In my last two posts I shared that a few years ago an interviewer asked me a big question, “If people want to reach their full potential, where would they start?” My reply was that there are three critical things to start with: knowing who you are, why you’re here, and what you want.

We’ve talked about who you are and why you’re here. So now it’s time to get clear about what you want.  If someone asked you what you really want in your life, would you be able to answer them?

Be Daring and Wild

Edie Galley, a wonderful friend who lives in Florida, posted this on Facebook a couple of weeks ago:

“When you clearly define what you want, no matter how daringly wild it may be, it is amazing how quickly it starts coming together in ways you would have never imagined possible”

When I read that, I got chills. She’s so right.  Nothing happens until we know what we want.  And once we do, once we’re really clear, all kinds of things start happening. Our path becomes clear. Doors open. Connections come into our lives.

Dream Big!

Here are a few ways to dream big, and to get in touch with what you really want. They are not original to me.   They’re tools I’ve collected along the way that you might find useful.

Be, Do, Have

For many years, I attended an annual retreat at Asilomar Conference Center on the ocean in Monterey Bay.  One year I was introduced to a wonderful exercise.  The speaker suggested we create a list of 100 things we’d like to be, do, and have.

I remember taking my notebook to a bluff overlooking the ocean.  I made three columns.

Be   Do   Have

And I filled in those lists with a stream of consciousness without editing or judging.

Although that was over 20 years ago, it’s an exercise I still do regularly.  When I’m “in the groove,” (not nearly as often as I’d like to be), I do it daily.  It keeps me focused on what I really want.

I’ll give you a few examples from my current lists to help you see the difference between the three:

Be: Joyful, wildly successful, loving, kind, creative, goal focused

Do: Speak to large audiences, write a best selling book, help more women by creating products I can share with them, make pottery, hike, learn to knit

Have: A cabin in the mountains, peace of mind, wonderful friendships, balance, abundant prosperity, clients who love me

Imagine that there are no limits, that money is not an object, that your past does not dictate your future, that all of your dreams can come true.  And then make your list.

In your deepest heart, in the whisperings of your soul, what do you truly want to be, do, and have?  Get it on paper—it’s the first step to creating those things in your life.

Ideal Day

This is the big daydream exercise. Imagine your perfect day. Imagine it in technicolor, with all the sights and sounds.  See it from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to sleep.  Where do you wake up?  What is your bedroom like?  Do you wake up alone or is someone with you? What do you do first?  Imagine your entire day, moment by moment in this way.  See it, feel it, smell it, taste it, marinate in it.

Once you have the picture of your ideal day, make yourself some notes. That makes it more tangible.

Turn Away from What You Don’t Want

Don’t put your attention on what you don’t want.  What we focus on appears. Keep your energy and attention focused on what you do want.

Do It Again

Don’t let this be a one time thing. Do your “be, do, have,” list frequently. You’re  impressing those things into your subconscious mind.  Remember Edie’s advice:

“When you clearly define what you want, no matter how daringly wild it may be, it is amazing how quickly it starts coming together in ways you would have never imagined possible”

Please share any useful techniques you’ve used in your own life to get clear about you want in the comments below.  And take a stand! Declare what you want!  Share it with us below and make it even more tangible!

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