Do you have a practice of writing down your goals, tasks, and interests? Things you want to accomplish, things you want to do, maybe courses or projects that excite you?
I have done this for years. Organizing and prioritizing my goals has always been a practice of mine.
I’ve been thinking lately that I need to structure my time more. I don’t have the stamina I had when I was younger. I look at this list and think, what can I realistically accomplish in the time I have? I still go to work three days a week at the company I founded 25 years ago. I write books, send newsletters for my wellbeing coaching and money management company, have a meditation group, a few blogs, social media accounts, two websites to manage, etc. As I read offerings from the spiritual leaders, marketing coaches, and authors I follow, I get excited about all their programs, courses, certifications, and trips. There is so much out there.
What to choose?
I enlisted a fellow Chopra certified teacher I know and admire who now coaches. We had a Zoom meeting the other day to help me discern what is most important for my focus in the future. During the meeting, I discussed my long list of interests and things I’d like to take on.
She asked me a question that changed everything. I wondered aloud to her if I should go for another certification that interested me.
“What is the intention for each of these?”
With this prompt, I had to ask myself how these projects and programs would help me serve. Are they aligned with my purpose? I immediately looked at my list with a huge revelation that many of these desires were sourced from my ego. Enhancing my self-image? Showing the world my competence? Making me feel proud of myself? Especially more certifications because, as we talked, it was apparent it isn’t necessary to acquire any more!
This caused relief. Phew. I don’t need to do all these things. Many would have me go in different directions, take up much of my time, offer no additional benefits to my subscribers, and wouldn’t add any consequential substance to my life.
My pen began crossing out those on the list that were now obviously of my ego, not my higher self.
Take a look at your goals and desires. Maybe you can see what you can take off your plate, be kinder to yourself, and feel relief like I did.