“There are some things one can only achieve by a deliberate leap in the opposite direction.” - Franz Kafka
I’m exhilarated at the prospect of 2013. My world is poised for big change, and I foresee the most awesome chapter of my life (yet) taking place in 2013.
2012 has been a tremendous year for me, on so many levels. I finally emerged from my 18-month-long depression. I had no idea how dark one’s world could get. It wasn’t easy dragging myself out of the murky depths of depression, but I did. Not only did I discover my inner strength again, I have started living a more purposeful life doing things I actually enjoy and believe in.
Having said that, I have days when the doubts and fear creep in, and I wonder for the millionth time whether my lofty goals are too lofty for my own good. Nonetheless, I find that taking continuous action keeps those fears at bay.
“Don’t be afraid of your fears. They’re not there to scare you. They’re there to let you know that something is worth it.” – C. JoyBell C.
So in the spirit of starting the New Year with positive actions, here are 5 simple but effective ways to dominate your world in 2013:
1. Allow Yourself to Dream Big
In May 2012, I decided that by the time I turned 35 years old (which was in September), I would be living a more meaningful life. So I quit my cushy and decently-paid corporate job to start my own business doing something I would actually enjoy and believe in. But I didn’t have a business plan or any idea what I was going to do.
What I did have was an iron-like determination to make it work, and it’s working so far! You can read about my entrepreneurial journey here. If it’s important enough to you, you will figure it out and find a way to make it work.
As Nelson Mandela said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
So go ahead and dream big. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain!
2. Stop Whining and Start Taking Action
Whining about something without taking decisive action is what most people do. And it also guarantees that nothing changes. If you started 2012 complaining about your job or problems with the world, but haven’t done anything about it, I’m betting you’ll start 2013 still complaining about the same things.
I worked in the corporate world for 10 years. During those 10 years I whined a great deal. At my last job, I started speaking up about the inefficiency and problems I encountered. I even suggested constructive measures to resolve some of those issues, but my ideas were perceived as too ‘different’. I couldn’t change the working culture in the organisation. So I decided to quit. 2 years of working there told me everything I needed to know.
If you’re miserable at your job but feel that you’re stuck and can’t do anything to change it, you are depriving yourself of the chance to do greater things with your life. Greatness exists in all of us. There’s always something you can do to change your circumstances.
“People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can’t find them, make them.” – George Bernard Shaw
You can either change your circumstances, or stop complaining and live with it. Though I would strongly encourage the first option.
Change your circumstances and pave a new path for yourself in 2013. You can.
3. Challenge Yourself to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
When I quit my job without having a proper plan in place, I knew that I was putting myself in a position where I would have to figure it out or admit defeat. The money would run out at some point and I would have to crawl back to cubicle nation with my tail tucked firmly between my legs.
But the idea of giving up was an option I couldn’t accept. It was the daily reminder I needed to push through my fears, and in the first couple of months I was very afraid indeed.
I love this quote by Tom Hopkins: “Do what you fear most and you control fear.“
If you could conquer one major fear in 2013, what would it be? We are all capable of conquering our fears, sometimes all we need is some incentive. Imagine how sweet the victory would be for you to say ‘I did it!’. I overcame my fear of (……..)!
2013 can be the year you dominate that fear, if you choose to.
4. Have Fun!
Whoever advocated the idea that life should be a long, hard slog probably didn’t have much fun in his/her life.
I recently came across a great article to kick-start the New Year. Bronnie Ware, an Australian nurse who spent several years caring for dying patients, recorded the top 5 regrets her patients had at the end. Among the top most common regrets was ‘I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.’ You can read the full article here.
Working hard is important, but so is having fun. Too many people spend their lives being stressed, overworked, doing things out of obligation rather than choice, and not enjoying living at all. Eleanor Roosevelt said it beautifully:
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
There’s a huge difference between existing and living. Are you having fun in your life? You deserve to. It adds a whole new dimension to your world.
Go. Have Fun. Live.
5. Visualise Happiness
What is your definition of happiness?
Visualise it. Close your eyes and imagine your happy place, memorable moments or what happiness means in your world. Allow your mind to explore that space, to fill you with the sensations of being in that place or state.
You will instantly start to feel happier. Your mind responds to mental images whether it’s real or imaginary. Hence the phrase ‘It’s all in your mind.’
“Our brains cannot tell the difference between something we vividly imagine and something we actually experience.” – Tony Robbins
Visualise happiness often enough, and you will start feeling and living it on a daily basis. Your world will start looking a hundred times more beautiful. My depression made me realise a fundamental truth: our perceptions shape our reality.
It takes practice to get into the flow of it, but if I can do it, I’m sure you can too.
Make 2013 the year you start living your full potential, and more.
Go. Dominate Your World.
With lots of love
Lindy xx
PS A heartfelt thank you to all you awesome folks who take the time to read my blog. I am always touched by the lovely comments I get. Here’s to the best year yet for all of us!
