Live With Intention: Become the Highest Version of You

You wish to make the most of this life. 

You desire to be the best version of your self. 

As a high-achieving woman you’re constantly striving for greater success. You seek to evolve, while applying what you’ve learned from your past to the present moment. 

You work hard – in your career, with your family, on your self. You intend to accomplish whatever you put your mind to. 

Yet when you’ve been highly driven throughout your life, it’s not unusual to begin experiencing a nagging feeling that something’s missing. Maybe you’re becoming aware that you can uplevel this current version of your self. 

So what needs to change? How do you know what will bring out the best in you? 

First, acknowledge that the highest version of your self is already within you. It is your most authentic self. 

How do you know what path will guide you to become the highest version of your self?

When you choose to live an intentional life, you align with your most authentic self and reveal the highest version of you. 

In my previous article, I explained how committing to a daily intention can boost your energy and drive. Today we illustrate how to harness lifelong energy and drive by living intentionally and becoming authentically you. 

When you've been highly driven throughout your life, it’s not unusual to begin experiencing a nagging feeling that something’s missing. Maybe you’re becoming aware that you can uplevel this current version of your self. Share on X

What is living an intentional life?

Living an intentional life means to be aware of your calling and make decisions that further it. You choose intentions that resonate with you and apply them to your life. 

Intentional living is about choosing what kind of person you want to be and then holding yourself to those criteria. It’s the opposite of living life by default, instead you deliberately choose actions based on intentions you’ve set. 

How to take action and evolve

Begin living intentionally by consciously reminding your self of who you want to become. You might be making a big change or merely a small shift in your life.

Intentional Living Guide

Intentional change could be:

    • Ethical – your philosophies, the way you view the world 
    • Financial – advancement in your career, improvement in your relationship with money
    • Personal – how you prioritize yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually  
    • Interrelational – personal relationships, how you show up socially

Your choices are what determine the direction of your life. Making a choice with intention will begin a powerful evolution to become the highest version of your self—the authentic you. 

Take a moment to envision this highest version of your self. Now hold that vision and begin to create intention around it. Here’s how…

5 Tips for creating powerful intentions

 

1.Identify your Values

Take the time to evaluate what is important to you. Then, prioritize and align actions that will best serve you. Identifying your values will help you make decisions based on your own moral compass. 

2. Find supporting habits

Choosing to live an intentional life is much simpler when your daily habits honor your intentions. Pick one or two effective actions that support the intention you have in mind. Repeat them daily so they become automatic with consistency. 

3. Control your impulses

Impulsive actions tend to lead us in the wrong direction, they’re not intentional. They are decisions that have not been carefully considered. When you’re feeling impulsive, take a moment to come back to your values. Take a breath, and evaluate your choices before taking action. 

4. Use role models

Who inspires you and why? Holding this vision of your evolved self will be more clear with a specific role model. Different role models serve me for different areas of my life. When I’m uncertain about my next choice, I’ll ask myself “What would my role model do?” Embodying their qualities will help you navigate your path. 

5. Evaluate your progress

Take a look at how far you’ve come! Yes, you want to be the highest version of you, and it’s a work in progress. Praise your accomplishments and learn from your mistakes. Self-evaluation will help refocus your intentions. 

Take time to review these 5 tips and apply them to your own life. Intentional living can transform your calling from dream to reality. To help you get started living an intentional life, click here to claim your FREE Guide: Evolve With Intention: Become the Highest Version of You. 

This gift will:

Intentional Living Guide

    • Offer awareness and clarity
    • Assist you with creating your intentions
    • Motivate you 
    • Help you accomplish your goals more easily
    • Boost your resiliency

 

Enjoy your journey to the highest version of your self—the most authentic you!

Evoke Energy Through Intention

Getting out of bed can be a challenge some days. Maybe your mattress is too inviting or maybe you just don’t have the impetus to get moving. But is this happening more often than you’d like?

