If This is My Purpose, Why Isn’t It Easy?
Several months ago, I started a project that I know I needed to do.
When I am working on it, time stands still – I become “in the flow”. Next steps unfold, and I am able to do them with clarity. I am getting an extreme amount accomplished. I am doing things I am afraid to do, but know I just need to do. Because of the way I am driven to accomplish it, I know it is part of my life’s purpose.
But here’s the kicker – it is not easy. I want it to be! I mean, if this is part of my life’s purpose, something I know I need to do and is internally satisfying to work on, then why am I not hitting the benchmarks that I have set? Why are there some pieces of it moving slower than I would like? Why are there some unforeseen setbacks that I need to maneuver around?
This injects doubt in my mind as to whether this is my purpose after all. Here are some things I employ to help myself regain confidence and keep moving forward.
Live in the future moment of success. Visualization is a powerful thing. I ask this question: If we are 3 months from today and I have accomplished what I have set out, what does it look like? I really describe what has happened and write it down. Then – what does it feel like?
Tap into my purpose. Tasks and daily occurrences can get in the way. These things swirl around in my head, when my main purpose for the project is deeper. I take a few breaths and visualize the reason for my project. When I do this, I am reminded of my deeper reasons for the project, and that I “know” it will be successful in the end.
Reevaluate goals. I have a habit of setting really big goals because I love the challenge. The downside to this is quite obvious – when they aren’t reached, I am disappointed. I remind myself that having two types of goals is important: realistic and reaching. Are my goals in line with this or do I need to reevaluate?
Journey, not the conclusion. This is a hard one for me. Reminding myself that it is about the journey, not the end. I ask – What am I learning about myself in this process?
Have fun. When I am too focused on goals, I sometimes forget to have fun. What about this project is fun? What would it look like to have more fun with it?
Celebrate what has been accomplished so far. Looking back and listing what has been completed and the impact of that is important. I keep a calendar of successes, and when I take time to look back at them, I am usually surprised and pleased with the work I have done.
As the saying goes – “If it were easy, everyone would be doing it”, and yet I still want it to be easy! When it isn’t, I take this as a cue to remind myself of the deeper purpose and reflect on what I am learning about myself in the process. I celebrate the fact that I am alive and showing up to work on something bigger than myself. It’s not easy, but in the end – that is what’s most meaningful.
Do you have a problem or topic you would like to learn more about? Please let me know and I would be happy to answer it anonymously in a future blog.