Every once in a while, it is a good idea to break through our limited thinking about what is possible. Now that you want to change careers, it is the perfect time to think about what your ideal life and work would be. I usually do this exercise at family get-togethers with my mother and sisters after dinner. Here is how it goes: Ask your friends and family members the question, “If you had all the money you could ever want, what would you do?” Then go around the room and see what everyone says. Alternatively, you can simply take out a pen and write down at least one hundred things you would do, be, or have if money were no object. You don’t need to limit yourself in any way.
If You Only Have Six Months To Live
An interesting follow-up question you could add is, “If
you had only six months to a year to live, what would you do?”
Or, to do this privately, try the “genie game” instead:
Imagine you are walking on the beach and stumble on a bottle. You pick
it up, and out pops a genie, who hands you a piece of paper and a pen and
says, “You can have everything and anything you want to do, be, or have.
Just write it down on this piece of paper in the next five minutes.” Do
this now! There are no limits. If you want to fly to the moon, no problem.
If you want to become president, no problem. If you have fantasized about
becoming a famous actor, write it down. If you have always wanted to own
a yellow Mini Cooper, put it down. If you want a house in the mountains
or on the beach, put it down. Also include things you want to experience:
If you want to visit the Pyramids in Egypt, walk the Great Wall of China,
see the Grand Canyon, or learn to dance the salsa, commit it to writing.
Everything Is Possible
Nothing is impossible, too expensive, or too difficult. Write down every single thing that you can think of as quickly as you can, without judging or censoring yourself. Your choices may sound crazy or impossible, but this isn’t about being logical, reasonable, or sensible. This is about throwing caution to the wind and writing down your wildest dreams. Try to come up with at least one hundred different things you would like to do, be, and have. Write down every single wish, desire, fantasy, dream, or hope that you can possibly think of. Most people start writing and soon get stuck and can’t think of anything else. Keep writing past this point. Stretch yourself to come up with even more entries—stuff that you thought you could never have or become but that you secretly want. Don’t worry: you don’t have to actually do any of these things. The purpose of this exercise is to bust through your limited beliefs about what you think you can and should do in this lifetime. Most people play way too small!
Don't Leave Life With Regret
Now that you have your list in hand, let’s narrow it down to what you really want. Pick the top ten things you really want to be, do, or have in this lifetime. Imagine that you are on your deathbed looking back on your life: what would you regret not having done? Write this on your top ten list in the space provided in this section. Or, if long-range thinking leaves you blank, ask yourself, “What would I do if I had six months to a year to live?” Pick out the top ten things and record them here.
Conclusion
A little aside about regret: we usually regret not having done something we wanted to do or not having said something we should have said—forgiving someone, apologizing to someone, spending more time with loved ones, having a unique experience in life, or fulfilling a dream that we’ve secretly been nurturing. I’ve yet to hear of anyone on his or her deathbed regretting not having bought that diamond Rolex watch or fancy sports car.
Contributed by Talane Miedaner
Coach
Yourself to a New Career
