Have you ever asked yourself "Why am I here". Paramahansa Yogananda believes it is very good karma to even ask this question. If you have asked yourself this question then you are contemplating your purpose.
One of my favorite teachers is Aadil Palkhivala who travels the world teaching. I went to one of his workshops and he talked about the '4 step process for why we exist' which I will try to give a very high-level description of.
1 = Life mission (purpose) Note: This is different then what I call a mission which is how you will accomplish your purpose (we will talk about that in 2 weeks)
2 = Acquisition of wealth
3 = Pursuit of pleasure
4 = Spirituality
Your life mission is most important and the other 3 will vary depending on this. Your life mission (purpose) is different than that for other people. If you are someone who's life mission is to care for others (lets say you have to work 10 hours a day to provide for family). Then your #2-4 will be different than that of someone who's life mission is to be a spiritual leader. For the first person they may require very little (if any) spirituality to fulfil their purpose and maybe more wealth.
Your challenge:
Write down what you think your purpose is. Even if you have done this in the past take a moment to re-evaluate because it may have changed. That's it.
What I'm working on:
I always say my purpose is to live in alignment with my vision and mission. My vision is "Success and well being for all who desire it". My vision is big and encompasses my personal and professional life. My mission is "To foster and encourage positive thought and action". Just because I strive for grand objectives does not mean I am perfect. Those that know me best know I can be angry, moody and judgemental. I'm sure they would even throw a few other words in. But I still want to work on improving myself each day. I had a friend say once that this is what she admired most about me. My flaws are why I strive each day to develop myself personally and why I try to support those around me.
Have a fantastic week and please share with us!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Week 6 - Results
I decided to throw this in and move forward with my planned challenges starting next week. Why? Because as I mentioned last week with Action you may or may not be getting results at this point. If you are then congratulations! Hopefully you are beginning to experience all of the benefits from your success.
The way we measure success is from results. You set out a course, follow it, and you get results. Sometimes the results are what you had hoped for and sometimes not. The unexpected results can be better then you imagined, or can fall short. My greatest desire is for you to get good, no great, results. When you do you will feel more confident and happier. Happiness and joy allow you to have a sense of well being which helps to keep you healthy. Only things that are in a state of imbalance are turbulent and destructive. We are creators.
THE CHALLENGE
Create a list of your results since you have started. Don't think any successes are too small. Any little thing that has come about from your work deserves credit including still reading this blog. My brother Dan is around Day 30 of quitting smoking. Talk about a success story!
WHAT I'M WORKING ON
I was in FL for 12 days to get the condo on the market. My list of tasks was long and some how I managed to stay with it. As I mentioned last week I also had the help of family and contractors and cannot thank them enough. We have a great Realtor and are getting a good response. Hopefully my hard work will pay off. Having a goal to sell a condo in FL in a down market can feel like a long-shot but that just made me work harder at making sure the place would sparkle. And we did some staging. No wires anywhere, the dining room table is set with pretty new dishes and napkins, silk flowers, etc. Now we wait...
I also heard from my Publisher. Surprisingly they did not ask me to change my title of Yen Path but did ask me to change the subtitle which will now be Taking Steps Towards What You Want In Life. They wanted it to be more descriptive. I'm okay with that.
My third goal of staying grounded and rested has been the biggest challenge but yesterday was very relaxing. Today will be too and tomorrow is my 50th birthday which I am actually looking forward to. I almost feel like my husband and I are moving into the phase of our lives that we were meant for. :)
Okay that's it for now so create your list and share your results with us. I'd love to hear from you.
All the best and Live Well!
The way we measure success is from results. You set out a course, follow it, and you get results. Sometimes the results are what you had hoped for and sometimes not. The unexpected results can be better then you imagined, or can fall short. My greatest desire is for you to get good, no great, results. When you do you will feel more confident and happier. Happiness and joy allow you to have a sense of well being which helps to keep you healthy. Only things that are in a state of imbalance are turbulent and destructive. We are creators.
THE CHALLENGE
Create a list of your results since you have started. Don't think any successes are too small. Any little thing that has come about from your work deserves credit including still reading this blog. My brother Dan is around Day 30 of quitting smoking. Talk about a success story!
