Learning to align your work and True Self paths is like learning to drive for the first time. With things that are new and different, it helps to remember what it’s like to be a beginner.
Both of my boys have recently been learning to drive. Something as simple as staying in the center of a lane isn’t straightforward. Son: “where do I look when I’m going through a curve?” Dad: “whether the road is straight or curved, keep your eyes focused as far down the road as you can, on where you want to go.”
Great classic advice! Yes, it’s helpful to have career goals and focus on where you want to go, just like with driving.
Except when you talk about True Self aligned work, focus on the present moment must come first, before a focus on where you want to go.
We create what we pay attention to in the current moment. So if you focus on work that you experience as enjoyable, and choose work that is likewise enjoyable, you will create joy as you work.
If you don’t notice what is pleasurable in the present moment as you work, you will have no idea what ultimate career goals will create happiness and joy in your life.
Which assumes that you believe work can be pleasurable and enjoyable. The sad truth is that a majority of people believe that work in some way requires suffering or sacrifice. Work is often equated with survival ~ I need money from work to survive.
First, we need to believe it’s possible for work to be something other than suffering, sacrifice and survival. Next, we need to remember the true nature of our Best Selves and know that our work can and should be an expression of our authentic selves.
The first step in True Self aligned work, and thus the first step in IAMX, starts with our beliefs about ourselves and work. Our essential selves are gifted, energized and joyful. If we can’t see how we are essential now, we can’t travel down a path that results is happiness and joy ~ every day.
I agree with my husband’s advice to our boys about a ‘down the road’ focus to their driving. My advice has been about the need to be present: to come to driving well rested, with a mind free from distractions, feeling good about themselves and the driving skills they are developing. Both perspectives are needed!
And the power to create our work and life experiences exactly as we want rests in the present moment. A flip in perspective is needed with soul-aligned work, to focus first on how we are essential and second on where we are headed.
The True Self Process is the tool we use for making this flip. Here is a tool I’ve created which describes how to use the True Self process to begin aligning your Best Self and work, starting today.
In summary, the steps you’ll want to remember are:
- Focus on your Best Self. Your IAMX. You’ll know you’re on the right track when you are feeling happy, content, enough.
- Notice your thoughts. How often do you think ‘Best Self’ thoughts versus ‘Drama’ thoughts?
- Transform Drama. Ask yourself what a drama situation is telling you about what you really want.
The goal is to increase the amount of time you feel like you are living your Best Self, and to transform Drama into remembering more about your true identity, your IAMX. This is how you align your work with your essential self starting right now.
In the end, we know what happens to the driver who falls asleep at the wheel or becomes distracted. Staying in the present moment while driving is just important as in our careers!
Let us know how you are doing aligning your work and True Self paths…