Guest Blog by Melissa McCreery
Recently, someone told me about an opportunity she almost missed because it had never occurred to her that the thing she wanted to do was possible. Her story was a good reminder that sometimes, if we are not looking carefully for the opportunity, we miss it entirely.
When we are busy and trying to get a lot done, it’s easy to fall into a mindset that limits our outcome and our opportunities before we even begin. Far too many times we set our expectations by thinking about what we’d be “okay with” instead of by thinking about what we really truly want. We got locked into a mindset we call “practicality” and eliminate possibilities because we assume that we don’t have the keys to doors that we aren’t even sure are locked. In this “practical” mindset we eliminate possibilities without even considering them because they don’t seem like the most likely outcome or because we don’t have a clear idea of how we would make them happen.
If we approach a situation focused on what isn’t possible, what we can’t afford, or what probably won’t occur, if we narrow our expectations because of our weight or the economy or our age or anything else, we are almost guaranteed to have a very different outcome than if we approach a situation with our dream outcome–our ultimate vision in mind.
If we don’t allow ourselves to think about what we really desire, it’s easy to live in a world that is limited by our preexisting baseline or by the expectations others may have previously helped us set. That prevents growth.
If we don’t allow ourselves to explore what we really want, sometimes we miss incredible possibilities. In contrast, when we start a project with a vision of our dream outcome in our mind, it’s not unusual to find that the path is NOT totally blocked and even that the door opens more easily than we thought. Sometimes we actually find that door wide open.
Going after a dream instead of pursuing the most practical version of your goal will likely also increase your energy, motivation, and willingness to persevere as you work through any difficult challenges along the way.
Here are two questions that can help you tap into more possibilities and can help you shift from “practical” to “open to possibility.”
Tuck these questions inside your brain and practice asking them to yourself:
What do I really want?
And what would I do if anything was possible?
Melissa McCreery, PhD is the founder of Enduring Change Coaching (http://www.enduringchange.com) and creator of the online Weight Loss Winner’s Circle (http://www.weightlosswinnerscircle.com) where she helps members stay on track with their eating and weight loss goals, stay out of overwhelm, and thrive.
Kayla,
That’s amazing leadership and investment in your team. I love that you send your employees to the courses. Huge kudos for that. Your team must be so thankful for that opportunity.
Excellent post! Well said at the perfect time. And yes we did take Financial Peace University and send our employees to any and all Dave Ramsey courses that come through the Portland metro area that they want to attend.
I think this is a great attitude on life! Never limit yourself and you will never have those regrets about doing the things you love. I think that it is also important to keep up those hobbies that seem like a waste of time–give your brain a break from work and worries will make you have a happier life.
Anne-Marie,
Thanks so much for posting my article. I’m glad you liked it!
~Thanks for the great post!:)
Thanks for the link. I think Kayla and Dennis from Essential Wholesale may have done those courses and really enjoyed them!
here’s the link:
http://www.townhallforhope.com
Anne-Marie, I think that this is my favorite post yet (other than your upcoming TV, that is! 🙂
I have had fleeting thought like this darting in and out of my consciousness in the past 2 weeks or so.
Sometimes people are truly afraid of success; whether they are coming into the picture with a wrong paradigm of past failures or just a shame base.
This post is refreshing; it calls us back to the drawing board of our dreams and visions. Thank you for taking the time to post it!
Personally I am attending a church meeting tonight and viewing Live Streaming from Financial Peace University where Dave Ramsey is doing a nationwide Town Hall of Hope meeting. I am very excited at what he is possible going to share and I think he has a much needed message for Americans who prefer to NOT participate in this recession. I am not sure what time it is in Washington, but it will be viewed Central Time at 7PM.
Thank you again for your most gracious use of cyberspace! You are so appreciated and valued!