for granted, staying in touch and keeping the channels open will serve you particularly in the tricky times when you need a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. Friends celebrate your successes and commiserate with you when times get tough. Never underestimate the value they bring to your life. No man is an island.
5. Not allowing myself to be happier. Happiness is a state of mind and a choice; if we consistently choose to see the glass half empty and moan about what is not great in our life, we blind ourselves to what miracles are happening around us every day. The kindnesses people show us, the beautiful scenery, sunsets, seascapes, forests we can see. When we stop being grateful for our health, family and loved ones we deny others and ourselves the opportunity to express joy and happiness. This is not something we should only leave for Christmas; we should do every day of our lives. Beware of getting stuck in a habitual way of expressing yourself. Don't be scared to show your emotions, stop pretending that you are OK with things as they are and if you are not happy, change it.
Which regret do you struggle with most?
What is holding you back?
Don't wait for a life-threatening disease or a deathbed moment to get your insight, start NOW.
As I said, it's your decision, but using the tools in this book to give you the insights, and then applying what you learn, will help you to make that change. My desired outcome for you is that at the end of this journey I will guide you through you will arrive at a new stage and will be stating one of the following:
• My priorities have completely changed.
• I now feel I can really follow my hopes and dreams.
• I want to focus on happiness.
• I want to express my true self.
• I am ready to follow my dreams.
• I have a new sense of meaning and purpose.
This book is a distillation of years of experience, seminars I have run and attended, books I have read and amazing people I have learned from on my path.
I want you to enjoy this book, and also be able to use it to motivate yourself, connect to your purpose, and get what you really want out of life.
Grab your journal. Let's get started.
Part One
Discover Yourself: A Journey to You
1
Mind Your Values
‘Those who look outside dream, those who look inside awake.’
At the heart of a truly fulfilling personal and business life there will always be a set of strong core values. The question is: Do you ever give yourself the time and permission to stop and ask yourself what matters to you?
Discovering your essential values
Becoming more conscious of your values gives a strong sense of identity for you, your life and your career. If you have chosen a career that is a vehicle for generating money, but does not provide you with any personal satisfaction, maybe it's time to reconsider. Values provide focus and direction for (in this instance) financial success and give your desires more meaning.
So what about you? Let me ask you again: How do you feel about getting connected to your true values so that you can live a life that will make you happy and fulfilled?
I warn you, this process can be life changing. You may change your business, re-evaluate your friendships and find your soulmate, take better care of your health and show more affection to those around you. Ultimately, it will be your choice. With values comes choice. With choice comes change. And with change comes growth.
Now, how do you feel about leaping into the world of values? Ready? Put your mind, body and soul into first gear and let's go!
What are values?
What drives most people is a yearning to improve the quality of their lives while at the same time remaining true to themselves. Becoming conscious of what fundamentally drives you is not always obvious. While you are busy running on the treadmill of life, you will undoubtedly miss and potentially suppress those hidden drivers that are a powerful force within you.
Connecting to your deepest values, the ones you hold most dear, will give you the renewed energy, motivation and impetus to live your life more fully.
Consider the following questions:
• What is my life's purpose?
• What is my unique contribution?
• What will I be remembered for?
• What makes me feel alive and vital on this planet?
These four questions will be answered over the course of the book, starting from the position of values.
While answering these questions you will inadvertently start to connect to what is important to you, the quality or essence you can't live without. Although you may have been hitherto unaware of these hidden drivers, not knowing them can be – in the worst case scenario – a contributing factor to an overall sense of meaninglessness.
Many people tend to chase goals only to find that when they achieve them there is a strong sense of anticlimax. When this happens, they get a fleeting moment of happiness and joy that is rapidly followed by ‘what's the next question?’ Living a life that is disconnected from your values may lead you to pursue goals that will not ultimately satisfy nor nourish you longer term.
It's a bit like going for a sugary treat or pick-me-up when we are hungry for a proper meal. We go for the biscuit or bag of crisps only to find out we are still hungry. We have not been properly nourished so we begin to crave more and more junk food that will never feel satisfying.
Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.
Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».
Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.
Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.
