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The Seven Steps to Abundance
by Craig Lock
Do not follow the well-beaten track of others towards success -
like the rainbow, it is often an illusion always just beyond our reach. Make
your own path and let your spirit blaze a brilliant trail towards the pot of
gold, the prize for the gift - one that is uniquely you and YOUR successful
journey down the river of life. - Craig Lock
Here are my thoughts and steps on how to to "design a
life"...instead of been blown about by the winds of life (like a paper bag), or
the currents, like a jelly-fish. Enough similes.
1. Find the VISION, the plan for your life. Unless you
know where you're going, you are unlikely to get there. Any place where you are
is a good place to start.
Ask yourself:
What activities have you most enjoyed in the last 10 years?
What is fun? What do you treasure?
What do you most want to be doing in the next 10 years?
I'd love to write, help, encourage and hopefully even inspire
others.
2. Which of your strengths and weaknesses are a joy to you?
What do people say you are good at?
What is special about you?
List ideally what would you be doing? Living at the beach,
writing and travelling...and be financially secure, of course!
Ideally what would you want to be? When I started out writing
seven years ago, a successful author was my original goal. Now I want to be a
"great" writer, whose words make a difference in the world by encouraging and
hopefully even "inspiring" people around the globe.
What motivates you? What "drives" you? What is your "hot
button"?
Ask WHY do you need those things? What are those status symbols
for?
Define your vision. Write it down in less than 10 words. It took
me most of my life to discover what I believee Does it involve other people?
What do I most want to be doing? Why?
What do I most care about? Why?
What steps can I take to move me closer to doing what I really
want to do with my life?
Find your niche - your unique skills and natural gifts?
Think about WHO will pay you to enjoy yourself. Instead of
worrying about being sacked, think who will pay you to have fun? How can you
best use your gifts and talents?
Where do you want to work? With whom, in what sort of company?
Look for a picture of your ideal environment: home, as well as work.
3. PLAN ahead carefully. Doing this reduces false starts
and wrong directions. Most people spend more time planning their annual holiday
than they do their "blueprint for life".
Put it all down in writing. Doing that focusses your mind, your
consciousness. My advice: "Think big, but start small".
The prominent American psychologist, Carl Rogers said: "The only
real security is the preparedness to embrace insecurity". Be the YOU you most
intend to be? Take stock, review your plan and prioritize your life goals.
4. Make the COMMITMENT. Stop saying you're going to do it
and actually DO IT. Put in the work and write out the checks. This involves
going past the point of no return. Make commitments: to yourself, to your loved
ones in terms of time, energy and money. Then stick to it and take full
responsibility for the outcome.
5. Spell out the details of the PLAN. Think it all
through and concentrate hard. What are you going to do? How are you going to do
it, step by step? What needs to be done and in what order of priority? What
resources do you have at your disposal? What are your expenditure needs?
Reaffirm your commitment through a personal budget. Be flexible in your
thinking, as circumstances usually change...and we can't foresee the future. And
most importantly, THINK BIG.
6. Develop a network of people to help you achieve your goals
(and you can help them achieve their goals at the same time). First, you must be
aware of them. It's a "win-win" situation. Be enthusiastic at all times, because
enthusiasm is catching.
7. Take ACTION, that first step...then the next will follow
naturally ...and far more easily. Nothing can stop you now. "Roll up the
sleeves" and get down to work. I believe the first prerequisite for success is
loving what you do. I love writing, although it's very lonely (and probably the
world's most solitary occupation). Always remember, life is not a 100 metres
sprint - it's a marathon. So rest when you feel you need to and don't feel
guilty about it (something I have to learn!). Have fun along the journey.
Perservere and persist in your quest.
Take responsibility for your own abundance and your learning
throughout the 'game of life'. Appreciate your abundance and prosperity daily by
giving thanks to God, the Universe for what you do have. Live with "an attitude
of gratitude", instead of focussing on what you lack..
Have faith in yourself - believe deeply in yourself, but even
more deeply in Life, The Universe, Supreme Being, a Power far Greater than
yourself, Infinite Intelligence... who loves you and wants what's best for you.
The spiritual journey may take far longer than you thought, so be patient.
Always remember,
The measure of success is not money, but learning and growth -
just trying to be the best person you can possibly be each and every day.
Measure success in learning and growth - nothing else is important. Work is a
place each of us creates in order to grow. It is the laboratory for
experimenting with our potential
When working for yourself, this is a time of unprecedented
change in your life. Work allows you to put into place skills and knowledge
acquired througheducation. It is a time to experiment with our potential and the
various demands made upon us. Initially we learn to work in teams, working
towards a common objective. Then gradually in our working careers we learn to
take on more and more responsibility.
Believe you deserve to be abundant - though not more than
others. It's a matter of finding a balance between your ambitions and your
responsibilities. Be accountable and socially responsible, by thinking of other
people.
You can't force people to change. Listen to your intuition,
truth and love. That is the "voice" of God, The Divine, Higher Power, the Higher
Self, Spirit, the Ultimate Source speaking to you.
We are all spiritual beings living in the physical world. So
wherever you are, what better time to start on your spiritual journey to
abundance...than NOW!
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