Self-Discovery Pt.1

Friends, today I want to begin a journey with you. I'm sure given the title of this article wanting to join together seems like an oxy-moron. However, the journey of self-discovery can be difficult to do when completely alone. We need someone from time to time for at least a few steps along the way. The moment you feel you have all of the answers, that is the moment you will begin to fail. Therefore, let's take this journey of self-discovery together.

I would like to challenge you! Consider it an actual dare. The very first thing you have to do is sacrfice some of your time. This will be one of the hardest parts of this journey. Stop! Pick a day this week to literally clear your calendar of events. Take some time away from the kids and even your significant other. This is all about you! No excuses. This journey cannot even begin if you fail to do this very important step. Do this alone in a quiet space.

WRITE YOUR DEFINITION

Define yourself. Who are you? Right now in this moment. Don't think about your future yet. Don't think about your past. This is about your present. Who exactly are you? If I were to look you up in the dictionary, what adjectives would you use to describe yourself to someone else? You must be honest. There is no one to lie to but yourself. Are you honest? Fair? Angry? Caring? Thoughtful? Argumentative? Assertive? Creative? Manipulator? Egotistical? Honestly. Who are you. Draft up your list of adjectives you think about yourself both positive and negative.

Why are we doing this exercise? You cannot get to where you are going until you first know where you are. Think of this journey as a GPS of life. The first thing the GPS requests is your current location. The GPS doesn't care how you got there. It only wants to first know where you are. Then, it routes you to your destination the best way possible, even if it saves you only one minute. We are going to map out your destination for your life.

But first, where the heck are you?

Like I have told my adult kids, "If you end up somewhere you're not supposed to be, call me. I will not fuss you out about how you got there (yet). I want to get you to the next place that is safe." No matter the situation that lead you to be who you are, the question is how do we get you from there? We can evaluate how you got there later.

WRITE YOUR DESIRED OUTCOMES

I ask people sometimes, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" No age discrimination. Most people smile at first when they hear that question. I told one of my adult daughters "Don't be so frustrated with the fact you don't know what college you want to attend or what you want to major in right now. You're 18 years old. Your life will evolve multiple times as you get older." I went to college for music at first and then joined the Marine Corps. I got off active duty and worked in corrections and then on to risk management where I eventually started my own businesses. I had no idea my life would take this path when I was a 10 year old. To be honest, I had no idea it would change any of the times I evolved.

As I told my daughter, we no longer live in the industrial age where my parents went to work for General Motors and General Electric for 30 plus years and then retired. Those days are gone. Life changes and sometimes frequently. So, five years from now, this list of desires may change for you. You will have to be ok with that. I am not an evolutionist however, I do believe in the personal and professional evolution of man. You have to roll with life. A rolling stone gathers no moss. Therefore, keep moving. No matter how many times you fall along the journey, get back up each time!

I know you may feel this will be tough. I know you may feel stuck right now. This will not be a quick fix. This is a journey, not a walk to the corner store. It takes a split second to get stuck in mud, a ditch, or in snow... but then takes forever to get out of it! Well, life is the same way. You looked at your life and was like "WOW! I'm stuck! How did this happen? It was a blur!" Well guess what, it's going to take longer to get out of the situation that took a moment for you to get into anyway. Therefore, I need you to...no, no... YOU need to commit yourself to this journey!

Now, this list of desired outcomes... what do you want to be when you grow up? Write it all down. Not just in your career but in your personal life too.

This is your homework assignment.

Go start your list and stay tuned for Part 2 of this article!