You know you’re Not Happy doing the work you’re doing right now.
Or maybe you’re beyond not happy into Soul Sick and just know you can’t bear to get up in the morning and face going to that job another single minute.
You probably even have tons of ideas about what to do instead but you’re still not sure where to start. You might even feel like you can almost put your finger on it, but not quite give it a name or describe exactly what it is that you want to do.
But deep down you know it’s time to either: 1) Start your own “thing” (read: business) or find a job that’s finally suited to your temperament, life purpose and innate talents.
I call that finding your Right Work or your Authentic Work.
Here’s How to Get Clear and Get Started on Your Big Vision for Your Right Work
1. Get Clear On What You Were Put Here to Do
It sounds easy to say that, I know, but it’s also not as hard as you think it is to find your life purpose. It is written out like a road map, right on your hands, for you to follow. I can easily tell you what it is through a hand analysis session.
2. Don’t Rule Anything Out
When it comes to crafting a Big Vision for your life, don’t rule anything out. It’s way too easy to let your inner critic (or as Julia Cameron says, your “Censor”) start yammering at you too early in the process. You DO want to critique and refine your plans, but not until later on in the game (see Step #7, below).
3. Dive Deep
Now it’s time for some deep sea diving. What are all those long lost secret dreams and cherished notions you’ve let go of along the course of living a practical life or the life your parents told you to have?
I always have my clients look for patterns and themes in the answers they come up with, because strangely enough, even when you’re spinning in confusion, there’s always some method to your madness. Usually it’s simply a matter of taking the time to stop and pay attention to all the powerful clues your psyche and soul are hinting about.
4. Dream Big
Once you’ve got your Censor under control and you’ve spent some time going deep down, expand it outward by brainstorming and dreaming big. There’s no point in holding back here, so have at it.
At this critical point in the process, it’s tremendously helpful to get input from like-minded mentors and peers who can help you stretch beyond the limits of your own thinking.
- What would you LOVE to do?
- What would it look like?
- Who would you be doing it with?
- Where would you be working?
- What would you be doing?
Imagine it in full, technicolor detail. Steep in the energy and imagery of it.
5. Detail Your Vision
Next, spend some time detailing out your vision on a practical level.
- How does it work with your available energy?
- How will you know when you’re successful?
- How much money are you making?
- How many people are you working with? How many widgets are you making?
- How many hours are you working?
- How many days, weeks, months are you working?
6. Reverse Engineer a Plan
Now, take a look ahead and see yourself living that Big Vision in the not too distant future. Then, reverse engineer from that future point in time to here. How did you get there? What steps did you take?
Once you start exploring, you’ll see it’s not so hard to get there from here.
7. Implement, Refine and Adjust
Now that you’ve crafted your plan, get out there and start doing it. Rely on your Censor to give you input on places to adjust and refine. Get help along the way to keep moving and keep your momentum going.
Ready to Get Into Action?
I love nothing more than seeing you get clear on your Big Vision and getting into action making it real. I’ve laid out all the steps for you — now it’s up to you to make it happen.
For those of you who know you do much better with support than working on your own — reserve your spot now for my Voice Your Vision retreat in Berkeley on April 29th and 30th for and I’ll help you get clear and get going. (Early registration ends this Friday).
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What’s Jenna Up To?
~> March 29th, 2011. My Artist’s Way Accountability & Support Group continues. Details.
~> April 20, 2011. Speaking at the Thriving Practice Workshop Series in Berkeley, California on creating a web presence and using social media to reach clients.
~> April 23, 2011. Next broadcast of my Radio Lightworker radio show “Dreamification.” Details. Listen from anywhere in the world to this Internet radio show.
~> April 29th & 30th, 2011. My next Voice Your Vision retreat will be held in Berkeley, California. Early registration is now available through April 1st at midnight Eastern Time. Special savings if you’ve already had your hands analyzed. Contact my assistant Jamie to schedule a private one-to-one chat with me to find out if this program is right for you. Check out this video to get a sense of what it’s like to work with me in this way.