18 Feb 2008 04:33:25 | Ann Ronan, Ph.D.
1.Know your purpose
Are you wandering through life with little direction – hoping
that you’ll find happiness, health and prosperity? Identify your
life purpose or mission statement and you will have your own
unique compass that will lead you to your truth north every time.
2.Know your values
What do you value most? Make a list of your top 5 values. Some
examples are security, freedom, family, spiritual development,
learning. As you set your goals for 2004 – check your goals
against your values. If the goal doesn’t align with any of your
top five values – you may want to reconsider it or revise it.
3.Know your needs
Unmet needs can keep you from living authentically. Take care of
yourself. Do you have a need to be acknowledged, to be right, to
be in control, to be loved? List your top four needs and get
them met!
4.Know your passions
Honor those things that make your heart sing. Whatever it is, do
more of it!
5.Live from the inside out
Increase your awareness of your inner wisdom by regularly
reflecting in silence. Commune with nature. Breathe deeply to
quiet your distracted mind.
6.Honor your strengths
What are your positive traits? What special talents do you have?
List three – if you get stuck, ask those closest to you to help
identify these. Are you imaginative, witty, good with your
hands? Find ways to express your authentic self through your
strengths.
7.Take time to play
Give yourself time to recharge doing things you love to do or by
just doing nothing.
8.Be aware of your self-talk
Are you blocking your potential? Check out your first thoughts
when you wake tomorrow. Are they supportive, encouraging or
positive? Choose the kind of chatter that’s goes on in your
mind. Become aware of the negative messages you give yourself.
Gently catch them and turn them into positive affirmations.
9.Surround yourself with inspiration
Keep a success journal. Write down you four or five greatest
strengths and post them where you can see them. On the last
Friday of each month, write down all your accomplishments both
big and small.
10.Serve others When you live authentically, you may find that
you develop an interconnected sense of being. When you are true
to who you are, living your purpose and giving of your talents
to the world around you, you give back in service what you came
to share with others -your spirit – your essence.
About Author :
This piece was submitted by Ann Ronan, Ph.D., Certified Career
Coach who can be reached at ann@authenticlifeinstitute.com, or
visited on the web at www.authenticlifeinstitute.com. Ann
provides resources, assistance and support to people who want to
successfully take control of their careers. She works with
professionals in career transition and she mentors new coaches.
Live YOUR life!