Dare to live without limits Week of 10/28/19

By: 
Bryan Golden

Focus your energy on what’s important to you now

What’s important to you can change with time, age, and experience. An issue, which used to be important years ago, can fall off your radar. Something which never mattered before, suddenly becomes significant. Identifying what’s important to you now indicates where you should be focusing your energy.
Can you identify what’s really important to you right now? Too often, we take for granted the essential stuff. Inconsequential annoyances often distract us from what’s really important. We don’t fully appreciate something until it’s compromised, or gone.
What’s important to you is independent of what’s important to other people. Each individual’s view of life is unique. You are under no pressure or obligation to conform to the values of anyone else. You want to understand what matters to you.
If you don’t know what is important to you now, take time to contemplate the various components of your life. A good way to start is by considering how much you would miss each factor if it was gone.
Let’s look at some aspects worth considering: family, friends, your significant other, children, career, physical and emotional health, knowledge, skills, abilities, accomplishments, strengths, likes, goals, dreams, personal growth, financial security, lifestyle, and spirituality.
As you review each facet, imagine your life without it. If its absence would be distressing, then it is an important element for you. You will likely discover vital parts of your life which you have taken for granted.
There are some additional approaches for identifying what’s important to you. Look at how you spend your free time and what you spend your money on. Your recreational pursuits, or hobbies are centered on the activities you really enjoy.
If you prefer what you do during your spare time over your full-time job, then perhaps a change is warranted. A common tendency is viewing the pursuit of your passion full time as being unrealistic. To counter this tendency, remember that there are people making a living because of the money you spend during your free time.
What do you daydream about? Your free thoughts frequently will drift to appealing scenarios. Identify the specific pleasing components you focus on. The pursuits, or lifestyles you envision are a strong indicator of how you would prefer spending your time.
Distinguish exactly what makes you feel happy. These are other areas which are, or should be important. You can turn these aspects into full time pursuits. For example, a person who looks forward to eating can earn a living as a chief, food writer, food critic, food photographer, caterer, or menu developer.
If you were independently wealthy and didn’t need to work, how would you spend your time? The answer points to what’s important to you. These are the activities which you would pursue out of desire rather than necessity. Anything you would engage in without being paid, can also be a source of income.
It is well worth the time to identify all that’s important to you now. It’s a shame when you don’t appreciate something until it is compromised or gone. Being healthy is a great example of this category. Good health is commonly taken for granted until a person is faced with a challenging ailment. Even just a sore muscle gives you an appreciation of normal movement.
Don’t take anything for granted. If you do, you risk losing it. Pay attention to what’s important to you. Take the time and spend the energy required to cultivate these elements. Develop an attitude of gratitude for all of the things you are grateful for.

NOW AVAILABLE: "Dare to Live Without Limits," the book. Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at bryan@columnist.com or write him c/o this paper.  2019 Bryan Golden

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