October 2018

Guess what I found tucked away in the back of my closet – a vision board I created in 2008. That year I decided to change my life and I involved myself in a multi-level marketing business selling skin care with the hopes of becoming rich and financially independent. My vision board was filled with magazine cut-outs representing the things I wanted as a result of my new career and success: a dream home, a luxury car, exotic vacations and leisure time spent sipping cocktails surrounded by my friends and family. I smiled at each image and then thought to myself: “So, what happened? Why am I not there?” We are still at the same house, NOT driving a luxurious car, still heavily relying on my nursing job to meet our financial obligations, still dreaming of a better life …

The vision board did not help much, obviously. The new business, well, I know I did not treat it as such, it was more of a hobby, I did have a real job, after all … Who knows what could have and would have happened had I really invested all my effort and time in it …

As the years went by, I learned a lot, though. I realized that no vision board or New Year’s resolutions, or list of goals would guarantee this new life. The only thing that matters is ACTION.

A lot of what I did was pretending I was working towards a change. I bought yet another book on a start-up business, I watched motivational videos, I read blog posts and articles – all with the intent of preparing myself to take action and start working on my goals.

I finally realized it was all excuses.

I needed to stop pretending to be working on my dreams.

I needed to make a commitment and show up for myself.

I started to take action. Some of the steps I took were spontaneous, some had to be schedule. And out of new respect for myself, I’d show up at the scheduled appointment with myself and perform a planned task. It took time and effort. It was painful at times. I sacrificed watching some of my Netflix shows or going out with my girlfriends. But, a new habit of doing was created in me, and I just kept on going. Today, my mindset is different. I still read motivational books and watch videos, but I immediately put in action what I learned and it amazes me how many of new ideas and strategies I learned.

Here is a list of things you can do to make changes that do not require a major effort, but will start a new thinking and a shift in your perception of yourself and your future.