3 Steps to Pursuing Your Ideal Career

Omwords is the blog of a Brian, a graphic designer turned yogi. He and his wife quit their jobs, packed up their dogs, and moved from the city to a beautiful island home in Canada to, in his words, "wipe the slate clean and start writing the next chapter of our lives. The one in which we find our heroes living out their dreams of healthy living, creative expression without compromise, and unhindered personal growth."

(Does that sound like heaven to anyone else??!! My goodness. Also apparently they now live in a "little barn with a workshop, nestled in the giant cedars on 4 acres of untamed land" *SWOONS*)

Anyways, drooling over Brian's life choices and barn aside, there are lots of interesting and inspiring posts and links over on his blog so go have a look! One of the links I thought would be great to share with you was this article by Amber Rae of Fast Company on "3 Steps to Pursuing Your Ideal Career". A few Brogis have chatted about this with me, so I know it's an area some of us want to work on. Hope this inspires!

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3 Steps to Pursuing Your Ideal Career

There's a gap between identifying what you naturally gravitate toward and gain energy from and how that translates into your full-time work.

The process of closing that gap includes gaining clarity, taking action on what matters, and leaning into the fears that hold us back.

It includes realizing that the greatest opportunity we have in life is the process of discovering what we love to do--and then dedicating our life accordingly.

When we close that gap, we live a life where Mondays are celebrated as much as Fridays and "someday" is today.

Here are three steps that will help you gain internal clarity so you can plan toward your ideal future.

1. Gain clarity around what to focus on. 

To gain clarity around how to spend your time in ways that energize you, so that you're as productive and happy as possible, Derek Sivers suggests asking yourself, "What do I hate NOT doing?" Meaning, what, if you don't do every day, makes you feel icky and off-track?

Whatever it is--be it writing, designing, learning to program, asking questions, running five miles, reading non-fiction business books, spending time with loved ones, or meditating--make a list of the top 5 or so activities that you love and must do every day to feel like your best self.

Now you know where to spend your time and energy.

2. Define the world you imagine.

Of all the people I've met who are living their ideal life, true success has less to do with measuring up to an objective standard and more to do with working toward a larger ideal and better world.

For a moment, forget about your family's image of you, your friends' perception of you, and what society at large seems to expect from you. You don't have to live how others expect you to and how you define your "real job" is up to you.

So take 10 minutes and think about the ideal world you imagine. For example, I (the author of this article) imagine a world in which our potential is not governed by what we’re told we can and cannot do, but rather by our highest intentions and inner gifts. By knowing the world I envision, I know why I wake up every morning, it guides how I make decisions, and who I spend my time with.

Now it's your turn. Write out the dream world you imagine, beginning with, "I imagine a world in which __________."

By painting this picture and defining your ideal, you'll create something bigger to work toward and you'll have a vision to share with others too.

As Simon Sinek says, no one cares what you do, they care why you do it.

3. Replace old thoughts with new ones.

We often carry around thinking patterns that no longer serve us or our dreams.

"Who am I to do that?"

"That's not realistic."

"I don't know how to do it."

Guess what? You're the same as everyone else who's made something big happen, it's only unrealistic until you try, and you will figure it out.

Write out a list of all the negative thoughts that are shaping your behaviors. Next to each thought, reframe it in a positive light. While the transformation may not happen immediately, our thoughts determine our attitude, our attitude determines our actions, and our actions determine our life. That's why being aware of what's holding us back is the first step toward change.

By doing these three exercises, you'll gain the internal clarity needed to make your dream world a reality and lean into fear, which we'll address next time. My aim is to provide you with the clarity and action steps to claim the life you're meant to live.

More from Amber Rae on this subject here. 

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Hope that was helpful gang! I love "no one cares what you do, they care why you do it". Wise words! 

So... why do you do it brogis???! :)

Bromaste!