6 things you need to stop saying about the future

You know the words of the famous and talented Mr. Frost, lifted from the poem, The Road Not Taken,

Really, you should read the whole thing, it’s a brilliant revelation about the paths we encounter on our journey and the choices we have to make. Frost’s brilliance obscured one important element of life, however. You don’t have “one big choice” to make in this life. You have about 1000, maybe 100,000. They are coming at you all the time, and last I checked, they freak you out in a serious way.

• Choosing between two really good things, both of which might turn out well for you like two really good and equal job opportunities, or two potential suitors.
• Choosing between a present circumstance that appears secure and beneficial and the possibility of a future that is even better (but uncertain), like between your present job, school, neighborhood and friends and the possibility of an even better job in a different state with new schools, neighborhood and friends.
• Choosing to pursue an opportunity that could lead you to something you have always wanted but doesn’t completely fit into your present life-structure, like a mom of four getting a scholarship to a culinary school.
• Choosing to either release or stick with a situation that has no guarantees, like dealing with a marriage that has been in trouble for a long time.
• Choosing an option that isn’t reflected in the world around you, like packing your kids up in an RV and traveling around the country.

Rather than hiding behind the pretense we know what is coming, or know what we will do when we get there, why not anchor ourselves in excellence and pursue our purpose with courage.

• It’s never going to get better.

You know what this is? An acceptable reason to stop working on a difficult situation. Sure it might not get better, and at the moment when you are sure your commitment cannot impact your now, you will make that difficult decision to get out of the marriage, the friendship, or the job. Make the choice to do everything you can to spark the now with excellence, and you will either experience a miracle, or walk away knowing you did everything you can.

• It’s too good a situation to lose, so I’m going to stick with it.

Most people would be grateful, right? You need to learn to be content. I get it. What if I told you contentment is exhibited by an intense buy-in to the NOW. Take a few steps back and review your life. You didn’t know it would get this good when you started down this road. You had no idea you could be so happy in your marriage or feel so secure in your work. It just happened in a beautiful and divine plan. Take your hardworking, kind self and allow yourself the courtesy to change. You will make the best of it, or you can return to where you began. Nothing has to be permanent.

• What if I can’t handle it?

I have to confess, I allow this thought to float through my impressionable brain far too often. You say you want success and then as it comes rushing to you, you start to feel a discomfort that indicates you didn’t actually think it was going to happen. What if you land the partner of your dreams and you don’t like sharing the remote? What if you get the job you always wanted and you don’t have the skills? Well, let me turn that back on you. What if? What if? You’ll be ok. You’ll grow and adjust. Like most dreams, it won’t look exactly as you pictured it, but you will manage this opportunity to grow in your success.

• If it was so good, others would be doing it, right?

I remember when I first started blogging and living in social media. There was a very smart and seasoned speaking professional who told me this social media world was full of hacks, and I should protect myself and engage in more worthwhile and respectable activities. While there is much wisdom in reviewing the experiences of your intelligent and enterprising peers, the spark in your soul is enough reason to at least investigate the possibilities in your path. Be a professional athlete, an actor, a mountain climber. Who knows what magic will occur as you pursue your best life?

• What if it’s not what I thought it was?

Well, I kind of let the cat out of the bag already. Your vision will most certainly NOT be what you think it is. When you begin the pursuit, your vision is but a shimmery mirage of a dream, built around your soul’s imagination. As you draw closer, you will see signs of reality, warts and rough edges, the underside of the upside. That perfect house in Colorado is expensive and your potential neighbors don’t look like the images in the brochure. Remember, nothing is perfect, and if you dreamt this moment, you can envision another. The key is to never. stop. dreaming.

• I can’t take that kind of chance.

Last but not least is the pompous statement of adult indignation, implying those that dream are childish fools. Somehow it is more adult, more mature to limit the number of changes you take, decreasing said number until you reach an undetermined age in which you take no chances at all. I think I probably say this at least once a week, but if you can BREATHE, then it’s your turn to take chances. What is the bloody difference between a teenager and you except that you might actually know what to do with an opportunity that comes your way?

Whew, I need to sit down and catch my breath. Got a little passionate on that one.

The lesson here is simple.

Stop saying these things. Stop pretending you know anything. You really don’t. Instead, go for it TODAY. Do it well. Do it consistently. Do it with passion and joy.

The choices don’t make the difference, it’s what you do with that choice that impacts both your own life and yes, dare I say it,

the world.

I want to invite you to something!

The 180 Life Transformation Group!

It’s encouragement week in the 180 Life Transformation School! We are focusing on ways to tune into the frequency of abundance and success by accessing the reason we are here on the planet. My friends, we really aren’t here to be perfect, to pay our mortgages on time and get the perfect credit score (although all those things are very good). No, we are here to use our gifts for the benefit of our community! We were created for a reason, and there are limitless opportunities to help others and start a movement of love, forgiveness, empowerment, leverage and grace in the world. Go to the 180 Life Coaching Group on Facebook and find me. I want to know you! Love, Liz