Are you waking up most mornings thinking, ugh, do I really have to get up and face this day?

Take a moment right now and remember a morning when you couldn’t wait to begin your day. What was your motivation? Were you starting a new job? Traveling someplace new? What was your reason for jumping out of bed with energy and enthusiasm? 

Have you ever wondered what it would take to experience this excitement more often?  

Here’s how you can access this feeling through a simple daily intention. 

What is an intention?

An intention is a guiding principle for how you want to be in the world. Share on X

An intention is a guiding principle for how you want to be in the world. A clear intention will bring purpose to all areas of your life; it will guide you to pay attention to what’s important in work, family, faith, and more. Owning an intention will bring your head and heart into alignment.

When to use an intention

Your intention can be changed daily or used over an extended period of time. A daily intention will set the mood for your day. A long term intention will set the tone for who you want to become. However you choose to use intentions, they will help you align your actions with your goals.

Try not to confuse intentions with goal setting

An intention is the driving force behind the action, whereas a goal is the outcome of the action. You set an intention based on how you want to feel, the overall mindset you want to maintain with your actions. When you focus on your authentic purpose behind an action, your values are reflected through your intention.   

Intentions keep you in the present moment and are a reminder of how you want to show up in life.

Examples of intentions:

  • Finishing a project

If you’re like me, you probably have many projects on your plate. Sometimes a project becomes more of a chore, and you can’t wait to cross it off your list. When you set the intention to complete this type of project, you feel the sense of accomplishment this will evoke. 

  • Embracing change

It can be a challenge to start something new or shift your direction. That’s where your intention comes into play. Focus on how it will feel to have the outcome you desire and you will find yourself anticipating what’s next. 

  • Treating yourself with greater compassion

Successful, high-achieving women can have a tendency to be hard on themselves. I understand how that happens. You can transform this by setting an intention to notice when you’re beating yourself up or withholding self-care, and then taking steps to nurture yourself instead. 

  • Rebalancing your commitments 

Sometimes we need to reevaluate our priorities. Realizing this and setting an intention to change can provide greater fulfillment and re-energize you.

How an intention creates energy

Let’s revisit that memory of a day when you felt energetic and enthusiastic to start your day. Focus on what your intention was that morning. To experience something new? To spend extra time with a loved one? To make a new business connection? This intention is what sparked the motivation to pursue the action you were excited about. The intention created your focus and drive for the day. Finding the intention behind the action and continually nourishing it will lift your mental and physical energy.

3 ways to experience this energy of intention

  1. Being more focused

Maybe you’re a morning person and can’t wait to get up and start your routine. However, around midday you begin to feel sluggish. You can’t remember why you woke up so early and you’re ready for a nap. When you have an intention, you will have the dedication to remain focused on your goal. Be conscious of your intention(s) and you’ll be surprised by how your body responds. 

  1. Moving forward with greater ease

Having that initial reason to start your day can be a challenge. Setting intentions will encourage you to work on your goals. Since intentions are based on your values, the intention will align with the energy you want to put out in the world. No matter how big or small the intention is, it will ignite a fire to carry this plan out!

  1. Enjoying increased happiness

Your mood can wane throughout the day, yet when you set an intention, you remain more uplifted. Having an intention that aligns with your core values can set an overall tone for a happier, more fulfilling day. 

Quick tips to build energy with your intention

  • Focus on one of your core values
  • Journal
  • Repeat affirmations aloud

If it’s energy you need in the morning, it can be as simple as setting an intention. By creating an intention that is aligned with your values, you increase your drive and focus. 

Affirmations can help you set an intention for your day. So, claim your free gift of 20 of My Favorite Affirmations.

Use these affirmations to:

  • Realign your thoughts with your deepest desires
  • Motivate and energize yourself
  • Cultivate positive energy to accomplish more
  • Transform limiting beliefs into limitless opportunities
  • Live your life to the fullest

Click here now to claim your free gift of 20 of My Favorite Affirmations. Then select an affirmation that resonates with you and your intention. Say this affirmation aloud and notice how you remain focused on your intention.

