Getting on the Right Track
As children we are asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Teacher.
Fireman.
Nurse.
Police Officer.
Doctor.
Our answers reflect the world around us and our limited experiences with the people in our lives.
When I graduated from high school, I went to college to be an elementary school teacher. I loved being a student. I enjoyed school and admired my teachers. School was my comfort zone.
My mom encouraged me to be a teacher. In her experience, my schedule as a teacher would make it easier to be a working mother.
This was all very logical and sounded good to me. I didn’t really have to make any decisions. I just went with the flow.
(kind, clueless, 17-year-old me)
In the short term, this plan worked beautifully. Until it derailed spectacularly.
I struggled to maintain this future vision. I struggled to find joy and satisfaction in teaching. I struggled through infertility treatments to become pregnant.
Every time I tried to get my train back on track, something pushed me off the rails.
After years of struggle, I stopped fighting against the invisible force that wanted change. I realized I should board another train, but first I needed a destination.
I had never taken the time to clarify what I wanted for my life or outlined a vision for myself. I had always been a follower, allowing myself to be carried along, letting others make decisions for me.
Now that I was set on blazing my own path, I began to ask a different series of questions.
- How do you want to spend your time?
- What energizes you?
- How can you make better use of your skills and talents?
- What are your priorities?
- Where do you want to be in one year, five years, ten years?
After answering these questions, the final question is:
- How will you get there?
That’s how I chose which train to jump on next.
When I boarded the right train for ME, my life began to change. My goals became easier to reach. Boundaries were easier to set. I started doing more of what I wanted and less of what I hated.
My obligations and priorities shifted to manifest MY vision.
The change wasn’t easy, but it was a lot easier than struggling to maintain a life that was not designed for me.
The first step in becoming Thoughtfully Selfish is to clarify your personal priorities. Once you identify what is important, you begin to focus your energy on this future state.
Everyday, I help high achieving women leaders clarify their personal priorities so they can begin living their best lives.
It’s what energizes me. It’s a wonderful use of my skills and talents. It is the career I wanted to spend the second half of my life focused on.
I am on the right track.
Where do you want to go? How will you get there?
I am here to help you answer these questions. If you are ready, click here to schedule a 30-minute discovery chat with me.
For more tips and tricks to Create Healthy Boundaries and Say NO With Confidence, download my free People Pleaser's Toolkit and begin practicing today.
If you have questions about how Thoughtfully Selfish Coaching works, visit www.thoughtfullyselfish.com.
