Just Be

What would your life look like if you focused less on what you were meant to “do” and cared more about creating the kind of person you want to be? This episode will give you tips on how to focus more on “being” instead of “doing.” Each and every day you have the power to create your future self! What are you doing now to become who you want to be tomorrow?

Stop waiting for joy and fulfillment to come into your life, and start creating it!

Here are four practical ways to get you started:

1. Notice what you are feeding yourself that will one day grow into your future self.

2. Acknowledge the POWER you have to choose the direction of your life.

3. Talk with people you admire who live lives more focused on “being” than “doing,” and ask them how they do it!

4. Write down everything about who you want to be.

“If you want to be something you’ve never been, you have to do something you’ve never done.”

Podcast Transcript:

Since this is the first podcast episode of The Dreamer’s Nest, it would be really easy for me to make it all about my story and introduction. Telling you about who I am, why you should listen, and all about my accomplishments thus far that give me credibility to speak on various life coaching topics, but if I did that, this episode would not at all align with what I want this podcast to be about. This podcast is about YOU! I want you to walk away from each episode feeling better than what you did before you started listening. And I don’t want this to be just about a “good feeling.” I want you to experience value that you can easily apply to your everyday life. So, I do plan to tell you a little more about myself in each episode when it relates to the topics, but I want to dive right into the value!

I can’t tell you how many times I hear from people that they still don’t know what they are meant to do in life. They think they missed out and that everyone else has it figured out but them. But I often challenge this type of thinking and encourage a shift from thinking, “What do I want to do?” To thinking “Who do I want to BE?”

You see, some people land their dream jobs, but when you don’t, it’s not as if your world is on pause until you do. You still have a choice each and every day to become the person you were created to be. Then, your fulfillment doesn’t ride on circumstances — which are always unreliable.

Some people think that knowing who they are is simply knowing what you like and don’t like — interests, hobbies, skills. But knowing who you are can be experienced on a really deep level! It answers the questions “Why do I think and feel this way?” “Why do I react to {blank} in this way? “Why does this come easily to me but that doesn’t?” The answers for “being” are centered around life experience and your unique design.

What you believe about yourself on the inside is what manifests on the outside. This is why it’s important to strive for a mind that is focused on “being” rather than “doing.”

Of course, you can’t live a life void of all action. “Doing” is an important component, but it should be based on actions that align with getting you one step closer to the life you were created to live. For me, I am a Christ-follower. I know that He created me as someone who is worthy, loved, and as someone who is supposed to spread that love to others and share with them the Gospel of truth. But I also know that He created me as a unique being with gifts unlike anyone else. To serve Him in the greatest capacity, I have worked towards discovering those gifts and understanding the blueprint of my being.

Think about someone you look up to. Why do you look up to him or her? Is it because of the accomplishments or the person she is? Sure, accomplishments are impressive and that could be part of the reason you strive to be like someone, but if someone is all accomplishments and lacks integrity, wisdom, or overall good character, you will find that you don’t exactly want to follow him anymore! So, if you want to make a difference in this world, live with purpose, or be a gift to your community in some way, I challenge you to focus on the “being” side of life.

Remember that who you have been in the past does not have to define who you are now. We will talk in future episodes about how to develop a growth mindset that removes you from the captivity of your past. However, do know that the way you choose to live your life each day DOES impact your future in some way, so be sure you are forming habits and a mindset that creates the life you want for yourself.

So how can we do that? Here are four practical ways to get you started:

1. Notice what you are feeding yourself that will one day grow your future self.

What are you watching and reading? What information are you taking in? What activities do you participate in? Who do you surround yourself with? All of the answers to these questions impact who you are.

2. Acknowledge the power you have to choose.

So often we go through life thinking that life happens TO us and we don’t really have a choice. Circumstantially we don’t always have a choice, but we do have a choice about what thoughts we think, and that impacts our feelings, the actions we take based on our feelings, and the results we are left with. We will discuss how thoughts impact feelings in another episode, but for now, know that you have the power to choose the direction of your life.

I am someone who struggles with anxiety and have even battled depression on a few occasions. It’s hard for me to admit that because society has a way of making people like me feel weak, but I’m learning to acknowledge the power I have. When I’m going through depression, I feel hopeless. I lay there at night and think of all the ways I have no hope. I think of my failures. I think of my regrets or the ways I’m a disappointment. My thoughts eat me alive from the inside out, and I have often let it happen! The only way I have ever been able to get out from under the dark cloud is when I choose to remember the power I have and I feed myself a new story. “I am healthy and strong. I am capable of impacting the world for good. I am creative and smart. I am a sacrificial and nurturing mother. I am a loyal wife.” I repeat things that lift me up over and over until my brain decides to believe them. And when I can’t tell myself these things, I ask my tribe to remind me. You see, all of those things are WHO I AM! And they are powerful enough to save me from drowning some days.

3. Talk with people you admire who live lives more focused on “being” than “doing” and ask them how they do it!

We can all learn from each other and, trust me, when someone is living a life of fulfillment and joy, they will absolutely want to pass on what works for them and watch their joy spread to others!

4. Write down everything about who you want to be.

Notice the qualities in others that you want to develop and write them down. Notice who you already are and write it down so you can continue nurturing those parts of you. Write down patterns and themes in your life that uncover bits and pieces of your unique being and take some time to explore! If you feel stuck, ask those who you are closest to you to speak into your life. You can ask things like, “What three words come to mind when you think about me?” Or “If you were to hear that I made a huge impact on the world, what do you think I would have done?” Hearing feedback from others will hopefully give you the jumpstart you need to your own self-discovery.

Book a free call here to learn more about partnering with a High-Performance Coach and how I can provide accountability to your big goals!