This is 3 of 3 posts. You’re encouraged you to reply to each and then click here to learn more about making moves towards the dreams you have.
3/3: What Did You Notice As You Answered The Questions?
Share feelings, thoughts, inspirations…
Final question. Please share in the comments below.
The first question made me feel hopeful and uplifting yet unclear because it didn’t point to a specific position/job/career. On one hand I feel fortunate that my desires could lead to multiple different positions/jobs/careers, but that is also a negative.
The first part of the second question was uplifting and insightful. However, how that translate in who I want to be – it is hard to translates those into my own personal actions of who I want to be.
So a mix of positive, uplifting and angst and uncomfortable with the disconnect of today.
I felt a wide variety of things, some positive and some negative.
-I realized possibly my biggest strength is my ability to improve processes
-I have a strong desire to provide exceptional customer experiences
-Many of the items I wrote down have been desires for many years, that possibly have compounded over the years, leading me to the state I am currently in
-I have a strong desire to do more traveling
-I have a lack of presence in the moment
-How much I value friendships
-I have been consumed by worrying lately, without taking the actions necessary to rectify some of the situations
-I have desires that I have the knowledge and skills to rectify but lack the self-discipline to do successfully change
-I do possess many of the qualities that I would want and that I value
-How overwhelmed I feel (and have for many years)
-That I may need professional help to relieve my feelings
-I need to revisit some of my notes that I have from my attempts to seek life clarity in the past
-I’m feeling inspired to change multiple things in my life, starting with a few simple things
The first question was helpful in giving me an amazing, positive vision, but the path to get there feels intimidating and uncertain. Creating the vision really is a great experience. It was encouraging and rings true to my inner self.
I had to think about the questions for a while before I could articulate what I wanted. I needed to spend some quiet time reflecting, praying, and reading the Bible to try to discern God’s voice and who He made me to be. The important values and virtues flowed out of my desire for the quality of life and relationships I long for, as lessons learned from experience in what happens when these values are lacking. I was reminded of Psalm 37-3-4: “Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Looks some something maybe of an eastern religion, maybe mystic?
I’m still searching for where I belong professionally. I am still trying to pinpoint what I want or where I want to be. Still trying to articulate what impassions me the most. I still see myself more as a set of skills, talents and experiences. I still do not envision a path for my next chapter.
I feel conflicted because I do know what I’d like to do (at least right now) but the path to get there is very uncertain and I don’t deal well with uncertainty. The first question helped give me an end-point; however, the path to that end-point is filled with potential obstacles
i felt as if i have a chance to voice myself without being interrupted by someone or something to distracting me of what i know is true to be. i felt as i had someone that can completely grasp my vision and has been waiting for someone to fight there way to speak and silence the negative and let the for once that environment be filled with possibility and for new, and a greenhouse for the one listening to feel as though fear had been extinguished and hope and belief can take root. I didn’t feel as if i was crazy of what i was thinking, or felt i was going to be ambushed to have my self image jeopardized by being in a room of people that know i have high self image, i didn’t feel as if someone in the room or something in the area was intimidated by me and felt an interruption or distraction was needed to cut communication from the speaker and the listener. i felt as if this was a useful exercise to express without having to make sure i wasn’t putting myself in harms way or putting others in harms way by being a threat.
This small exercise is making me realize the value in this type of introspection and that it is a good path to CLARITY as we go forward in life. I am realizing this is more helpful then one may think. I have never been one to set goals and have always had a “shoot from the hip” approach, which has not provided a very fulfilling future. I do see value in this exercise, thank you.
Questions really caused me to conduct some introspection, did not expect it
Did help in prioritizing what you want to accomplish now, vs 10 years down the line, what you are appreciative for and what you need to work on
Like others it gave you a vision, flash back and forward that helped motivate you and put things in perspective
Thanks for that
I noticed that those things I desire are not out of reach, but have not been attained due to my life-long problem of procrastination. I felt (for at least a moment), that those things I want are at hand…yet still out of reach.
