Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness, concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans; that the moment one commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. – Sir Edmund Hillary mountaineer, philanthropist.
What are you committed to? What are you doing to forward your mission? It doesn’t matter how big of a step you take; just take a step in the direction you want to go. Then take another step.
First you need to know where you want to go and be honest about where you are.
I know a woman who has convinced herself that her job is good enough, that she shouldn’t want more. She is grateful that she has a job that supports her lifestyle both in terms of time and money when many people don’t. But she wants to do something else, something she isn’t quite sure what, but she knows it’s there and gets excited when she lets herself dream about it.
This was not easy for her, b/c in her mind she has no business wanting more when she has so much. But with a little encouragement, she was able to dream and to begin to put her vision into words. What she realized is that she wants to work with people, that her father came home unhappy from work every day and that affected her family… she realized that helping organizations and the people in them have a balanced life would be more in line with what she wants and what she is good at, plus it would just be more fun.
It doesn’t matter that she finds her perfect job right away, but it does matter that she walks towards that. It can start out with allowing yourself to dream. To daydream, to imagine what it would be like to have that better, more fulfilling, life. Think about it, write about it, vision it, talk about it, make a vision board. Find ways to feel enthusiastic about your dream.
Maybe you’ll talk with someone who knows someone… or has an idea for you, or a lead or a job! Maybe you won’t, keep going anyway.
The idea is to stop looking out there for the perfect fit, and go inside, be honest with yourself – maybe your job is good enough, but it’s not exactly for you – So let yourself dream, and get excited about what is possible, what would be perfect for you. Make yourself magnetic by daydreaming about it with gusto. Take a step, make a commitment, a little bit every day. Because what do you have to lose?
