Are you living your best life? Or are you still dreaming about a life that better suits your wants and needs. When I work with clients, whether it be one-on-one or in a group coaching program, the first thing I have them do is think about the life they want to create. I call these Future Self exercises. If you are wondering how to create the life you desire, you need to be really specific about what that life will look like. You have to know what you want before you can move into action.
Know What You Want
Before you move on with the rest of the tips in this article, I want you to concentrate on what you really want. I’ve created a very detailed workbook all about your future self. To download this free workbook, click here to order a copy of Discover Your Future Self. I’ll email you a free copy right away. Do the exercises when you are alone. Ask yourself the deep, meaningful questions. Open your mind to the possibilities. Be as specific as possible. That is the first step to create the life you desire.
Make Room In Your Life
Before you start working on your new life, get rid of anything that could interfere with it. When I have clients who want to lose weight, I tell them to clean out their refrigerator and pantry of any items that no longer align with their new way of eating. The space that is created can be filled with new healthy items to better serve them. You must do this with all aspects of your life. Get rid of any books or magazines that tell you that you are broken and need to be fixed. Replace them with inspiring content. Declutter your home of things you don’t use or need anymore. Ask yourself if they fit into your future life. If not, donate them, sell them, or throw them away. Make space in your environment for items that feel like your future. This is a very powerful step. Don’t skip it.
Set Uncomfortably Large Goals for Yourself
If your goals don’t scare you a little, they are not big enough. Once you know who you want to become, dream big. Think big. Go for the big prize. Your future self is counting on you to really go for it. She is cheering you on with lots of love. She knows you can do it. When you set big goals your life will change in dramatic ways. To create the life you desire you can’t play small.
Make a Plan
As French author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, once said, ” A dream without a plan is just a wish.” Don’t wish for a brilliant future, create it. Write down the things that need to happen for your dream to come true. Break those projects down into actionable items, put them on your calendar, and show up for your calendar every single day. If you need help with this step, watch my free webinar, Use Your Calendar To Change Your Life. It outlines the simple system I use to get things done that get me closer to my dreams. You need a good plan to create the life you desire.
Schedule Results, Not Actions
Be specific about what needs to happen. If you want to lose weight, don’t write down “make a healthy lunch.” instead write “eat a Niçoise salad” or you’ll be looking around at the last minute for something to eat. If you want to write a blog post, don’t just put on your calendar, “write blog post” or you’ll never get it done or you’ll take all day wondering what to write about. Write down specifically what you need to do. Don’t be vague. “Write 800-word blog post about calendaring.” That way you have a specific goal in mind and you’ll know when you’ve achieved it.
Show Up
You can buy the most beautiful planner or calendar in the world, but it you don’t show up for your daily tasks, nothing is going to change. How much do you want it? You need to want your new life so much that you will work for it every day. Don’t slack on your life. No one is going to create your dream life for you. Commit to making it happen. Successful people don’t make excuses or get distracted. They commit to achieving their goals no matter what.
Don’t Beat Yourself Up
It’s going to take time. You will make progress by trial and error. Learn from your mistakes and keep going. Don’t dwell on events in your past that may not have gone your way. The past is history. You are creating the future. Forgive yourself. Forgive whoever has done you wrong. Don’t get side-tracked by social media or what others appear to be doing. Stay focused on your dream and how you can create your future.
Be Honest With Yourself
What needs to change? Do you need to get away from some negative people in your life who are holding you back? Do you need to look in the mirror and have a reality check about who you really are? Change can be difficult. Being honest with yourself about what needs to change can feel like a punch in the gut. If you want to create your dream life, you need to realize that you will become a different person. That person will have different habits. That person will have different friends. That person may live in a different place. Don’t let the fear of change stop you from creating your dreams.
Make Time for Self-Care
While you are going through this process of change, you’ll be working hard, you’ll be putting in long hours. There will likely be stressful days. Remember to also schedule in time for your health check-ups, for exercise, to cook healthy meals, to rest, and to have fun. Put these things on your calendar just like you would any other task. No matter how busy you are, you have to make time to take care of yourself. If you don’t, then what is the point?
Be Open-Minded
Go out of your way to meet new people who aren’t like you. Do things that stretch your mind, like go to a museum or a concert. Seek out new genres in books and movies. You never know where the next brilliant idea will come from. Open yourself up to as many new experiences as possible. Gain fresh perspectives. Allow your creative juices to flow. Learn new things. Take classes. Read books. Gain skills that will help you in your professional and personal life. Click here to get 1 free month of Skillshare, an online learning platform where you can take thousands of classes on any topic. I’ve taken classes on design, photography, watercolor painting, business, social media strategy, and more. I also teach on Skillshare. That’s how I can offer you this free trial. You can cram in a lot of classes in 1 month. Take advantage of it. Why wouldn’t you? It’s free.
Have fun
You shouldn’t do anything that is not going to improve your life in some way. Learning how to create the life you desire is about loving your life. I talk a lot about creating La Dolce Vita, the sweet life, in whatever way that means to you. Have fun with it. Make enjoyable goals for yourself. Don’t put limits on your happiness. Create the life you crave.
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