Definition - the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights.
Finding the Mentality
I’ve been gifted with many mentors that have built me up, helped me grow and aided me in discovering my vision and what I want to offer this world. Now that I have unwavering self-confidence and purpose, I want to give back and empower others to strengthen themselves, build their confidence and find passion to live their purpose.
Where Does One Start
What you achieve in life is a direct representation of what you think you can achieve. If you think you can make a million dollars, you can. What most people don’t realize is that you can’t just set a mental goal and then watch passively, waiting for it to manifest. Before you start building what it is you want in the future, you must take responsibility for where you are now. Nobody else is responsible for where you are, you either consciously or unconsciously created the life that you now live. Achieving your dreams and goals is an active, action based activity. You must learn to believe, with your whole being, that you already have what it is that you want. The capacity to hold that mentality is crucial to your success.
Building On Your Vision
Once you have a clear vision as to what you wish to accomplish, there are a few methods I use hence my ability to really feel the vision in my body.
1. Journaling – The act of writing makes everything feel more real. I encourage you to use the present tense whenever you are talking the vision you have for your future, it helps initiate the feeling that it’s already part of your reality.
2. Vision Board – I encourage you to clip some photos and quotes and make a poster with them. You will then have a visual representation your vision, which you can look at a few times a day to invoke positivity, as well as simply keeping that vision constantly in your mind. Here’s a video I made about it.
3. Forest Bathing – This practice has become an essential tool that I use multiple times a week. Forest bathing isn’t a hike in nature or an activity where you bring a towel and bathing suit. A forest bathing walk is about going into nature without a destination or specific goal in mind, and through slowing down and tuning into your senses, you have the ability to really experiencing a place. After forest bathing, for 30 minutes or so, I leave feeling at peace, with new clarity and focus for the next steps that are ahead of me. If you are interested in receiving more information about forest bathing and experiencing it for yourself, I have a 30 Day Forest Bathing Challenge, as well as a Free Kickstarter PDF with 10 invitations.
4. Documentaries & Videos – I’ve watched the documentary, The Secret, at least 10 times over the past 3 years. I always put it on whenever I’m feeling unmotivated. I also have watched many videos about the law of attraction, manifestation and visualization, Earl Nightingale, Ester Hicks, Alan Watts, etc. These all aid in my ability to stay true to my vision and achieving it.
Making the Most of Your Opportunities
Learning to recognize opportunities is an essential tool to creating the life you dream of. Not all are created equal. The opportunities that excite and challenge you to grow are the types of ones you should say yes to. We are always told to take every opportunity we get, yet I find that statement untrue, at least in my experience. Some are better than others and to receive all the benefits from the opportunity it often takes time… if you are always taking the next thing offered to you, when will you have time to capitalize and put into effect what you learned? Be selective, you don’t have to say yes.
Track Your Progress
Writing down what you’ve accomplished in a set period of time is essential to continuing your forward motion. Your ability to be reflective, understand where you came from and what you’ve recently accomplished is a quality that you want to just be a part of you.
Final Thoughts
Nothing happens over night. It takes hard work and dedication toward a clear vision or goal. There will be good days and bad but what’s most important is to believe in yourself and your vision, to stay positive and to value your time above anything else.