WHAT I'M WORKING ON
I was in FL for 12 days to get the condo on the market. My list of tasks was long and some how I managed to stay with it. As I mentioned last week I also had the help of family and contractors and cannot thank them enough. We have a great Realtor and are getting a good response. Hopefully my hard work will pay off. Having a goal to sell a condo in FL in a down market can feel like a long-shot but that just made me work harder at making sure the place would sparkle. And we did some staging. No wires anywhere, the dining room table is set with pretty new dishes and napkins, silk flowers, etc. Now we wait...
I also heard from my Publisher. Surprisingly they did not ask me to change my title of Yen Path but did ask me to change the subtitle which will now be Taking Steps Towards What You Want In Life. They wanted it to be more descriptive. I'm okay with that.
My third goal of staying grounded and rested has been the biggest challenge but yesterday was very relaxing. Today will be too and tomorrow is my 50th birthday which I am actually looking forward to. I almost feel like my husband and I are moving into the phase of our lives that we were meant for. :)
Okay that's it for now so create your list and share your results with us. I'd love to hear from you.
All the best and Live Well!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Week 5 Challenge - Action!
Maybe by now; or in the near future; you will start to notice you are losing interest in your goal. Why does that happen? If its important enough to set a goal around then its probably worth striving for so this weeks challenge will provide tips to keep you moving.
Action is the key word. Whether you are actually doing something or preparing to do something counts. Maybe now is a time for reflection, gaining new insight, getting new information, saving money or making the space in your life for the goal. Again; it all counts so use that as a motivator and stay on track.
If you've read my book Four Steps to a Better Life you know that Action is the third step. Without action the first two steps would be a waste of time and step 4 would never happen. All you will have is regret if you put off important goals. If you want to purchase a copy of the book for $9.95 you can go to http://www.gallaghersolutions.com/book.html.
The Challenge:
Think of at least one thing you will promise to complete this week. Here are some ideas:
-Do you want to take some time to reflect? You can do this yourself or find someone you can talk to. Or journal. Schedule time with someone now or block off time to journal in the next few days.
-If you are not sure why you are not getting the results you want step back for a moment and consider a new approach. This may require gaining new insight or learning a new approach. Do some research or talk to other people that have been successful with a similar goal. It can really help. Continuing to do something the same way when you are not getting good results is a waste of time. For example; maybe you aren't meant to 'diet'. Maybe instead you should try eating only whole foods or getting more movement in your day. Maybe you need to play vs. exercise. Pick something to do and block off some time to do it. Note: The challenges in the next few weeks will help you to gain better clarity around your goal, and that will also help.
-Do you feel like something is missing? Find the resources you need whether its people, money, supplies, and so on. Don't struggle if you don't have to and you don't have to. Make this as easy as possible. If your goal was to start saving money but you are finding it hard work then think of little things you can do to reward yourself. Ask friends or family to acknowledge your good efforts. That may sound funny but people would love to tell you they are proud of you and that can help a lot. Or visualize what it is you want from your saving. You can even hang a picture to remind you. This may be a new car or a picture of a pile of money to remind you of your desired nest egg. This week find the picture or ask your friend or family member to acknowledge your effort.
Those are just a few ideas. Please post and share your ideas. We'd love to hear from you! FYI - I know this post is a little early but I will be away this weekend and wanted to make sure to get this out by Monday 7/19. If you want you can start now or wait. Have this challenge completed in one week from your start date.
What I'm working on:
I'm still in FL getting the condo ready to go on the market. One of my goals (and my husbands) is to sell our two condos and buy a home. I have a list a mile long of things to accomplish and I am chipping away at it. My family is amazing. My sister, nephew and his wife, Dad, Aunt and cousins have all been pitching in. When I do move my Mom has already offered to help and my sister-in-law Patty called yesterday to offer her assistance as well. My husband is back home working, taking care of the pets and getting that condo ready to go on the market. I cannot tell you how much it means to me that I have such a great support system.
