My teenage son came home a few days ago with a stack of pieces from a puzzle he had found discarded in a public place. Given his enormous curiosity and eagerness to explore new challenges, he decided that he was going to attempt to put the puzzle back together. As he focused on placing together the pieces, I pointed out to him that, unfortunately, without the box and the image he was trying to re-create, he would be unlikely to complete the puzzle. I told my son that I would be happy to gift him with a new puzzle on the topic of his inner most passion, which is concept cars.
While I was observing him trying to assemble the pieces and admiring his focus and effort, I was reminded of the imperative of having a clear vision. Just like my son could not recreate the puzzle without the image to guide him, it is very difficult for any of us to sustain our momentum to take actions and to cultivate or assemble all the factors conducive to attaining the vision we yearn for.
But what does make it difficult to have and hold a clear vision of what could truly make one’s heart sing in various aspects of one’s precious life? Here are the most common limiting beliefs or inner dialogue stumbling blocks on the way to realize dreams and visions:
- I don’t think it’s possible
- I don’t know how to make it happen
- If I achieve this level of success I’ll end up alone – it’s lonely at the top
- How can I give myself permission to be happy when so many close to me are unhappy
- I just don’t know what would really make me happier.
- Deep down, I don’t feel worthy of my goals and aspirations.
The other most common block, which I encounter among my coaching clients on a regular basis is about the entrenched habit of pleasing others at the expense of our own best interests. In the second half of life particularly, we can end up feeling quite ill at ease if we become aware of feeling compromised by not having intentionally or sufficiently directed the course of our lives.
If you identify with any of the above, you may benefit from a few coaching sessions to cultivate the mindset, establish the new habits, and integrate the support that will provide the wind in your sails as you set off to navigate the new year. If you work for an organization that offers a good selection of benefits, you may be able to have coaching sessions covered under your plan as some of my clients have because I have maintained my former profession’s designation as a Registered Social Worker.