May your intentions evoke new energy in your life!

Visualization For Greater Clarity: Aligning with Your True Desires

There is a lot of talk these days about visualizing your dream life and manifesting your goals. But what does this mean? 

And what if you’ve already achieved the life you sought?  

You have the career, the car, the home, the relationship… What more do you need? Keep reading for the answer to this question.

There is more to life than the evident things. And I learned this the hard way… through experience. So now, maybe I can save you some time on your own journey. 

There is more to life than the evident things. And I learned this the hard way… through experience. So now, maybe I can save you some time on your own journey. Share on X

When I was growing up, my Father was absent most of the time. His lack of availability was the impetus for me to seek perfection, so I could receive the attention I desired. I became an overachiever, hoping that achieving success would prove my worthiness to everyone… especially my father. This led me into an extremely unhealthy cycle of burnout because my true desires were clouded by my feelings of “not good enough”.

However, because I was goal-oriented, I made it a practice to visualize myself at the height of success. All my visions did come to fruition. I got the car, the career, the home, and even the relationship (for a time). Yet even though I had acquired the things I’d visualized, there was a void in my life.

I’d been so busy pursuing what I thought I wanted, that it took me almost ten years to become conscious of what was missing. It never occurred to me to visualize a life that included purpose, meaning and joy. 

Does this story bring up anything for you? Do you feel that there could be more to life, and that maybe there’s a piece missing for you? 

If you’re asking yourself the question ‘what’s missing in my life?’ it might be time to look closer at the power of visualization for greater clarity and to manifest your true desires. 

So, let’s start with what visualization means, how it leads to manifestation, and how to use visualization and manifestation for greater clarity and fulfillment.  

What is visualization?

Visualization is the practice of creating a mental picture of the things or experiences that you want. This could be anything from a new bike to a new job. The image you create in your mind is the visual representation of the thing you desire.  

How visualization leads to manifestation 

Our thoughts, like everything, are made up of energy. When you visualize, you are building the energy of that thought. Whatever energetic vibration you put out into the universe will return back to you in kind. Therefore, the energy you’re generating in your mind is being sent out into the universe and manifesting what you want. This is the universal law of attraction. By understanding how this law works you can harness the incredible power of your own mental energy to manifest what you desire in your life. 

How to use visualization and manifestation for greater clarity and fulfillment

Visualization can be such a powerful tool. It can help you harness your subconscious mind to tap into your greatest desires. Many of us, including myself, have experienced just how powerful it can be. When focusing on visualizing, you will receive a more clear picture for the things you really desire — deeper than material things. 

Things such as:

  • Finding your purpose or meaning in life
  • Increased happiness and joy
  • More abundance
  • Fulfillment

Visualization can improve clarity on life’s essentials; purpose, meaning, and joy. Rather than purely the evident things in life; careers, lifestyle, and material things. And this could mean a big change in how you experience your life!

As I mentioned in my own personal experience earlier, sometimes visualization and manifestation can come from an unconscious place. We set goals that are not aligned with our true desires to please others, or to gain unhealthy ambition towards goals that don’t align with what we really crave. 

For this reason, generating a clear vision is a powerful skill you’ll want to master. 

Here’s how to create a clear vision:

> Prepare

Get yourself situated in a location that allows you to feel safe and comfortable. 

  1. Close your eyes
  2. Ignore any outside distractions
  3. Focus on your breath
  4. Pay attention to the thoughts that are passing through your mind
  5. Pay attention to any feelings or emotions that come up

Once your mind and body are at ease and focused on your inner thoughts and emotions it will be easier to focus all your energy on the thoughts you’d like to visualize.

