OK so many of you are writing me to say you want to invent what your future will look like ’cause you’re tired of falling into life as it unfolds all on its own.

How are you going to do that?

The first step is to ask yourself “What are the ramifications if I do this and what are the ramifications if I don’t? That’s a great way to start doing triage and eliminating time and energy vampires.

Next question to reflect upon is “Will this choice help me build a life, career, organization that I love?”  If the answer is no, what do you have to change about it so you can make it happen?

Last question is “Am I listening to hear what I don’t yet know?”

In this economic climate we have to work smarter and for the right reasons. We also have to look way further ahead to create the kind of future we want rather than react to the one that we unconsciously fall into because we’re so busy doing ’stuff’.  This is the time to pay attention to the ripple effect…how your words, actions, thoughts and ideas create impact both for you and those around you….and how others can impact you the same way.

Have the conversations.  Take the time to hear what someone else has to say, their opinions, perspectives and their stories.  To use a personal analogy, I’m having some renovations done.  I absolutely knew what colours and styles I wanted and what I would tell the contractor to do.  Then his wife asked me the question “How open are you to trying something totally different?”  I figured why not dive in and see what they had in mind?  What they suggested was beyond anything I would have thought of but I know, every time I walk into that room I’ll be smiling and in awe at how beautiful it is.  If I lived within my own experience I would have been happy with the results but not blown away.  I made a pact with myself to do that with the people I choose to meet, to talk to and to learn with.  I already know what I know but to create a life that will always keep me hopping and enthused I have to learn and experience what I don’t know. Life can never be the ’same old same old’ if we listen for the new.

“Realize that now, in this moment of time, you are creating.  You are creating your next moment. That is what’s real.  Being in the moment involves giving maximum appreciation and love to your present experience.” - Sara Paddison

It will also mean you’re paying attention and choosing what works for you.

With deepest respect,
Donna Karlin
Founder and Principal
A Better Perspective
ISSN 1913-6307