Design Your Life
If you didn't know any better, you might say that sounds hard, right?
I use the word "design" to describe how a person can plan and create highly specific and rewarding results in their lives, in any area. Sometimes people misunderstand that!
They think "designing" means being more controlling, more restricting. Cramming more in. Being policed or policing yourself. Living a strict and austere life of rules, regulations, goals, promises, consequences ...
Where's the fun in that?
I sometimes get this pushback from new clients. They're afraid that designing their lives will take away their spontaneity and freedom. I'm afraid I won't enjoy this, the inner chicken will say. But I don't want to follow rules, the inner brat will chime in.
What they don't realize is that they ARE already living by an internal set of rules, theories, and guidelines that have been determining their behavior and thinking patterns for a long time. Whether they like it or not, they've been following rules like "it's ok to cheat on my diet if I'm stressed out" or "I work late nights and weekends if they ask me to," and dealing with the results. See what I mean?
Creating your own happiness
Designing a life of your dreams means YOU consciously set the goals and guidelines, in accordance with your own highest ideals. Designing means you get clear on what will make you happy, and what you need to do to make it happen.
And yes, sometimes it IS a challenge. If it was that easy, we'd all be doing it! Most of the time, however, designing your life is a fun, exciting, and liberating experiment. What rules would you design, what plan would you put in place for the purpose of creating your own happiness?
What about designing for adventure, peace of mind, or just a little rest and relaxation?
My point is, you can design for those variables to great affect. You can design a spontaneous adventure. You can design a much-needed break. This is a huge lesson, and why I am so pleased when I get an email like this from a client:
Hey Coach,
Please OK this plan... I need to design a break right now. My body is beat. This weekend, I will be offline all weekend. No internet, no work.
I will watch 2 movies this weekend.
I will spend at least 1 hour each day in nature.
I will take a nap if I feel like it.
I will call a friend each day to catch up.
I will journal.
I will love my body.
I will take a longer run one of the days.
I will go to church on Sunday.
I will not go shopping.
I will cook and eat healthy, yummy food.
I will write a list of 25 things I love about me.
I will write a list of 25 of my strengths.
I will write a list of 25 of my greatest accomplishments.
I will pray, lots.
It was a huge thrill to receive this email, not only because it sounded like a great weekend, but because my client recognized her own ability to design a break for herself, and took care to plan the things she knew would fulfill her during that time.
That's designing your life. Sounds fun, right?
Now that summer is in full swing, the timing is perfect to design your own break - be it exciting and adventurous, relaxing and peaceful, or both. Don't let this fall to the bottom of your priorities, as something you'll get around to doing once everything else is done. Don't treat it as a frivolous expense. Rest, relaxation, fun and adventure are crucial to your health and well-being. You can design, create, and enjoy them however you please, right down to the timing and schedule. Come to our Fun & Adventure Tele-Talk and we'll show you how.
I'll be happy to be your coach too! Please submit your "design" for your break below!
Happy summer!
Love, Laurie