What were you doing earlier today? What are you doing right now? What are you doing with your life?
How many times throughout the day, week or month do you respond, “I don’t know”? Think about it for a moment.
If you are like most people, you may have lost count after the first ten, right? So, let me ask…why don’t you know? Have your daily tasks become automatic? Are you bored and unmotivated? Has your resistance worn you down?
Being aware of what you are doing is a fundamental step in aligning your family, business and life. As you increase your awareness, you better understand your motivations, purpose and potential. You begin to consciously create your life with purposeful action.
So, how do you become more aware? Go to the experts, that’s how! In this instance, though, solid information won’t be delivered by your friend, colleague or even mentor or coach. No, this time, the expert is you.
You are the expert when it comes to your motivators, purpose and potential. You live with(in) yourself day in and day out. That’s 60 minutes an hour, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. There is no one closer to you than you! You hold all your own answers; you just need to activate your awareness to know the questions to ask.
To activate your awareness, consider:
Know who and where you are.
Identify who and where you are in this moment. Consider important influences in your daily life such as family, friends, finances, fun, spirituality, and work. What is it in your life that directs you to feel what you feel and behave as you behave? This understanding offers not just the opportunity to consciously choose what aspects of you life you’d like to change.
Know who and where you want to be.
If you could glimpse into a crystal ball and see your ideal life, what would it look like? Be creative and think big. There are no limitations here. Be sure to consider all aspects of your life including family, recreation, where you live, volunteer work, career – whatever you can think of that makes your heart spark. This awareness illuminates your purpose and direct you to say “I know exactly why I am doing this!”
Consciously create habits of character.
We are creatures of habit. Consciously creating habits that support rather than limit you is essential in squashing the “I don’t knows.” The habits that support are habits of character. The five habits that build and strengthen your foundation are Gratitude, Responsibility, Integrity, Unity and Service. These five habits direct your actions at home, work and beyond for ultimate success.
From the moment you wake in the morning to the time you lay your head to rest at night, direct your actions with enlightened awareness. Doing so will open you, your family and your business to a world of possibilities – a world of inspiration.
Imagine the possibilities. They are so vast that it makes you think that everyone should take steps to become more aware. I agree. Why aren’t they doing it?
Well, my friend, I don’t know.
Julie Watson Smith is respected leadership mentor dedicated to building strong communities of character that empower children to become tomorrow’s leaders today. In addition to being a sought-after speaker and trainer and certified character education specialist, Julie has created several programs that help children and their families turn leadership into a lifestyle through five essential habits of character.
Julie has also created the Character Coach program for those interested in a turnkey business opportunity. To sign up for Julie’s weekly ezine or to subscribe to her blog, visit her online at www.CharacterInc.com.
21 Comments
Great post and what I needed to hear. I was a little low on gratitude today and I think that was making my day feel heavy. Being grateful for all I have accomplished so far and the wonderful things that have come into my life is lightening my load. It's easy to feel down when you have to work on taxes all day 🙂
Hi Julie, lovely article! I've put a note with the 5 habits that build a foundation on my desk where i can see it 🙂
Good morning, MOMeos! Anyone else feeling a bit of the “I don't know's” creeping in today? I feel a few coming in. I woke this morning feeling a little a scared about a new class I'm teaching to 60 high school seniors. I didn't know how to help my son's with his fractions homework. (Forget “Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader;” I'm struggling to keep up with my 3rd grader!) I was also struck with a big “I don't know” when I couldn't figure out how to fix my kiddos toilet. It doesn't matter what the “I don't know's” are, though. I always come back to the 3 points above: know who and where I am, know who and where I want to be and to continue to develop habits of character. All three guide me to my next step.
So, what are your “I don't know's”?
Good morning, Andrea! It can be tough to move forward when we feel weighed down with “I don't know's” The habit of gratitude certainly helps to squash those doubts while also lightening the load to move forward.