Then yesterday I got an email from my husband telling me a new home went on the market in Sarasota that I may be interested in. I absolutely love this home and will drive the 3 hours to the west coast of FL this Friday to meet with the Realtor. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
My second goal (completing Yen Path: Awakening Your Heart's Desire) has already moved into the publishing phase. I got a publisher and the contract is signed. They have the manuscript and in a few weeks I will start working with their editor. The fact that I even got a publisher is still surreal. I'm thrilled and looking forward to the projected August 2011 release.
My third goal (staying grounded while I work on two big goals) is going okay. I haven't been getting much sleep which is not good for me but I've been happy and having fun with my family so that helps. This morning I went to a yoga class and used the elliptical and plan on having a clean diet this week.
So that's it for now. The Week 6 Challenge will be posted on or before 7/25 so you can start on it on 7/25 (which by the way will be my 50th birthday).
All the best and Live Well!
Action is the key word. Whether you are actually doing something or preparing to do something counts. Maybe now is a time for reflection, gaining new insight, getting new information, saving money or making the space in your life for the goal. Again; it all counts so use that as a motivator and stay on track.
If you've read my book Four Steps to a Better Life you know that Action is the third step. Without action the first two steps would be a waste of time and step 4 would never happen. All you will have is regret if you put off important goals. If you want to purchase a copy of the book for $9.95 you can go to http://www.gallaghersolutions.com/book.html.
The Challenge:
Think of at least one thing you will promise to complete this week. Here are some ideas:
-Do you want to take some time to reflect? You can do this yourself or find someone you can talk to. Or journal. Schedule time with someone now or block off time to journal in the next few days.
-If you are not sure why you are not getting the results you want step back for a moment and consider a new approach. This may require gaining new insight or learning a new approach. Do some research or talk to other people that have been successful with a similar goal. It can really help. Continuing to do something the same way when you are not getting good results is a waste of time. For example; maybe you aren't meant to 'diet'. Maybe instead you should try eating only whole foods or getting more movement in your day. Maybe you need to play vs. exercise. Pick something to do and block off some time to do it. Note: The challenges in the next few weeks will help you to gain better clarity around your goal, and that will also help.
-Do you feel like something is missing? Find the resources you need whether its people, money, supplies, and so on. Don't struggle if you don't have to and you don't have to. Make this as easy as possible. If your goal was to start saving money but you are finding it hard work then think of little things you can do to reward yourself. Ask friends or family to acknowledge your good efforts. That may sound funny but people would love to tell you they are proud of you and that can help a lot. Or visualize what it is you want from your saving. You can even hang a picture to remind you. This may be a new car or a picture of a pile of money to remind you of your desired nest egg. This week find the picture or ask your friend or family member to acknowledge your effort.
Those are just a few ideas. Please post and share your ideas. We'd love to hear from you! FYI - I know this post is a little early but I will be away this weekend and wanted to make sure to get this out by Monday 7/19. If you want you can start now or wait. Have this challenge completed in one week from your start date.
What I'm working on:
I'm still in FL getting the condo ready to go on the market. One of my goals (and my husbands) is to sell our two condos and buy a home. I have a list a mile long of things to accomplish and I am chipping away at it. My family is amazing. My sister, nephew and his wife, Dad, Aunt and cousins have all been pitching in. When I do move my Mom has already offered to help and my sister-in-law Patty called yesterday to offer her assistance as well. My husband is back home working, taking care of the pets and getting that condo ready to go on the market. I cannot tell you how much it means to me that I have such a great support system.
Then yesterday I got an email from my husband telling me a new home went on the market in Sarasota that I may be interested in. I absolutely love this home and will drive the 3 hours to the west coast of FL this Friday to meet with the Realtor. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
My second goal (completing Yen Path: Awakening Your Heart's Desire) has already moved into the publishing phase. I got a publisher and the contract is signed. They have the manuscript and in a few weeks I will start working with their editor. The fact that I even got a publisher is still surreal. I'm thrilled and looking forward to the projected August 2011 release.
My third goal (staying grounded while I work on two big goals) is going okay. I haven't been getting much sleep which is not good for me but I've been happy and having fun with my family so that helps. This morning I went to a yoga class and used the elliptical and plan on having a clean diet this week.
