150 Pound Wish

Wishes and dreams are what ignite the flame that gives us the fire and desire to achieve our ideal selves. If you want to be thinner, smarter, more organized, or at the top of the corporate heap – your wishes are where it all begins.  Those wishes turn into dreams which become the visualization we all need to propel ourselves into our preferred existence.

Visualization is key to the process of creating the plan that will eventually put us where we want to be. Eight years ago I had an idea of the business I wanted to own. I wished for many reasons to be out on my own. Freedom was the first motivating factor for me. I have always struggled with being told what to do and even though I shined as an exemplary employee who consistently executed assigned tasks, deep down, I wanted to be choosing my tasks – walking my own path.

I began to examine the skills I had that could help me to construct a viable business that would not only support me but some of the creative professionals in my circle. Being a writer, photographer and an ad wiz I could offer beginning services in those areas but it was my ability to create long term business relationships that proved to be my best asset. I spent three years thinking about it while I worked with my father on our family business and after tragedy struck there, it took me three more years in printing and publishing to take myself seriously.

I know, I know – six years of wishing, dreaming and visualizing? Who has time for that? You do. If you could forecast the next six years of your life and foresee all the time you might waste on things that do not yield the ‘you’ you’re striving to be, that tune of yours might change.  The six years was a necessary period of time for me. It may be two weeks, a month or a period of years before you get to your starting point.  I’m Slow Sally in that regard, I really need to process before I plunge into the depths of the unknown and learn how to swim.

Back on track, I started small; I took a side job here and there. I quietly marketed my skills to people I knew personally and professionally, I did a lot of work just to round out my portfolio. I laid that foundation down so that when the right opportunity presented itself I’d be ready to meet it and make it a worthwhile venture. From there I slowly began to pick up more work and eventually got the opportunity to branch out and bring on my trusted graphic designer friend, Harald Hohendorf.

Two years down the road we’ve expanded our team to include an additional designer and our technology solutions engineer who specializes in developing web sites, social media programs and all of the techie bells and whistles that come with the territory. The wish has changed shape from its beginning form, but it is better than I ever hoped it could be. Whatever you wish for, you can make happen even if it is a little different than you perceived it to be. That which we put our minds to, that we make a priority on some level, can be real. The world is ours for the taking.

This week I am applying the same wishing, dreaming, visualizing scheme to me, the human being. I do believe I am finally ready to make some personal changes on several fronts. I’m quartering my to-do’s into bite sized pieces so that I can realize the me I want to be. I hope you will take a chance this week on a wish, dream big and take a step toward visualizing all the things you want out of life.

It's Your Space, Own It

So, I know, I am two weeks behind on posting something practical that you can put to good use. I owe you, my faithful five readers, an apology. Life has been a jumbled up mess of madness as of late. Note the new photo and theme. It’s crazy, I feel crazy – it is what it is.  If I could scream virtually, I would.

Life is always going to hurl something at you that thumps you in the side of the head forcing you to ask yourself, “What the hell did I do to deserve that?” I know, the side of your head is starting to swell, the kids are screaming, the boss is yelling, your significant other is dumping you. It sucks!

Here is my ice pack for you:

It’s easy to feel like the victim in nearly every area of our lives. We reach out and someone slaps our hand away. You throw a good idea into the brainstorming pool and get rejected while your coworker who presents the same damned idea gets the kudos. We’re left feeling low because it seems like we always get the fecal end of the stick.

In my line or lines of work it is very easy to get my ego banged up. After all, as a creative person I am throwing my craft on the mercy of my clients and hoping they will not only like it, but buy it. Every word I write for someone else, each photo I take is subject to criticism. It is the same thing in my personal life; I share way more than I should. I don’t keep secrets for the most part and I try my level best to put the needs of others above my own.

All of these things can quickly snowball making us feel like we just can’t win or as if we are the victim of others, our work or whatever labels you feeling like slapping on the participating parties in your life. Being a victim is not always your choice. Choosing to feel like, behave as if, etc. are your choice. You can elect to rise above the battery of someone else and forge ahead like the brave soldier I know you are.

It is okay to feel bad about a situation. It is okay to breakdown sometimes and not have all the answers. It is not okay to chronically portray yourself as a victim. “But why? That’s how I feel.” Yes, you may very well feel that way and it may or may not be valid. The reason why you should not portray yourself as a victim is simple, victims get trapped in a continuous cycle of scenarios that encourage their further victimization. I have been an actual victim in several situations in my life including just last week when someone boosted my laptop in broad daylight and right in front of me no less. It is difficult to overcome all of the baggage victimization brings.

What I have learned is this: The energy that I wasted over years of trying to cope with being a victim could have been put to much better use.  As I have evolved as a person I have developed a keen skill for channeling that energy. I look to my work as an opportunity to assert myself, that’s why I write poetry. I seek out things that bring me fulfillment like my friends and family. I read and listen to music that helps me to release that negative energy.

As human beings we have so much potential and power in our own lives. When we feel attacked, assaulted or victimized, it is up to us to summon our own power and overcome that which makes us feel weak. Whether it is your boss, coworker, family member, friend or even a criminal – do not give them the satisfaction of robbing you of your right to be the master of your own destiny.

This week my goal is to assert myself in a couple of very chaotic, unclear situations in my own life. This doesn’t mean that I am intending to be a jerk or anything of the sort. This means while I am taking into account the feelings of others and the circumstances of the situation I am going to do what is best for all concerned and put myself at the top of that list. I hope that even if you start with something small, you will do the same. Best for a week of owning "that spot that you stand in".