Where to Begin?

January is the king of months for those looking to make new beginnings. After the reflections and indulgences of December, the excitement of a new year unfolding brings contemplation of better days ahead.

Unfortunately for many, contemplation is where the party ends. As the clock ticks over into February and then unwinds into March, hopes of transformation begin to fade, the habits of old return, together with the routines of years past. Not because of a lack of enthusiasm or good intentions mind you, but rather a lack of knowing where to start.

The best place to start.

What I am going to say now may sound radical as well as a little simplistic, but the best place for you to start is from exactly where you are right now. Take some time to actually let these words sink in, as they contain the seeds of your own personal greatness.

'If only'.

You've probably caught yourself contemplating at one stage or another what it would be like 'if only' you could start somewhere else. I know that I have felt this way at various stages in the past. The type of internal ponderings I am talking about here are things such as 'if only I'd gone to University', 'if only my parents hadn't got divorced', 'if only I had more experience', then maybe, just maybe I'd have what it takes to go after my dreams.

If you find yourself engaging in this kind of dialogue, then start to build your awareness around it. Regardless of the experiences that you've either had to relish or endure in the past, they have given you one magical ingredient. They have prepared you for now. All your disappointments, triumphs, hopes and fears have brought you to this moment. In acknowledging and accepting them as they are, you consciously begin to reclaim your power to take control of your own life.

Know where you want to go.

Once you have accepted where you are, you have to decide where it is you want to go. If no particular course of action immediately resonates with you, then begin to more fully explore the things that you enjoy doing most. Think about what your life would be like if you spent more of your life experiencing the things that you really love. We all have the power to achieve this within us, you just have to be prepared to be open to it.

If on the other hand you're not enjoying anything at this present time in life then it is time for you to start being a little more experimental. Begin to do things that you've never done before. Enroll on a photography course, strike up a conservation with someone you don't know or go and spend some time in nature. Make sure whatever you choose to do is outside of your present comfort zone. When you continually broaden your experience of life, you create the opportunities necessary to re-ignite your passion for living.

What are you prepared to change?

To get from where you are now to where you want to go you have to go through a process of transformation. It doesn't mean you have to change everything all at once but it does mean you have to change. Take some to time to think about what it is you are 'prepared' to change in order to move in the direction of your dreams. So many of us focus on what we feel we 'should' change. For example, if you are a smoker and for whatever reason you feel it is something you 'should' change, just ask yourself whether it is something you are 'prepared' to change. As soon as you are 'prepared' to change, you will find a way to give up smoking forever.

Find support.

When you are making changes in your life one of the most important things you can do is find yourself support. Support can come in many different forms. It may come in the form of an inspirational book, a workshop, a community group, an evening class, a trusted friend or family member, a work mentor, a personal trainer, a website forum or even a coach. Whatever the source, make sure that it feels comfortable for you, not just at an intellectual level but also from an intuitive level as well.

Having your essential support structures in place will give you the confidence to stride boldly in the direction of your dreams. All you have to do next is start from exactly where you are.

Copyright Damien Senn 2005. All rights reserved.

About the Author: Damien Senn is a Life and Business Coach as well as a fully qualified Chartered Accountant. He helps professionals, artists and entrepreneurs create compelling futures.

He is the author of the 'Senn-Sational Success Journal' and has developed his own coaching model called the 'Senn-Sational Success System'.

For more information see http://www.senn-sational.com or email ezines@senn-sational.com.

---

3 Easy Steps to Low Stress Communication

Life is all about choices. And so is the way... Read More

The Self Development Tool Box

Do you have a self-development toolbox? Do you have a... Read More

What Dost Thou Speaketh? Hey, Affirm This Way!

Articulating repetitive statements with emotion will inevitably connect you to... Read More

How to Control Your Anger: Retreat and Think Things Over

How to Control Your Anger: Retreat and Think Things OverJim... Read More

A Call To Do Better

I'm calling you out. Issuing a Challenge. Relax, It's not... Read More

Making Changes in Your Personal Life

Making changes in your personal life can be a tough... Read More

Whats in it for me if I Hire A Coach?

1. An unshakable foundation:Create and build your life from the... Read More

How To Overcome Stuck States In Personal Growth

Although many of us use self-help tools like affirmations, visualizations,... Read More

How to Forgive Another for Past Hurts

No one gets through life without being hurt by another... Read More

So Why Are They Really Here?

It does make you wonder sometimes, doesn't it? You know... Read More

Executive Coaching ? Finding a Coach and Understanding the Process

Nobody in business can fail to have noticed the recent... Read More

How Could Choosing to Not Do It All Enhance Your Impact?

How often have you heard yourself say, "I've got so... Read More

Should I Get A Coach?

Why should or would someone hire a life coach? Well,... Read More

A Visualization Exercise on Managing Expectations for Adults with ADD

As adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), we often find... Read More

Its Only Adult ADD-What A Relief!

For most of her fifty years, Barbara was at war... Read More

Change the Words and Change the World

Excerpt From The Relationship Handbook: How to Understand and Improve... Read More

The Amazing Secret To Ridding Yourself Of Self Consciousness

One of the biggest challenges to developing superior communication skills... Read More

One BIG Way To Increase Your Values and Self-Esteem

One hour here, two hours there, even fifteen minutes, it... Read More

Why Therapy Fails Sometimes

I saw a couple for marriage counseling this week, and... Read More

Just Listen, Please!

When did you last do that? When did you last... Read More

Is Your Life In Motion?

Ever since the Internet bubble and the 9/11 terrorist attacks,... Read More

Skills for Change

The name of the game is CHANGE -- that's true... Read More

The Fastest Way to Ruin Yourself

I don't know many people who would admit to wanting... Read More

An Example of Allowing a Desire to Arrive on Its Own

I don't know why, but it seems we trip over... Read More

Recreating Yourself

So it's time for a change. You've taken that hard... Read More

Worth Waiting For

Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 22,... Read More

Tripping On Mindfulness

One of the ironies of mindfulness is that it's still... Read More

Mind the Gap

The underground train in London can get you anywhere when... Read More

Voice Care for Coaches

Coaches rely heavily on their voice to service clients. If... Read More

How Stella (Laurie) Got Her Groove Back!

Being a Life Strategy Coach doesn't mean I'm always on... Read More

Coaches, Do You Make These 7 Deadly Cash Flow Mistakes in Your Practice?

Managing cash flow is every small business owner's most important... Read More

3 Secrets to Developing Superior People Skills

1. If What You Are Doing Is Not Working Change... Read More

Parts that Make the Whole? or Not

There are many parts that make up you.There's the Musical... Read More