> Be open

Visualization requires flexibility so you’re able to encompass all possibilities. Allow yourself to openly acknowledge what you crave most in life. How can you adapt your lifestyle to obtain these desires? Maybe it won’t be a tangible goal, but you must be open to the possibilities in order to receive the outcome you want. 

> Create a mental picture

Create a mental picture of the life you want, and be specific about how you’re feeling in that vision. Imagine what you’re doing, what you’re wearing, and who you’re with. Yet most importantly, how do you feel at that moment? Do you feel loved? Or accomplished? What feeling do you have when you are in this life you’re envisioning? 

Spend 5-10 minutes a day creating and fully experiencing this mental picture. Truly embody the mental picture as if you are already there and you are already experiencing that moment. Watch the embodiment of this mental picture become more clear as time goes on. 

> Write it down

Writing down what you’re visualizing, and your thoughts around it, can help create more clarity about what you want. This process can provoke more feelings that you may not have noticed initially. It also makes the step by step process more clear. Writing and journaling can be important when it comes to visualization.

> Take note of what got you to this point

Yes, it is important to think of the end goal yet don’t forget about your past successes. Reflect on the steps you’ve taken so far to get to where you are today. How have they helped bring you here? 

What is the next small step you could take to bring you closer to achieving your new vision? It may not be something you want to do at this moment yet think about how it will benefit you in the bigger picture. What can you do today that will build your tomorrow?

Apply these visualization tips for clarity

These tips can help you create a clear picture of the life you want. Take your time when applying these new skills. Breathe. And feel into all the emotions that come up when connecting with your vision. Making visualization a regular practice will bring greater clarity and connect you with what you really want in life. When you apply these tips to your visualization/manifestation practice, along with taking the actions set forth to achieve your visions, you can manifest a life filled with your greatest desires. 

For an even deeper understanding of visualization, click here to claim your FREE Visualization Guide: 8 Steps to Realizing the Life You Desire

This guide will:

  • Assist you to clarify your true desires
  • Inspire and motivate you to accomplish your greatest aspirations 
  • Teach you how to create the reality you crave
  • Help you achieve your wildest dreams
  • Enable you to manifest the changes you want in your life

Happy visualizing and manifesting! I hope your deepest desires are found through the clarity you receive from visualization.

Finding Greater Mental Clarity… The Busy Woman’s Way

Do you ever find yourself asking…

What’s the big deal about mental clarity? 

Why would I even want to look for it?

I used to wonder about this myself. Then I looked at all the amazing benefits that come with mental clarity. For example:

  • Decreased mental chatter
  • Increased focus and direction
  • Greater organization
  • Ease in decision-making
  • Increased ability to prioritize
  • More energy

Yes, I did say that mental clarity gives you more energy!

How does it do that?

It allows you to become more aware of:

  1. Who you are.
  2. Why you are here.
  3. Who you are serving.
  4. What you need to be doing. 

What does all this mean for you?

Once you learn how to gain and maintain mental clarity, navigating life becomes easier. Because as you are aware of who you are, why you’re here, and who you choose to serve, you will know what you need to be doing. And although you still need to take action, having clarity allows you to move forward with greater ease. Things just begin to flow into place.

Having mental clarity allows you to move forward through your life with greater ease. Share on X

How to gain and maintain greater mental clarity

Mental clarity can be found through various modalities and daily practices. Today, we’ll address the practice of meditation. Meditation can be described simply as, ‘the act of breathing and observing.’ 

You may already know that a regular daily meditation practice has many benefits:

  • Easing your busy mental chatter
  • Decreasing stress
  • Gaining self-awareness
  • Reducing negative emotions 
  • Finding new perspectives

Yet, you’re probably also thinking that regardless of its benefits, meditation still takes time. And if you’re looking for greater mental clarity but don’t have time for a regular daily meditation practice, you’re not alone.Today’s woman is already juggling multiple pursuits. So, with your full plate and busy schedule, devoting time to meditation may not seem practical. 

