Structure for Support LLC
Oakdale, CT 06370
charliec
Once your vision and plan are defined, it's time to move into action. We don't have any choice whether we take action because for conscious human beings it is in fact necessary to do things. But in the majority of cases, we do have a choice about which actions we take, and when. Structure for Support works inside the model that what will bring the greatest joy, happiness and fulfillment is to have what you do be an expression of the vision you have for your life.
This takes planning: determining what you are going to do, how often and when. Surprisingly, many people resist this step. They don't view it as very important, or it's too complicated and involved, or they are worried that it will make their daily lives too constricting. Often, behind these concerns is doubt about whether it is even possible to adequately plan what they are going to do, or doubt whether they will be able to do all those tasks. They fear disappointment and a blow to their self-esteem, but as we discussed in the section on Creating Your Vision, not doing what you really want is far more damaging. When these types of concerns arise, it is a sign that you have let the past slip into your future and are not being present to the vision you created.
Let me pause, then, for a moment to talk about the Structure for Support process. It starts with you determining your vision for your life. With your vision as your guide, you look at all the different areas of your life and come up with a balanced plan and goals for what you want your life to be about. When it comes to choosing which actions and tasks you will assign yourself, it will again be YOU making the decisions. You will design your life the way you want. There should not be a single action in your plan which you do not want to take (all things considered). The plan can be very loosely defined; what's important is that you are taking the time to look at and consider the different areas of your life. If it's your plan, your way, why would you resist it?
Taking Action
When the action plan or task list has been completed and you know what you want to be doing each day, or at least some key actions you have chosen in support of your goals and vision, it is time for the culminating step: to actually do what you have planned.
This step is vitally important because being in action is how we actually live a life we love. Consider that if you are not actively pursuing what you really want, you'll know it (whether you are inclined to acknowledge it to yourself or not). How can you be truly happy if you know (consciously or unconsciously) that you are not pursuing what matters most to you? On the other hand, if you are pursuing what you really want, and doing it with commitment and integrity, you'll know that too. And therein lies the well-spring for your happiness and joy, for loving yourself and your life.
The key lies in integrity: 1) keeping your vision present and 2) actually completing the tasks you've set out for yourself -- or acknowledging that you have not or will not be completing those tasks to the people to whom they matter (including yourself) and indicating whether you intend to recommit to the task, or if you are altering the task or choosing to forego the task altogether.
As in most endeavors, it takes practice to master the art of living a life you love - trying, failing or succeeding, adjusting and then trying again. From a certain perspective, the results don't really matter, but the pursuit of them is essential. There is a Buddhist saying that sums it up nicely: live your life as if it mattered, even though you know it doesn't.
Creating a list of actions and commitedly trying to achieve the tasks on the list can reveal three important aspects of your plan:
"At our very first meeting, ...
...one of the commitments I got clear on was to play my harp five minutes a day (the harp which had been collecting dust for the better part of a year since I had finally decided, after many years of wanting to play, that I would begin, only to get quickly derailed.) After one month of working with you, I was still playing every day. Now, five months later and 'on my own', I am still playing the harp everyday, (usually for far, far more than five minutes!) and my teacher says I am making unusually quick progress! Those tools have stayed with me and helped me to go from being a woman dreaming about the day I'd have the time to pursue my musical aspirations- to being a musician!"
A.B.
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If you are interested in working together, you can review the options listed under coaching services and choose the one(s) that interest you most.
Structure for Support LLC
Oakdale, CT 06370
charliec