BTW, I spent the past few days working on taxes so I understand where you are coming from. Working from a place of gratitude certainly helped make the process easier.
Thank you for your kind words, L! I have the 5 habits (also known as CharacterQ or Quintessential Character) posted above my desk as well. Actually I have them posted throughout the house. They definitely help to direct my thoughts, words and actions every day. It's wonderful how the habits help center children as well!
Great post and what I needed to hear. I was a little low on gratitude today and I think that was making my day feel heavy. Being grateful for all I have accomplished so far and the wonderful things that have come into my life is lightening my load. It’s easy to feel down when you have to work on taxes all day 🙂
Hi Julie, lovely article! I’ve put a note with the 5 habits that build a foundation on my desk where i can see it 🙂
Good morning, MOMeos! Anyone else feeling a bit of the “I don’t know’s” creeping in today? I feel a few coming in. I woke this morning feeling a little a scared about a new class I’m teaching to 60 high school seniors. I didn’t know how to help my son’s with his fractions homework. (Forget “Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader;” I’m struggling to keep up with my 3rd grader!) I was also struck with a big “I don’t know” when I couldn’t figure out how to fix my kiddos toilet. It doesn’t matter what the “I don’t know’s” are, though. I always come back to the 3 points above: know who and where I am, know who and where I want to be and to continue to develop habits of character. All three guide me to my next step.
So, what are your “I don’t know’s”?
Hello
I hear you on being low on gratitude! I'm sick and feeling rather grumpy today!
Thank you Julie for sharing your 'I don't know's' and letting us know that it's okay for them to creep in. The important part is having a strategy in place to deal with them.
I find I struggle with 'I don't know's' when I'm sick (like today), or tired (from sleepless nights with the kiddo) or just out of sorts.
I love that you shared a methodology to step back into your purpose because when you are in the middle of it, it's hard to come up with a solution on your own because in all likelihood, the answer would be “I don't know!”
I hear you on being low on gratitude! I’m sick and feeling rather grumpy today!
Thank you Julie for sharing your ‘I don’t know’s’ and letting us know that it’s okay for them to creep in. The important part is having a strategy in place to deal with them.
I find I struggle with ‘I don’t know’s’ when I’m sick (like today), or tired (from sleepless nights with the kiddo) or just out of sorts.
I love that you shared a methodology to step back into your purpose because when you are in the middle of it, it’s hard to come up with a solution on your own because in all likelihood, the answer would be “I don’t know!”
Thank you for your kind words, L! I have the 5 habits (also known as CharacterQ or Quintessential Character) posted above my desk as well. Actually I have them posted throughout the house. They definitely help to direct my thoughts, words and actions every day. It's wonderful how the habits help center children as well!
Hi Andrea! It can be tough to move forward when we feel weighed down with “I don't know's” The habit of gratitude certainly helps to squash those doubts while also lightening the load to move forward.
BTW, I spent the past few days working on taxes so I understand where you are coming from. Working from a place of gratitude certainly helped make the process easier.
Thanks, Carla. Truth is nobody knows everything; we all have “I don't know's.” Rather than feel defeated by them, we must learn to see them as an indicator to step back into our flow.
Hi Andrea! It can be tough to move forward when we feel weighed down with “I don’t know’s” The habit of gratitude certainly helps to squash those doubts while also lightening the load to move forward.
BTW, I spent the past few days working on taxes so I understand where you are coming from. Working from a place of gratitude certainly helped make the process easier.
Thank you for your kind words, L! I have the 5 habits (also known as CharacterQ or Quintessential Character) posted above my desk as well. Actually I have them posted throughout the house. They definitely help to direct my thoughts, words and actions every day. It’s wonderful how the habits help center children as well!
Thanks, Carla. Truth is nobody knows everything; we all have “I don’t know’s.” Rather than feel defeated by them, we must learn to see them as an indicator to step back into our flow.
Pingback: uberVU - social comments