As a busy high-achiever, I completely understand that adding yet another thing to your day – even if it does ease mental chatter and create greater clarity – could feel like an inconvenience or stressor. I can also honestly say that I used to struggle with finding the time for a regular daily meditation practice. Then I learned that I could receive all the same benefits from a brief meditation break as well.

How to find mental clarity without a daily meditation practice

It may surprise you when I say that meditation can be more subtle than you think. You don’t need to have a regular daily meditation practice to boost your mindfulness and mental clarity. There are ways to access clarity and self-awareness and receive the benefits of a regular meditation practice in just a few minutes or less with a simple, mini-meditation.

First, I will share how to overcome the major obstacle keeping you from finding greater mental clarity through meditation. Then we’ll look at how you can deepen the practice to receive the most benefits. 

Afterward, I will give tips that helped me adopt the art of mini-meditation and provide you with a free gift to remind you of these simple yet effective practices.

Finding the time to achieve greater clarity

The major obstacle to choosing what to do during our day is a perceived lack of time. With work, appointments, and commitments, even just a few minutes may seem impossible to find within your busy schedule. Here are some ideas for how you can claim the lost moments throughout your hectic day: 

 1. During your commute 

Look forward to red lights and traffic jams, as they can be a reminder to breathe. If your commute consists of buses, trains, or subways, consider yourself lucky to have the opportunity to use these moments to focus on your breath.  

2. Between bites 

You’re already eating lunch, take the time to breathe in between bites.

3. Use commercial breaks 

While you relax and watch your evening program, use the commercial breaks as a time to meditate.

4. While waiting 

When you find yourself waiting in line for the bank, the grocery store, the doctor’s office, or anywhere else, use that time to meditate. 

5. In between tasks 

When you finish a meeting, appointment, or an item from your to-do list, take a moment to breathe and find clarity before starting something new. 

Now that you’ve found a few moments of time, you can make the most of those brief moments and enjoy your mini-meditation.  

How to make the most of your mini-meditation

1. Focus on your breath

Take a deep breath in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth. Pay attention to the inhale and exhale. What can you smell as you take in the breath? Cooking aromas? Nature? Tune into where the breath is residing in your body.

2. Scan your body 

What can you feel? What is your body touching? Search for tension within your body. If possible, give yourself a light massage to any areas with tension.

3. Observe your thoughts 

Notice the thoughts that are passing through your mind. Try not to label anything good or bad, right or wrong. Reserve your judgment and just notice. 

4. Embrace your feelings 

Acknowledge how you feel right now. Remind yourself that these feelings are only temporary, part of the present moment.

5. Hold a touchstone 

Many religions use beads to count prayers. This might help you with focus as well. If you wear a bracelet, have pocket change, or a charm, try holding the item in the palm of your hand. It will trigger your mind to come back to the present. This is called a touchstone.

Apply this mini-meditation to your daily routine  

If you’re looking to increase mental clarity and mindfulness through meditation but don’t have the time to devote to regular daily practice, I hope these suggestions help you find more peace throughout your day and bring you closer to the mental clarity you desire.

You don’t need to master a daily meditation practice to be a master of your own self-awareness and clarity. Simply consider taking a few moments for yourself in between your commitments. 

For more tips on how to increase mental clarity and self-awareness, click here and claim your FREE Tip Sheet: Practical Advice for Greater Clarity & Presence. 

Use this gift and:

  • Alleviate chronic stress and negative emotions.
  • Receive simple daily habits for greater clarity.
  • Access useful self-awareness tools.
  • Discover easy techniques for mini-meditation. 
  • Experience greater mindfulness.

Comment below with your favorite way to find clarity through mini-meditation. 

Success Without Sacrifice: The High-Achieving Woman’s First Step to a More Fulfilled Life 

Maybe you’ve been living the American dream. You have an attentive spouse, a nice house and car, two kids, a membership at the country club, and yet you’re strangely dissatisfied.