So that's it for now. The Week 6 Challenge will be posted on or before 7/25 so you can start on it on 7/25 (which by the way will be my 50th birthday).
All the best and Live Well!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Week 4 Challenge - Resolve
Hello.
It's funny that this week I wanted to talk about resolve. One of my goals for the 52Week Challenge is to sell the Florida condo and I arrived last night ready to accomplish a multitude of tasks. It will be close to a miracle to accomplish everything I want to but there are lots of hours in the day and I am ready for the challenge.
But when I walked into a very hot condo last night I realized I had a new to-do item. And as I sit here typing almost 24 hours later I am trying to relax and find my resolve. It would be easy to say "I'm hot and don't want to do any of this now". (Plus I also noticed two other things so my list is growing not shrinking).
How amazing that this is exactly what I wanted to talk about even before these things started happening. Sometimes when you get going with a goal you may feel like it is "2 steps forward and 1 step back". Resolve is a character I admire in people. It's that stick-to-it attitude. Throwing your arms in the air and giving up doesn't accomplish anything.
Frustration is to be expected. These are hurdles you can either leap over or find a creative way to get around. Don't succumb to frustration or fear (of success or failure). Be courageous and steadfast. I will paraphrase something I heard my brother Dan say the other day that I really admire. Sometimes its just standing up for what you want that is the win. Now that's resolve! That's the attitude that will move mountains and even if it doesn't you will look back and say "I showed up".
It's not just fear or frustration that can hold you back. It can also be something like guilt. Watch when you say "I should" or "I shouldn't". It usually means some guilt is sneaking in and that can pull you off track too. Stick with it! You can make adjustments as you navigate your way towards your goal; just don't give up.
The reason I wanted to talk about resolve now is because starting next week we will be getting into some challenges that will make you think a bit. Sometimes that can derail you all on its own. Let's get ready and toughen up a bit. Let's be confident and keep plugging away. You may even find it's kind of exciting.
The Challenge
Your challenge for this week is simple: Understand s*%# happens. And when it does breathe through it, shake it off, chill out, talk about it, write about it, laugh about it... You get the idea.
Have a great week and share with us by posting a comment.
It's funny that this week I wanted to talk about resolve. One of my goals for the 52Week Challenge is to sell the Florida condo and I arrived last night ready to accomplish a multitude of tasks. It will be close to a miracle to accomplish everything I want to but there are lots of hours in the day and I am ready for the challenge.
But when I walked into a very hot condo last night I realized I had a new to-do item. And as I sit here typing almost 24 hours later I am trying to relax and find my resolve. It would be easy to say "I'm hot and don't want to do any of this now". (Plus I also noticed two other things so my list is growing not shrinking).
How amazing that this is exactly what I wanted to talk about even before these things started happening. Sometimes when you get going with a goal you may feel like it is "2 steps forward and 1 step back". Resolve is a character I admire in people. It's that stick-to-it attitude. Throwing your arms in the air and giving up doesn't accomplish anything.
Frustration is to be expected. These are hurdles you can either leap over or find a creative way to get around. Don't succumb to frustration or fear (of success or failure). Be courageous and steadfast. I will paraphrase something I heard my brother Dan say the other day that I really admire. Sometimes its just standing up for what you want that is the win. Now that's resolve! That's the attitude that will move mountains and even if it doesn't you will look back and say "I showed up".
It's not just fear or frustration that can hold you back. It can also be something like guilt. Watch when you say "I should" or "I shouldn't". It usually means some guilt is sneaking in and that can pull you off track too. Stick with it! You can make adjustments as you navigate your way towards your goal; just don't give up.
The reason I wanted to talk about resolve now is because starting next week we will be getting into some challenges that will make you think a bit. Sometimes that can derail you all on its own. Let's get ready and toughen up a bit. Let's be confident and keep plugging away. You may even find it's kind of exciting.
The Challenge
Your challenge for this week is simple: Understand s*%# happens. And when it does breathe through it, shake it off, chill out, talk about it, write about it, laugh about it... You get the idea.
Have a great week and share with us by posting a comment.
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