Get back into the driver's seat and start creating your life
Would you believe me if I told you that Michelle Obama went to law school by accident?
Recently, I found my notes from when I attended her Becoming tour. She shared that writing the book required her to deeply reflect on her journey and when she looked back on her young adult life, she realized that she was too busy going through her to-do list that she never slowed to consider what she wanted. She further emphasized the importance of reflection - of slowing down to stop and consider where we are, what we want, and how to move forward…
Your life is a reflection of you, your work, your career.
Your wealth, your health, your relationships. All aspects of your life are a reflection of you who are, how you are showing up, who you are being.
Your thoughts become your beliefs, leading to action, habits, and behaviours. The question is:
How much of what you’re putting out there reflects what you want?
If you keep missing the mark on your goals, feel dissatisfied with the life you’re living, or simply desire more for yourself and those around you, this is your call to get into the driver’s seat. To turn off cruise control and play a more active role. To move from living a life of reaction and towards one of creation (it blew my mind when I learned that those two words have the exact same letters in them…).
When we live in reaction, we allow life to happen to us.
When we live in creation, we make life happen for us.
The path of your future has yet to be paved and each day you have the opportunity to stand in choice. To create your life. To choose your future. You have agency; in other words, access to the belief that you have the ability to make things happen.
How then, do we shift into creation?
How do we move into inspired and intentional action easily and effortlessly?
We make the time to reflect.
We make space to consider what is happening in our minds (thoughts), our beliefs (the thoughts we believe to be true) and our actions (the habits, behaviours and activity that are a result of our beliefs).
It doesn’t have to require a large commitment of time, but it does require a commitment to yourself. To clear space on the calendar. To create a quiet place. To eliminate the distractions. To focus on you.
After all, the first step in accelerating our path to our goals is slowing down.
Whether you take time to pause and reflect quarterly, mid-year, or once-a-year, dedicating time to this practice can be powerful.
It allows us to ground ourselves in what’s good, in gratitude, in appreciation of ourselves and our efforts. It is humbling and restoring, leading us to feel inspired by none other than ourselves. We are able to realign with our purpose, strengths, and skills, and gain clarity on how to put them into action with intention.
Start here:
Highlight Reel to restore agency and choice: List 30 experiences, accomplishments, or results, you want to acknowledge and celebrate (keep writing until you have 30!).
3 questions to connect to your strengths and to create forward momentum with clarity and focus. Consider who you are being, how you are showing up and contributing that is feeling good to you and lights you up.
What worked well?
What do I want more of?
What did the year/month/quarter give me? What am I grateful for?
Take your answers and let them be your guide; a reminder that you always had and always have the ability to make anything happen.
Carpe diem.
Go get ‘em.
Now that you’ve reflected on how far you’ve come, it’s up to you to see how far you’ll go.
Kirsten Schmidtke is a professional coach, speaker, and lover of lake life. She works with leaders, creators, and entrepreneurs to help them up-level their careers, businesses, and lives. Are you ready to explore what’s possible for you? Contact Kirsten to start the conversation!