The American dream looks great from the outside, and yet what if you don’t have the time or the energy to enjoy it?  

That’s what happened to me. I was living my version of the American dream. I was successful, I created results, I’d accumulated a lot, I loved the thrill of the challenge… and I was wired to do whatever it takes. I had a PhD in all that. And I still do.

However, over time, the methodology that I had used for success began to break down and fall apart. It started to impact my emotional and physical health until I reached a point of diminishing returns, in my satisfaction and my inner fulfillment. The effort required to continue getting the same level of results had increased, and I had to make choices about what I really wanted. 

I no longer had the energy to do it all. 

If you’re one of those women who has that ‘I’ll do whatever it takes’ attitude, you may be using the approach that I used to create your success. And, you may be: 

  1. Noticing that it’s just getting harder to create the same results, so it’s taking more and more of a toll on you. Or 
  2. Close to burning out and you don’t even know it. Or 
  3. Burned out, and now as you recuperate, you’re realizing that life has to have more meaning to it… that it can no longer be substantially about creating results. 

If you’re in any of those three places that I just described, then – most likely – you’ll want to know the first step I took in order to find more meaning and fulfillment in my life. This initial step led me to design and implement a new life methodology, which allowed me to heal and still create the level of results I desire without giving up my identity. 

Click the image to get your free gift!

Now, it’s likely that you’ve never given the idea of a life methodology much thought. It’s not as if it gets mentioned in school, and your parents probably never broached the subject. Yet, my methodology has afforded me the opportunity to experience greater purpose, fulfillment, and physical well-being. And it all started with that very first step, which I will now share with you…

It’s self-reflection.

Unfortunately, self-reflection seems to be a dying art. People either feel they don’t have the time or that it’s a waste of time. Others are afraid to take a good, long, hard look at themselves and their past actions. Yet, as I shared above, there’s so much to be gained by examining yourself and your past. Here’s how…

Mastering self-reflection to achieve greater fulfillment and success:

1.Educate yourself

While this is a personal journey, that doesn’t mean it has to be solitary. Rather than starting completely from scratch, take a look at the people you know who have the kind of life that you admire most. Ask how they approach life. You might find something that resonates with you. 

2. Ask yourself how you got to this point

You already have a set of beliefs regarding what is valuable in life. Who taught those beliefs to you? Did you pick them up from your parents? Friends? Movies? Teachers? Books? How was your current approach to life established?

3. Determine what you want your life to be about

Will your life be about money and success? Altruism? Adventure? Family? Personal development? What matters to you?

What do you think is most important? Can you be happy with that decision? For example, you might believe that family should be the most important thing. Yet, who do you consider family? What’s your definition of family?

Many philosophers argue that there is no inherent meaning to life, which is just a fancy way of saying that you can choose the meaning of life for yourself and be just as correct as anyone else.

4. Start at the end

Imagine that you’ve lived a long life and you’re reaching the end. What kind of life do you want to look back on? What sorts of things do you want to have learned, achieved, and experienced? How do you want to be remembered? With the end in mind, how do you need to live today to reach that ideal ending?

5. Bounce your ideas off others

Find like-minded people and discuss your thoughts. When you’re open and share your ideas, you might gain an insight that makes all the difference. Feel free to tweak and experiment with what you find.

6. Give it a try

Once you’ve found a way of looking at the world that appeals to you, take it for a test-ride. See if it suits you. Have patience while you’re on this journey. It may take time to become completely satisfied with your new viewpoint.

Self-Reflection allows you to notice the detrimental patterns in your life. This is a tremendous power, because you can use this knowledge to design a more effective path through life. 

When you learn about yourself, you become a more powerful version of yourself. Through self-reflection, you can redefine your life, choosing for yourself what is most important. Then, rather than pursuing the standard path to success, you create your own. 

