Looking Back and reflecting on our lives can be a powerful and transformational experience. It wasn’t long ago that my 2004 Volkswagon Jetta was packed tightly and I was off moving to South Florida from my home town of Staten Island, New York. Over 2 years have passed since then, as I sit here writing on the back porch of my residence in Southern Califronia. “What have you learned in the last 5 years moving from place to place, city to city, region to region and opportunity to opportunity?”, one might ask. And the only thing that springs to mind is a saying I learned in my 12 step program: “No Matter where you go, there you are!”
Its important for us as people to look at ourselves from the outside in, take a deep breath and learn to reflect on what has been, whats to come, but most importantly be at peace with who we are and where we are presently. Over the years I have compiled some steps to take in order to reflect weekly, daily, and sometimes even hourly.
Step 1 Finding your Space
Whether a quiet corner somewhere or out in cyberspace on your personal blog. It is important to find some solitude. No I am not saying go out and become a hermit, distance yourself from society, or become a social reject. All I am saying is to find that place where you can escape to and do some soul searching regularly. Prayer and religion never worked for me. I am not going to say it doesnt work in general, as it works for many people. However, having a place to go in order to shut off, quite your mind, and get in touch with your higher self is something I am a strong believer in.
Step 2 Think Happy Thoughts
I love this clip. As a matter of fact, this is the first movie I have ever seen in a movie theater and I believe has given me the optimistic, positive view on life and opportunity that I possess. Now, of course you cannot just think happy thoughts and all of your dreams will just magically come true. Thats just not reality. However, if you are a believer in the Law of Attraction, you will know that positive thought combined with action will indeed get you the result you are seeking much faster! This movie had me believing this at a very early age. Your kids should watch it, and so should you!
Step 3 Dream
The next step for daily reflection is to Dream. Many people believe that dreaming is bad, as it involves no action. I disagree. I believe that successful people are the dreamers of the world. I remember getting my report cards from 1st grade all the way through to 7th grade, and they all had the same memo… “Arthur is really smart, but he is lost in the clouds daydreaming.”
So there you have it. I am a dreamer. But, I am also a doer. So if you are going to dream like me, then you may as well start dreaming big. Start designing the life you see yourself living, the car you see yourself driving, the house you see yourself living in, and the foundations you see yourself starting.
When I started my 12 week coaching program last year for Social Media, I made it mandatory that my clients go through an hour session with me called the “Backwards Blueprint.” It had nothing to do with internet marketing or Social Media. However, I feel that if you plan to be successful in anything you have to learn to escape your mundane reality and dream of what you will achieve so that you can plan, and take action on getting there. I had lots of fun with this and I experienced many people really breaking through their barriers, that they had created in their conditioning years by their peers, teachers, and family.
So if you are going to Dream. Do it for real. And do it on a massive Level!
**If you are wondering if you can take advantage and do a Backwards Blueprint yourself you can. Unfortunately, running a company does not give me the time and flexibility I used to have, so I have created a free guide to do it on your own. Simply apply for my newsletter, and you will receive it in your first week of the tips and insight I provide.
Step 4 Forgive Daily
Now this one is a really important one, and should not be taken lightly. I recently read the Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, and what I learned is that if you do not follow these principles, you will find yourself in a constant state of anger and resentment, which almost always leads to hate. I have experienced this many times in my personal life with my family and with my relationships. What I have found, though, is that if you follow some of these core principles and stay true to your core values, you will lead a much happier life. Step 4 is Forgive Daily. This means that you make peace with how others act, what they say and what they do and do not let it effect your lifestyle. I have heard it said that “holding a resentment is like peeing in your pants. Everyone can see it, but the only one who can feel it is you.” So follow these principles. They will serve you greatly in your Daily Reflection.
Step 5 Just Do It
The final step also happens to be Nike’s slogan. Just Do it. Dont think about it. Don’t pray on it. Don’t sleep on it. Just do it. Many people get into the bad habit of always being perfect and planning everything. Its time you stopped beating yourself up, and being so hard on yourself. Apply the 4 steps above and then just go out and do it.
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Music video by LMFAO performing I’m In Miami Trick. (C) 2009 Interscope Records
