How do you want your life to go—forward, or in a constant cycle of what you already know?
Sometimes, recycling what we have feels comfortable, but what about the things holding us back? Childhood limiting beliefs, repeated failed relationships, and other patterns? Without a clear vision for where we are going, we tend to circle back to the familiar, repeating similar experiences in different forms.
There’s a theory I agree with: You either grow toward what you envision or repeat what you know. If you’re not actively driving forward to what you want, you’ll drift back into old habits and end up where you started.
For a number of years I taught ‘Practice Management’ to Acupuncturists. I had a system I spoke about that went something like:
1. Decide what you want (let’s call it “B”).
2. Be honest about where you are now (“A”).
3. Identify the tools, skills, or resources you need to get from A to B, and then go get them.
One hard obstacle is knowing what you want and following through until it’s done. Many people get stuck because they lack an example in their own lives—someone who said what they wanted, went for it, and achieved it.
There’s a famous quote: “If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, first you have to invent the universe.” Many people feel like they need to build the entire universe to achieve their goals. But in reality, most of what you need already exists—Google it, and you’ll see it’s possible. This realization alone can boost your confidence to start.
The “What do you want” has more challenges now than it did when I was a kid. Because of the internet you can see absolutely everything there is to have, do and be. The reality is most of it, you can not have. WHAT!!!! but you said A to B, get some skills and bla bla.. Calm down.
The future you needs to understand the steps and practice along the way. For example, if you want to bake a 6-foot-tall cake but have never baked before, it’s not going to turn out great on your first try. The process involves feedback, adjustments, and lessons—many of which life will throw at you unexpectedly.
Luckily life will offer you lessons to get better. Many of us will not see it that way when it happens. Like you get a flat tire on the way to school. Life has given you an opportunity to learn/practice changing a tire. You open the trunk and the spare tire is flat. Life has given you a lesson in automotive maintenance, or the lesson that you need to do some. Most of the powerful lessons are not at the best times for us.
How I get through many of those lessons is with debriefing. I have written an article on that here. It’s a simple thing you will learn or you will repeat the lesson or you will abandon the trip from A to B.
Thankfully, we live in a world full of road maps—books, podcasts, and resources to guide us. Think of your journey like driving to a new city at night. Your headlights only show part of the road, but if you follow the signs and stay on the path, you’ll eventually get there. You just need to trust the process and check your work.
The sculpture of David from Michelangelo is 17 feet tall from a flawed piece of marble that previous sculptures said could not be used. Michelangelo is said to have look at the block for a long time and then as the story goes. He chipped away everything that was not David. He did not carve David, as David was already in there, he just had to expose him.
Now that is a pretty interesting concept. What is in you, me, others waiting to be let out? You will only know if you get in your life and drive forward to things you want in your life. There has never been more help available. So many books, podcasts, video’s, acupuncturists (we get to the point).
The saying goes; ‘You are driving your life or someone is taking you for the ride.’ For sure I have been in both situations, that is were a good partner, friends, associates are very helpful. As sometimes getting from A to B is tough but with time and work many things are possible.
To move forward in life, you need to decide what your “B” is in different areas, like:
- Eating and cooking habits
- Sleep routines
- Fitness
- Relationships
- Fun and hobbies
- Career
- Financial intelligence
Don’t try to tackle everything at once. As Warren Buffett once advised: Make a list of your top 50 life goals, prioritize the top 5, and ignore the rest until those are done. Focus divided is focus diminished.
Personally, I revisit my “A-to-B” goals twice a year—January and in August. It’s a time to reflect, adjust, and keep moving forward. Success isn’t about rushing; it’s about consistently working toward your goals over time.
Life is short. I encourage you to find your “B’s,” chip away at what holds you back, and show the world what’s inside you.
Be Well,
Ward Willison R.Ac.
allbodycare.com
Kelowna Acupuncture & Other Natural Therapies