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By Kathy
Caprino
"Breakdown
often seems to strike out of the blue,
yet we rarely get to this point without
warning signs along the way."
How can you tell if you're simply going
through a "tough time" right now, or
experiencing a true professional
crisis--a critical situation requiring
real and lasting change?
Here's a start: If you check one or
more of the statements below, it may be
time to create a true breakthrough in
your life.
___ I have chronic health problems that
just won't get better.
___ I lost someone or something I
loved, and I feel deeply changed because
of it.
___ In some ways, I don't like or
respect who I've become.
___ It seems like every time I speak up
and say what I think, it goes very badly
for me.
___ I feel mistreated--even abused--at
work, yet I remain there.
___ I've had it with constantly
proving myself--competing and struggling
to "win" at all costs.
___ My financial situation has me
trapped.
___ I have talents I'm not using, but I
long to use them.
___ I want to do work that makes a
difference and really means something,
but I don't know how.
___ Things are falling apart in my life
all at once.
___ Balancing my life and work feels
impossible, and I know I can't go on
this way.
___ I dislike my work, but have no idea
what else I can do.
___ I feel
that I'm "meant" to do something else
with my life, but can't move toward it
or identify it.
* * * * * * *
If you've
checked off even one of these
statements, there are aspects of your
inner self that are being suppressed
or ignored, and are wanting attention
and resolution.
Here are 10
quick tips to get you started on your
path to living your true spirit in life
and work:
1. Listen to your body.
Your body is always communicating, but are you listening? From
minor aches and pains to major chronic
forms of disease or malaise, pay
attention to what an ailment may be
saying to you-not just about your body,
but your mind and spirit, too.
2. Hear and heed your intuition.
Your intuition, or inner voice,
is an invaluable source of information.
Start developing a keen awareness of the
"dialogue" within you---even asking
questions and waiting for the answers.
Rarely, if ever, will your gut-level
hunches lead you astray. Follow them!
3. Say "no" to an either-or life.
Are you focusing on just one
aspect of yourself? Don't do it. This is
not an "either-or" life--it's an
"everything" life. Reconnect with a
talent or dimension of yourself that you
love, but has gone by the wayside while
you over-identified with a single role
or function.
4. Speak up and be completely
honest with yourself.
Speaking the truth sounds
simple, but it's not. Still, it's
essential to learn to express yourself,
or you'll become stuck and feel unable
to advocate for yourself or navigate
through change effectively. Throughout
the day, at home or work, ask yourself,
"What do I want and need to say here?
What do I need to see about myself
that's been too painful to look at in
the past? I'm ready." Then take a risk,
express yourself, and commit to
addressing what needs to be examined and
resolved.
5.
Embrace "good enough."
Many people strive, even slave,
to be the best at everything, even in
areas they don't truly care about
--driving themselves crazy in the
process. If you're one of them, start
accepting "good enough," where
appropriate, and where necessary. Soon
you'll find that "good enough" in
certain areas paves the way for
"perfect" in the areas you prize most
dearly.
6.
Figure out what you're most afraid of.
Get in the cage with your fears.
One by one, take them on and face what
you're most afraid of. How are your
fears driving you, limiting you, and
wearing you out? Deal with these issues
once and for all, and you're sure to get
unstuck.
7. Get real about money.
Money is simply an energy
form-with no particular qualities in and
of itself-yet it can be the means to
either limiting or expanding yourself.
Take time to understand your own beliefs
and history around money. (Are they
healthy or do your beliefs leave you
feeling a slave to money?) Figure out
how money keeps you trapped, and muster
the courage to do something about it.
Even if it's not the ideal situation
yet, find a way to balance what you need
to do with what your spirit wants to do.
8. Stop making excuses and become
accountable.
We're all good at making excuses
for not acting on our dreams. Take a
long, hard look at your own excuses and
where you're putting the blame outside
yourself for what you don't like in your
life. See your excuses for what they
are, then do the work to release them.
9. Be open to angels.
Odds are, there are a number of
"angels" in your life-- people who love
and support you, believe in you, and
will give you the gentle push (or
ever-so-kind slap in the face) you need
to venture into the unknown. Be open to
their help and act on it. You might be
steeped in doubt or fear, but they're
not. Also, be open to the true angels
from the spiritual dimension who are
waiting to help. (If you're interested
in learning how to communicate with your
angels, check out
Trudy Griswold's wonderful work or
come to my workshop in July!).
10. Find a role model.
You might already have a role
model--from your own mother to Mother
Teresa. If not, find one. Look for
someone who brings to light the
qualities and successes you admire and
aspire to, and whose story resonates and
gives you hope. Ask them to mentor you,
or follow their lead.
Finally, relax! It's not all up to you.
There is a "higher power"- a universal
life force bigger than you. When you
finally connect with it, you will gain
clarity about your authentic self and
compelling future visions, and begin to
make them a reality.
Happy breakthroughs! |
