I used to have checklists and to-do sheets. Each day I would check off the boxes, proving I was productive and on track. But every single day there was always more to add. Then it occurred to me that it is always undone. There will always be more to create and do. There will be things left unfinished. And it’s not a bad thing at all, but actually this is part of a rich, glorious, depth-filled life.
I use to have a very full schedule. I was maxed out; my every moment was planned. I had to actually schedule in fun. I would write “cuddle time with my dog” or “nature walk” on my to-do list. Seems crazy but so many of us do this. We don’t know how to relax or truly have fun. We don’t know how to be. We are so busy checking off our lists that we forgot to leave room for the unimaginable. So often in life we want closure or completion, but life’s gift to us is the unfolding experience. The constant changes and new opportunities are part of living an abundant life. Now, instead of trying to complete things and check my to-dos off, I simply see life as an experiment. I still use to-do lists, but I’m no longer so strict about having the list control my day. My worth is no longer tied to how much I get done.
Instead of making a to-do list, I encourage you to make an “I Dare” list.
We often learn best when we challenge ourselves.
What challenge can you give yourself to reach your growth goals?
One of my client’s dreams was to be a motivational speaker to help women find purpose through their pain. The problem was that she was terrified of public speaking. To help confront her fear, she decided to dare herself to do Facebook Live sessions every day for an entire week. In putting it in terms of a challenge, she was able to push herself outside of her comfort zone and was able to grow into her dream of being a better speaker. What challenge can you give yourself?
I have another client who dreamed of leading retreats for women, but she was terribly shy talking to strangers. I encouraged her to dare herself go beyond her comfort zone. She decided to challenge herself to start a podcast, and after a year of interviewing people all over the world for her podcast, her show became one of iTunes most popular wellness podcasts, which soon landed her a book deal with her dream publisher and led to an annual retreat. It all started with a challenge she gave herself to be more confident speaking to strangers.
The journey is where we get to try things out. Explore your desires by making fun challenges for yourself, and dive into the journey, your life, with arms wide open. It’s all an experiment, so have fun.
Dare Yourself to Grow
This exercise will help you move beyond your fear-imposed limitations and make life a glorious experiment. Put aside your to-do list and instead think about the heart dreams you wish to accomplish. With these dreams in mind, ask yourself the following questions:
- What is the dream you want to fulfill?
- What fears are holding you back from moving forward with this dream?
- What one thing can you do today to move beyond that fear?
- What can you dare yourself to do?
Challenge yourself to take that first step out of your fear and into your dream.
In order to get what you want you have to move through your comfort zone.
When you challenge yourself to do new things and experiment with life, you grow. And when you grow you reach your goals easier.
*This is an excerpt from Joy Seeker: Let Go of What’s Holding You Back So You Can Live the Life You Were Made For by Shannon Kaiser, published by Citadel, an imprint of Kensington Press. Copyright 2019.
Take This Lesson Deeper By Getting My Book, Joy Seeker!
In Joy Seeker I share the step-by-step process for letting go of what’s holding you back so you can live the life you were made for.
This book is a path to discovering our true self—the hero within. The relentless pressure to succeed, measure up, and reach for ever higher goals can leave us feeling like we’re just not good enough—or that something’s missing. At the end of the day, after giving it our all, the last thing we want to feel is hopeless, anxious, and disconnected. Joy Seeker helps you reclaim your power and step into a meaningful, purpose driven joyful life. Get your copy here.
Photo by Simon Maage on Unsplash
