I have now officially been ‘non employed’ for two weeks. I have cleaned, run errands, and essentially learned to function with no set schedule or priorities other then keeping up with the house and meals. I think part of me thought I might immediately fall into writing and scheming and creating, but another part of me knew that I needed to just relax, which is what I ended up doing. I stayed busy, but I did not put any constraints or deadlines or expectations on the last two weeks. It was a nice change when I have spent the last 11 years at my career in a state of chronic to do lists and deadlines.
One aspect I really tried to concentrate on over this period was getting my mind going in a positive direction in all areas, especially in regards to career. I have read, meditated, chatted with someone who helps folks in this type of area (thank you to that person, do not know if they would want to be mentioned here…), and researched various techniques. It has become pretty apparent that my visualization skills need some work.
I have a vivid imagination, but if I think about it, most of my visualization occurs with me almost looking at it from a third person perspective. So I have been practicing getting more involved in my goals and plans. Becoming an active participant in my future imagined plans, and most of all, concentrating on the feeling of the moment. The joy, the happiness, the fulfillment, whatever it might be. For example, if my career goals revolve around helping someone, say with their pet, then how would that play out? Would it be an article, a seminar, a one on one training session? Once I determine the scenario, I have to take it to the next level. I need to imagine the feelings and emotions of that moment. What people would tell me, feedback they would give that would support my role. Practice feeling that emotion, letting it wash over me.
I will say discussing some of these issues with a third party has helped, I needed a new perspective to see what I was missing. Highly recommend if you are feeling stuck or slow in progressing.
I can look back over the last few months, and I can see some items that I was very clear on that truly did happen as I planned. While other items, that I did not have a full complete picture over, are still where I left them, fuzzy and incomplete. For example, my last day of employment was November 2nd. Back in July and August, this date fell into place and really stuck with me. I saw the date over and over, and could totally picture myself not working at the company by this date. I could see myself handing in a letter of resignation and without even thinking about it I felt a sense of relief come over me. Well, as the time approached, I felt an urgency take me over that said I needed to fulfill that request. It was like I did not even have to think about it, the pieces fell into place and I completed this task without a second thought. I did not feel worry, upset, second guessing, it just happened.
On the other hand, while I have had great ideas about my future career paths, there has been a sense of indecision in the mix. I am making some progress, but there is not the feeling of confidence I am looking for. I have realized that an incomplete visualization is leading to only a partial realization of that intention. Essentially, I am getting exactly what I had planned for, funny how that works!
So upon seeing this, and changing some habits, my progress is now moving along much better and with more confidence. I am practicing my visualization each morning while meditating, and then throughout the day with quick mental checks of where I am at. I need to consistently feel the changes I would like to implement on multiple levels, and that is what I am practicing now.
All in all though, I am really enjoying myself. Its nice to feel relaxed and happy and in charge of my own future. Now I just have to work on putting all this new found peace to good use.