Since you’re going to work diligently at whatever approach you take to be successful, it only makes sense to spend that time and effort to create what’s most meaningful to you. So, sit down each day or once a week and apply some self-reflection. Consider all the different areas of your life: relationships, finances, work, health, and so on. I believe you’ll be happy with the results.

When you use reflective thinking, you enhance your life. So, just imagine being more enlivened when you get out of bed each morning.

When you learn about yourself, you become a more powerful version of yourself. Share on X

To find greater meaning and purpose into your life, click here and claim your FREE gift, Success Without Sacrifice: Your Guide to Living A More Fulfilled Life

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This gift will:

  • Allow you to use the tool of self-reflection to your best advantage.
  • Provide additional direction for your journey to a more fulfilled life. 
  • Invite you to continue to explore what is most important to you. 
  • Give you the opportunity to find a more effective path to success.

Click here now to claim your free gift: Success Without Sacrifice: Your Guide to Living A More Fulfilled Life.

The Power of Contemplation: 10 Ways to Harness Greater Peace and Joy

There’s a time for work, a time for play, and a time for contemplation. Contemplation is defined as deep reflective thought or the action of looking thoughtfully at something for a long time. 

Unlike the practices of mindfulness or meditation, you don’t lose yourself in the experience. When you engage in contemplation, you are thinking about an experience in words or thoughts. Contemplation is an exercise of reflection on, rather than presence with, or absorption in, an experience.

The primary advantage humans have over animals is our ability to contemplate. In doing so, we learn about ourselves, our lives, and our situation. 

According to Psychology Today, “From the Greek philosopher Plato to the Buddha to modern psychology forefathers William James and Wilhelm Wundt, the value of contemplation as a means of fostering well-being and wisdom has been known for a long time.”

I only wish somebody had told me. As a Type-A overachiever, there was a time when I had no awareness that there were benefits to pausing and contemplating — on myself, my life, or my business. I believed that if I wasn’t moving forward, I was “wasting” time. I now know better, and I’d like to share what I have learned with you.

The 3 main benefits that are realized from contemplation

1.You learn about yourself 

Most people are shockingly low in self-awareness – like I was. Some believe they are too busy, while others prefer to distract themselves rather than invest time in contemplation.

There’s much to be learned by taking a few minutes daily to reflect on your day and the choices you made. It can help you to face your fears or redefine your life. When you know yourself, you can make better plans that utilize your strengths, avoid your weaknesses, and enhance your life.

When you know yourself, you can make better plans that utilize your strengths, avoid your weaknesses, and enhance your life. Share on X

2. You learn from your past

If you look at the biggest mistakes you’ve made in your life, you’ll find they’re surprisingly similar. Contemplation allows you to notice the negative patterns in your life. You may have spent money you couldn’t afford, become involved with someone you shouldn’t, or made poor decisions to get away from stressful situations.

If you’ve never taken the time to review these mistakes, you’ve probably repeated them. Reflecting on the past helps you identify what works and use it to your advantage.

3. You take intelligent and thoughtful action 

When you’re action-oriented, you may believe – like I did – that contemplation is a “waste” of time. Yet before jumping in with both feet, it can be incredibly helpful to spend some time thinking and strategizing. Reflect on what you actually want to accomplish for yourself.

And even if you have an idea where you want to go, you may want to consider regular reflection to ensure that you remain on the path toward success. When you’re on the right path, you’ll find greater peace and joy in your life.

An essential tool for change

Contemplation can be incredibly rewarding, because you can use your experiences and knowledge to discover a more effective path through life. You can learn about yourself, solve challenges, and become a more powerful version of yourself. 

Contemplation can be a potent tool for change. You can choose to get different results in your life. All it takes is a little directed thinking each day to clear your mind, relax, and find that peace and joy you crave.

