Visualize the life you love and make it so
I have had the pleasure of working on horseback quite a bit this month gathering cattle. My horse app says I’ve ridden over a 100 miles. When I mention exactly what is involved to friends and family, they think I am crazy to embrace the lifestyle and the schedule. But throughout my life I know that if you really enjoy and love what you are doing, no matter how grueling, how physically and or mentally challenging the work is, you embrace it.
I am thrilled that for the past 20 years I’ve had the opportunity to work on some very large ranches in southern New Mexico and West Texas. Work is about finding your niche and doing something that truly “fits” you. Yes, I have had my share of jobs that I haven’t wanted to get out of bed for, but I had bills to pay. Most importantly, during those times it is important to seek out activities, people, support systems and direction in order to cope.
We all know the phrases, do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life and do what you love and the money will follow. Personally, I don’t think either of these phrases is completely true. Figuring out your strengths, weaknesses, values and what inspires you is key to finding work that satisfies you and hopefully pays the bills. What speaks to your heart when it comes to work? Does your work fit you mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically?
Consider taking the Myers-Briggs or the Enneagram personality test if you haven’t already done so to develop more insight into yourself. Some suggest remembering what you loved as a child and eliminating money from the equation to find work that brings you joy. Reflecting on my past I must wonder if some of my early experiences weren’t signs from a higher power that I did not acknowledge. Too often we underestimate the impact and the endurance of what happened to us in our earliest years. So — what to do, how to make all this work in the present? In the future?
I firmly believe that self-awareness is key to understanding and leading a fulfilling life. One way to cultivate more self-awareness is to begin and end your day with some quiet time, connecting with yourself through meditation, journaling or reflecting. Research suggests that when we see ourselves more clearly, we feel more confident and creative. We make sounder decisions, build stronger relationships, and communicate more effectively. Then practice mindfulness: observe your mindset during the day, pay attention to the present without judging yourself. Keep your mind at peace and consider visualization.
How do you visualize yourself in the future? Not just the job title. But what are you wearing to the job? Visualize what you are doing on a daily basis. Who are you interacting with? What does your house look like? Think of the self-visualization as a means to gain clarity about your future. Create a vision for yourself to utilize your time and talents. You have the reins to guide the horse to let the magic begin. It starts from within.
Feel free to share your thoughts with me at ashton@ashtoncannon.com.
Ashton Graham is an educator, book publisher, photographer, cowgirl and yoga enthusiast. She is currently studying to become a certified yoga therapist and lives on a ranch in West Texas. Visit www.ashtoncannon.com to learn more.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Visualize the life you love and make it so
