.  That's only normal.  Think about Columbus.  He suspected the world was round but he had no proof.  He tried for many years to get funding so he could explore the seas.  Finally Queen Isabella of Spain gave him the financing so he could set off on his adventure.  I'm sure Columbus was very excited but I suspect he was also scared because this was a big change for him.
  
  Making a change in your life may not have the same magnitude as sailing off into the wild blue yonder but it is sure to be a great adventure.  Remember, every journey begins with one step and making the decision to change can be a good first one.
  
  
• Once you have decided to make a change, it's time to reflect on what is not quite right in your life.  You have an idea of what you want now from listening to your answers to the questions.  The next thing is to determine what you want to change.  For example, when you listened to your inner voice, you determined that what you really want to do is lose some weight.  When you reflect on your life right now, you realize that you are eating too much junk food and not moving enough.  The gap between where you are right now (eating too much junk food) and where you want to be (losing weight) is where a goal is set.
  
  
• When deciding on a goal it is best to stick to the SMART formula.  Goals should be:

1. Specific:  The goal should be specific and not general.  Ask yourself "Who", "What", "Where", "When", "Which", and "Why" questions.
2. Measurable:  Ask yourself how you will know when you have achieved your goal (e.g. when I have lost 20 lbs.).
3. Attainable:  The goal should be something that you can achieve easily even if you have to stretch out of your comfort zone to get it.
4. Realistic:  The goal must be something that you are willing and able to achieve even if you have to make a great effort to achieve it.
5. Timely:  You must set a timeline for the goal otherwise it won't motivate you to achieve it (e.g. I want to lose 20 lbs. by January 31, 2008)

• So now you have your goal.  Remember, it is very important to work on only one goal at a time.  It is crucial to write down your goal.  Plans that are written in our heads tend to never see the light of day.  Write them down! 
  
  
• Plan the 5 to 10 steps that you need to do to achieve your goals.  Set timelines for the steps.  Take time to measure your progress and adjust the steps if necessary.  There is a saying that goes "Life is a journey not a destination."  Enjoy the journey.  Celebrate each step toward achieving your goal.
  
  
• To help you on your journey toward achieving your goals, practice an attitude of gratitude.  Take the time to list the things you are grateful for.  See the abundance that surrounds you.  Count the blessings of family, friends, pets, nature, personal growth.  By keeping a positive attitude, you allow more good things to flow into your life and will achieve your goals faster and easier.
  
  
• Another helpful technique for achieving your goals is to journal.  Not only does this provide an outlet for your challenges and triumphs along your journey but it also documents the journey itself.  if you get discouraged about the progress you are making just look back over your entries and you can see that you ARE making progress.  It may not look like it because the change is so subtle, but changing you are.  As well, when you have achieved your goal you can look back and see how far you've come.  Congratulations!

So on this Columbus Day, I urge you to explore your inner landscape and begin your own voyage of self-discovery.  You owe it to yourself to be the best you can be.  It all begins with you.  Wonderful you!

Happy exploring!

For a free Goal Planner and directions on how to use it and follow through with it, contact me at jo@greenmountainlifecoach.com. 

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Please call me at 802 229-5256 or e-mail me at jo@greenmountainlifecoach.com for a free conditional consultation and experience coaching first hand and find out whether we are a match for each other.