10 Strategies for applying the power of contemplation in your life 

1.Make contemplation a priority 

If you’re anything like me, you’re a busy person. You won’t spend time contemplating on a regular basis unless you make it a priority. So, decide that you’re going to spend some time each day reflecting. You can learn a lot if you take the time to examine your life on a regular basis.

2. Plan the time and purpose

You most likely have a specific time for meals, going to bed, or watching TV. So, it’s important to choose a specific time for contemplation, too. Because, if you don’t plan contemplation into your day, it probably won’t happen. 

Also, before you begin, plan how you’re going to use your reflection time. Otherwise, you may find yourself staring out the window and daydreaming.

3. Examine your day 

Ask yourself: What went well today? What brought me joy? What am I grateful for? What didn’t go according to plan and how can I receive it as a gift? What did I learn today? How do I want to move forward based on what I learned today? What specific actions do I want to take? What will bring me greater joy?

4. Examine your challenges 

Ask yourself: What are the challenges in my life? Do I view them as problems or opportunities? How can I shift my mindset so I see problems as opportunities instead? What led me to this point? How are these challenges impacting my life? 

5. Reflect on how to move forward 

Ask yourself: What are some possible action steps I can take to address the challenges in my life? What can I do right now? How can I move forward with a joyful outlook? Rather than distract yourself from your challenges, see them as opportunities you can choose to engage with more joyfully.

6. Search for answers 

Maybe you’re not sure why you’re so insecure in your romantic relationships. Perhaps you have unresolved issues from your childhood. Why do you spend too much money? This can be a great use of your contemplation time. When you focus your attention on a specific question, you’re more likely to find the answer you need.

7. Use affirmations 

Write a list of affirmations that embrace what you want to achieve and what you want to become in your life.

Write them in present tense, because It is important to focus on the things that are occurring now that will lead to your future success. And be sure to use the word “I” throughout the list. For example, “I am always good at my job.”

You may hear words in your head such as, “But you messed this up the other day” or “You weren’t as productive a few days ago.” If you are hearing things like this, then banish those negative thoughts. It can take some time to get used to positive thinking, but it’ll be time well-spent.

Repeating your affirmations aloud will enable you to reprogram your mind with positive thoughts. 

8. Relax 

Take a few minutes and catch your breath. If you have a busy life, it’s important to rest your body and mind each day. A little time alone can be better than a therapist.

9. Write and reflect 

Purchase a journal and write in that journal every single day. Each day, first write down something positive that occurred that day. Next, write down a question for yourself. Don’t answer that question then and there. Reflect on that question and write your answer the next day as a part of your journal entry.

10. Visualize creatively 

This is a fun way to self-reflect! Make yourself a box to show your hopes and dreams. Or you can create a vision board. Place pictures and words that represent you and your thoughts into your box or on your board. The more details you include, the better it works! Imagination is the key… and the sky’s the limit!

Your guide to the past and present

Life isn’t only about going to work, watching TV, spending time with family, and chasing your goals. When you practice reflection and introspection you can live a more peaceful life and continue to grow each day. Even just 15 minutes a day can make a big difference. 

Use your contemplation time however you like. You might reflect on your childhood or the meaning of life, review the last year, plan the future, or consider your spirituality. You could even practice your ability to focus. It’s your time to use as you like.

Contemplation is a useful tool that’s free to learn and apply. Imagine being able to leverage your strengths, minimize your weaknesses, and avoid repeating your mistakes. A session of reflection each day will help you become the best version of yourself. And over time, contemplation can enable you to achieve the peace and joy you deserve.  

Contemplate that.

And for additional ways to increase your joy, click here and claim your FREE gift, Happiness 101: A Modern Guide to a More Joyful Life. 

This gift will:

  • Allow you to use the tool of contemplation to your best advantage.
  • Provide additional direction in your journey to a more joyful life. 
  • Invite you to explore the things that give you joy. 
  • Give you the opportunity to experience joy with greater ease.

Click here now to claim your free gift: Happiness 101: A Modern Guide to a More Joyful Life

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