Director's Message: Two more secrets to the ideal job and life

In the last issue of the RDH eVillage, I wrote about creating a framework, and provided actionable exercises to assist you in creating a plan that will inspire you towards your desired goal(s). So let’s review the first and second steps and then continue with the third and fourth steps.

Summary of Steps

1. What is your professional vision? Using the mind and body, thoughts and actions to tap into the essence of who you are and what you want for your life.
2. Set a career plan that is a well-defined roadmap that will get you from where you are now to where you want to be — with actions, timelines, and milestones.
3. Take action no matter what, strengthening your resolve by preparing in advance for how you will deal with setbacks.
4. Ask, believe, and receive, expecting that your vision will certainly manifest itself into reality.

Step 3: Take Action

Often, the first action step is the hardest one. This is when fear, doubt, and anxiety can take over. But no matter what, just get started. Do not wait for the “perfect” time as there is no perfect time. Make your first steps small so that you can get into the habit of action and score some successes under your belt.

Once you have begun this exciting journey toward your goals, do not let anything hinder your progress or force you to stop. Remain committed to the process. Action is habitual, so continuing to push forward will help you keep your momentum.

Expect obstacles. These temporary setbacks can be overcome with dedicated commitment. But without planning, unexpected roadblocks can bog you down or cause you to quit. Actually, there is an exciting learning experience in the obstacles if we look for it.

During this process check in with important sources such as family, friends, or your coach to help you keep the course. Let them know ahead of time where you might need their support.

Step 4: Ask, Believe and Receive!

Remember, whatever we focus on with our thoughts, beliefs, and attention will be drawn to our lives and manifested into reality. Even biblical principles have taught, “As we think, so we are.”

Ask: Your thoughts and feelings are actual energies that are projected onto others, and into the universe. We need to be aware of, and in control of, the energies that we project. What we ask for is what we will get, even if we are unaware of what we have been subconsciously asking for. If we want something different, we must exert our will and re-focus our attention. We need to understand what we want, ask for that, and stop projecting our thoughts about what we do not want.

Believe: In order to get to the essence of our core beliefs, we need to dig deeper. In fact, as much as 90% of our beliefs are hidden away in our subconscious mind. When you look honestly at how you have internalized your life's experiences — your failures and successes — you will probably discover some self-limiting beliefs. And as long as those are in place, you will prevent anything different from coming true. You need to develop a new set of positive and affirming beliefs, and repeat them in your mind until you whole-heartedly believe with all your mind, heart, and soul that the positive changes you see for yourself can be so.

Receive: Once you truly believe in your ability to achieve your vision, you can then allow it to become your reality. This is a key component for achieving your vision. We have to first ask, then believe that it can be so, and finally experience it.

You can do this by visualizing your dreams as if they are a reality. Regularly visualize yourself living out your desires. Experience this reality with all of your senses — taste, touch, sound, sight, smell. This process will help you to “receive” what it is you have set out to accomplish.

And that brings us “full circle” back to the beginning once again, to the power of the visioning process. It’s never finished to the point where you declare, “OK, I’m now officially finished achieving everything in my life!” Instead, the visioning system is more like peeling an onion; you continue to work your way through one layer after another, getting closer and closer to the infinite possibilities that lie within you. Each time that you successfully get to the next layer, you simply start the process again to go deeper toward creating the life you’ve always wanted.

It’s not about arriving at the final destination; it’s about learning, growing and enjoying the ride!

Kristine A. Hodsdon, RDH, MSEC
Director, RDH eVillage