Somewhere in a parallel universe, the parallel-universe you is writing down all her life goals and tackling them one by one. She’s got vision, she’s got focus, and she’s got the determination to bring her big ideas to life.
Does she have a partner, a job, or needy children? Maybe, it’s hard to tell. What is clear is that she carves out enough time every week or two to think about her personal plans for making her dreams come true.
I call this finding your focus.
I’ve spent many days over the last 10 years finding my focus in order to grow my business. If I didn’t have days like that, I’d still be photographing weddings (not working in the amazing glamour and boudoir studio I built). Finding your focus allows you to step outside of your day-to-day responsibilities and think long term: what do you want to be doing next? How will you get there?
You can find your focus by doing a lot of things. You can read a good book, do your taxes, or listen to a podcast. Today, though, I want you to plan your future. Where do you see yourself in the next 5, 10, 15 years? Do you have career, health, or personal goals? What steps do you need to take in order to achieve these goals? Remember our self-care activity from day one? Make a list, girl. Get started.
- Do a SWOT analysis. List your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. I’m a believer in focusing on your strengths to determine what suits you best, but you have to know where all the things stand so that you know where to focus.
- List what motivates you
- List your knowledge, skills, and experience
- List your transferable skills
No one else is going to focus and plan your future for you. Not even the parallel-universe you; she’s focused on her own thing. Of course, you can’t plan for everything life throws your way, but I’ve learned that when I think about the future by outlining some plans and giving myself goals, I’m able to dig myself out of a rut on those days when I’m feeling less inspired.
Like most self care activities, it helps if you can be alone with no distractions, but I’ve practiced this in all kinds of settings: coffee shops, the living room floor, hotel rooms during vacation. All you need is a pen and paper. Or, if you’re like me, a spreadsheet with multiple tabs. You can also create an inspiration board, if you’re that kind of gal. Whatever it takes to see your future more clearly.