DAY 3: Wisdom of Vision: Crafting Your Goals

Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and heroes, was often portrayed with an owl companion—her wisdom guide.

To me, it is astounding that owls can see through the blackest of nights.Using owl wisdom allows you to see through confusion and into the heart of desire, and to act with deftness and clarity.
Now that you've had a day to ponder your professional dreams, it’s time to take a look at those dreams and the questions you have about achieving your vision.

When I look at my list of dreams, I like to think as the owl, seeing into my deeper truth, and focus on the heart of my vision. As I reflect on my thoughts about each, I take earnest pause for each --- which are fears or outdated beliefs, which are—simply—fantasies. And most importantly, which are the ones that I am ready to honor, no matter what.

Let's take a moment and write your 'dreams' as goals.

A quick note—a goal can be seen through the lens of a camera. It is measurable and specific. Here are my professional goals for 2009 and thoughts I had about them.

***You may be tempted to skip this step, but please don't. It is the foundation of manifesting what you want. In this instant soup culture, it is hard to put things aside and give your Self and your dream the attention they deserve. For those of you with the day off, settle in with a cup of tea. For those of you off to work, do so when you have time this evening, or at lunch. ***

Listing Your Professional Goals (or committed desires if this works better for you) & Thoughts:

Here are examples of mine:

Goal: Be easy & strong in all that I do. Enjoy the process!

Goal: To double my work with progressive leaders of non-profits, organizations and individuals wanting a personal, creative approach to business—with on-site retreats, keynotes and coaching. Travel abroad.

Goal: Partner with leading community resources in new, exciting ways... artful visioning, tele-seminars.

Goal: Produce on-line products that provide new visioning and outreach tool for organizations, schools and individuals who want a personal, community-based approach to business.
Goal: Get people to realize that the linear approach to business is not the only 'way'!

Listing my thoughts:

Thoughts: What will I need to let go of to do this? The second goal is still vague.

Where to focus my attention first? How to navigate all the issues regarding economic fears?

Thoughts: Time seems to slip through my fingers like water. What support do I need? Who can help me do all this without it taking a lot of time to explain?

Thoughts: I've love having more time to work on my projects; now I need to find a system of support.

More thoughts: my mantra: Easy & Strong—how to keep this present?


Now it’s your turn. You may find yourself rewriting your goals and thoughts. So get ready to scribble a bit.

What are your dreams, written as goals?

What thoughts come up for you?

Hmmmm...what would Owl say?

DAY 2: What Do You Really Want?

This week I had a chat with a dear friend. She was reading a self help book, and diligently doing the exercises to find out what she’s really passionate about. Here’s what’s interesting. I’ve known this woman for five years and every time we meet, she lights up when she talks about her classes & her craft.

So, I said, “Sue, I’m a bit confused. I’ve heard you tell me dozens of times what you really love. Am I mistaken ... but I thought that's what you really wanted?”

Her response: “No. That is what I really love! But if I can’t have this, I want find out what I else I can have. As we talked more, it became clear. By trying to imagine a safe second choice, before she's fully pursued her true passion, her dream felt hollow and, well not worth pursuing.

Within minutes, she said "You're right! Ever since the first class I taught, I knew this is what I wanted. But I'm stuck. I know my beliefs are getting in my way. Plus, everyone is suggesting I do production work and that just doesn't align with my values."

I’ve yet to meet anyone who doesn’t have a dream. But I continually meet people very much like Sue, who either struggle with their beliefs or don’t have a structure to succeed … or both.

Today, right now-- write your dream -- you know, the one that you try to keep tamped down, but won't be silenced. Write it down as the ‘camera’ would see it. Remember, it might be personal or professional.

As you write, note all the thoughts that come up as you think about it.

EXAMPLE: Dream 1:
Dream: To facilitate groups of college students confused about their career.
Thoughts: I believe there is no money for this work .
Thoughts: I love teens... they are our future.
Thoughts: Every time I work with teens, I get tons of emails from them and their parents, I love it more and more.

EXAMPLE: Dream 2:
Dream: To work with people in career transition to hone their focus. Thoughts: Do I need to go back to school?. Thoughts: People really need to have a clear focus in these times, I love helping people focus. Thoughts: My colleagues always say that they get so much from our conversations ... I'd love to make a living at it?

And the 30 day journey begins.
What are 5 dreams you have that won't be dismissed... no matter how hard you try? Remember to include your thoughts about them.

As you go about your day you might find you have more thoughts. Success begin by getting real with yourself and your dream, so don't be surprised if you find yourself mulling over your thoughts today.

After you write your 5 step back and ask yourself, what do they have in common? You might even ask a couple of friends.

DAY 1: Create Your Ideal Job/Vocation

One day, I received a call about coaching. After a few minutes of introductions and questions the woman said, “Carolyn, I’ve heard about people creating their own dream career. How do they do that? Can I do that? Today she is celebrating her new job and reclaiming delight in her work.

We are living in a time when organizations and small business are changing so fast that that if you are able to see what is truly needed, and ready to speak up and say so, incredible opportunities await your asking.

So yes, you can create your dream career or dream business. And, there are a few things you will need to consider AND do to achieve your vision and accomplish your goals. I thought that the best way to offer tips and tools would be to offer a snap shot of her four month self-discovery and dream job creation search.

First, she took a TAKE A CANDID SELF INVENTORY
This first phase had two parts; a personal inventory and interviews of others about her.

She began by asking herself questions designed to help her name and frame her core life dreams. We identified times when she had experienced them (and how she felt when she did). We also identified the phases when life distractions overtook her dreams and what occurred as a result.

In the second part, she interviewed ‘key’ people who gave her candid, thoughtful, insight about her core strengths and personal impact. Through these interviews she gained a greater understanding of her personal contribution. .

Throughout the process, again and again, we pushed her to DARE TO DREAM.

As she began to reclaim her desires, she started collecting job descriptions that inspired her. Even on days when she went through her self doubts, she had a literal file, an external reminder, of contribution people were actually making in the world that aligned with her self purpose.

As we begin our journey, toward your dream career I'll invite you to do the same!

With each step, she’d review her core vision. Selectively, she would pursue ONLY the positions that affirmed her intention for her new career. As the interviews turned into negotiations it was critical that she went back to the origins of her work, to reclaim her dream and remember what she needed to feel fulfilled.

And so it shall be with you...

For today ...

Think about a time in your life you felt alive and 'in charge'

What were you doing?

What part of you came to life?