There was a knot in my stomach and a small burst of joy in my heart. I became momentarily light-headed. A combination of want, need, and belief battled within me; Then the question of “can I?” took center stage again.
The fear of this quest crawled inside me, but the knowledge of possibility surrounds me. I know it can be done…I know I “want” to do it. Now what?
Answering the questions was like goal setting, but I am skeptical about attaining them. I have things I want, but not the faith that they will happen. It’s a journey to get there, but not an easy one.
What did you notice as you answered the questions? (feelings, thoughts, inspirations)
One thing I’ve realized is that I have let fear make some of my decisions for me, I think I have some ideas that I want to pursue, but then I start to back pedal and talk myself out of it…not qualified…lacking some skills…I tell myself that due to my age, an employer will want someone younger.
I don’t know if these questions affected me significantly but I can tell you one thing: I have been thinking more along these lines for the last month than I have in the past. These questions have helped give me some vocabulary and articulation of where I am today.
I don’t know if I am encouraged or scared. More the former than the latter, I dare say. I have often been stifled by fear, second guessing or rationalization or concern of not being “practical.”
Yet the exercise is good. I have the choice: fight or flight. Which one? Hmmmmmmm……..
What I noticed with these questions is that I am focused on the positive qualities that I strive for everyday no matter the situation. It makes me more confident as myself as an individual who can exude these qualities.
What I noticed was that thus far in life, I have been successful, have taken several riska and have come out “alright”… Thinking and answering these questions has created a new found source of energy and confidence that I will once again succeed in this new chapter in life… Look out world- Here I come again!!!
I have increased clarity on my strengths and opportunities. I feel empowered to work towards the goals I’ve set for myself, but still uncertain about how to overcome some of my obstacles….like facing my critical self, increasing my risk-taking, not letting other people easily get under my skin, and believing in my ability to get a job when I can’t seem to get an interview in this impersonal process of applying for jobs on-line.
Loved having the time to reflect on the questions, and pull out my strengths and deep seated values. Thought about several past experiences that made me thrilled to be alive and engage with others all over the world. Remembered times of love and laughter. I am more grounded and solid than I often credit myself to be. I know who I am and what I want but sometimes find it difficult to communicate that to others in a concrete way. Financial freedoms looks like a recurring theme in my life.
What a gift to have this time for reflection!
It’s clear I have a vision of where I want to be. What I noticed is that I don’t have a “set vision” of how I will get there, it’s very open but I feel alright with that for now. Knowing where/what I want to “get to” seems like a good start. It feels good and exciting to just take these steps, to start reflecting on my future hopes and dreams. It makes me feel hopeful/invigorated that the answers/solutions can appear. I know I’ve been at this kind of juncture before in my life and I succeeded in find good answers. So I’m looking forward to doing that again, hopefully with more clarity this time and maybe more understanding on how and why.
I noticed that it wasn’t so easy to answer these thought provoking questions. I found it hard a times to dig under the veneer to tap into who I really am or who I aspire to be. It is hard to step outside of your “current” self since you’ve spent so much time being a certain way.
Thinking about the future isn’t easy/ The only thing that I realize as I get older is that I have changed. What was important to be 10 or 20 years ago is far less important to me today. Life is really about your relationships – with your family, friends, and colleagues. I think that too often I have taken things for granted.
Answering these questions made me think about my parents who have both passed away. I know that I would have done some things differently knowing what I know now vs what I know at the time when they were retired and I had a young family to provide for.
The first question made me feel hopeful and uplifting yet unclear because it didn’t point to a specific position/job/career. On one hand I feel fortunate that my desires could lead to multiple different positions/jobs/careers, but that is also a negative.
The first part of the second question was uplifting and insightful. However, how that translate in who I want to be – it is hard to translates those into my own personal actions of who I want to be.
Although it was hard work for me to answer the questions, it helped me realize what I want to change about myself, and I feel encouraged and capable of reaching my goals.
I had been thinking about the 1st question for the last day or so, and it’s basic premise. Well, the last day as well as the last year (on repeat in my head!) so I’m pretty familiar with a lot of it. But it’s all getting me closer to clarity about what I’m doing, I’m feeling more confident around it than I ever have.
The 2nd one I was a little surprised at first with not just my answer but the passion that I felt around it. Though I know full well it has a lot to do with the break up of my marriage. But even that is a gift – because I am so clear on where my bottom lines are now.
There are some situations, habits and skills that I need to build over time to get from today’s everyday to the future everyday I imagine. There’s a process ahead. Creating what I want won’t be BOOM it’s done.
I felt stuck or as if I am not moving fast enough to be and do what I want. I was surprised to feel so certain about wanting to write.
FEAR! For some reason I don’t believe anything I say about myself anymore. I was also excited as I still can hope for the better me. I want to be the person I describe, despite my misgivings.
I felt a difficult combination of hope and fear. I have hope that I may become the person I want to be. Avoidance is my operating mode. Even answering these questions can be totally overwhelming. The hope comes from the fact that I have no choice but to act.
I was thinking of Robert Frost “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
What did you notice as you answered the questions? (feelings, thoughts, inspirations)
I noticed the consistency of my life…my goals have been the same from childhood. I have just not actualized them in the way I visualize them. I have always wanted to work with children who have been poorly loved/abused/neglected.
In my own way I have, raising two younger brothers who had been abused/abandoned, my first and favorite job was supporting undeserved youth, volunteering for organizations with missions aligned with loving care, and even in business–striving to manage in ways that both nurtured people’s confidence and growth.
All that said, I have a longing to more directly actualize more of my goals in this area[My Rwanda]. As the sole earner for my family, I have always worked in business environments (which I have greatly enjoyed most of the time) and as a result don’t feel l have achieved my dreams. Honestly, I still don’t see myself able to work full time in altruistic endeavors for at least several more years for financial reasons (although I’d be willing to challenge that belief). but each decade I say, “if not now, when?”…And–I have a potential challenge on the horizon that may take my full attention.
I also noticed that the goals I have for self care and growth have eluded me and elude me still…they are the last things I give attention to (e.g. exercise, meditation, etc.)
I did not realize how full blown a vision of my ideal down the road future was! That vision is so wonderful that I really want to make that happen but that brings me to the BIG CHALLENGE which is identifying and securing work that is consistently rewarding on a personal and monetary basis. I have loved the flexibility of having my own business. Small business owners tend to work all the time…and since project based income is often inconsistent there is always a feeling I should be doing more. I have come to believe I am better suited to working within a structure and more importantly I love working with a team and/or a group of people.
So the first question brought up a mixture of excitement and anxiety. I am now reminding myself I am taking steps forward. Persistence will pay off.
I felt both excited and anxious! I did not realize my vision of my ultimate future self was so clear! The BIG CHALLENGE for me is how to get there. My short fall is identifying a kind of work that I have the talent, skills and experience to land a job in. I have always felt my talents were that of a generalist –great to have around but hard to express the value of to others. Over my life I have seldom looked for a job but rather gotten drawn directly into a job via a recommendation. I am very grateful to have access to the resources and people at ProMatch and Nova to help guide me. I keep reminding myself that persistence and focus will pay off. This workshop is a next step!
I was thinking how I’ve said these things before and I never seem to get there.
I noticed that it was actually difficult for me to provide these answers. It took some introspection and soul-searching and quite some time… Seems I’ve been become jaded or resigned in ways. These are just the initial layers peeled back.
Coincidentally (seems there are no coincidences) I had a mentoring session with a great coach today and the discussion was much along the lines of these questions – I was given examples of people who re-discovered and accessed talents that they had suppressed for various reasons – and became wildly successful using those talents and interests. So I’m much more inspired to continue digging in.
I feel grateful for what I have. I am thankful for this life and for all the experiences. I am hopeful I will tide over the current difficulties and that at the end the delta between the ideal and the reality will be reduced and I am able to work to grow personally towards my ideal self.