"The things you want are always possible; it is just that the way to get them is not always apparent. The only real obstacle in your path to a fulfilling life is you, and that can be a considerable obstacle because you carry the baggage of insecurities and past experience." ~ Les Brown
Just as baggage holds down a relationship, so won't baggage weigh down your chances for a successful career or business. Without a balance between work and life your chances for sustainability in a happy career lessen. What does balance have to do with baggage? When you carry baggage such as insecurity, fear, and feelings of unworthiness, they tend to weigh heavily on your mind and keep you off center.
This unbalance keeps you from moving forward in productive ways and keeps you trapped in a painful rotation of self doubt both at home and at work. You fill your life with tasks that keep you from feeling, admitting, and connecting to the truth. These tasks keep you in a false paradigm where you strive to do more and to have more, but never quite get to where you think you are heading. You assume that if you just reach this next goal, you'd be content and satisfied. But are you?
Life's demands will fracture your attention and force you to focus on putting out fires, not what's important.
Here are three things you can do to ease into a baggage free and sustainable, happy career.
- Hire a Coach. Athletes, Singers, Artists and CEO's have them. Why shouldn't you? They are effective in helping you determine your priorities and co-creating space for you to develop the skill set for unpacking your baggage. Think of it as an investment and know that a good coach does not keep you as a client indefinitely. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Keep in mind, that not all coaches are for you. Coaches are like a good pair of jeans. Make sure that the one you choose is the right fit for you. If you try 3 and none of them work, try for a 4th and so on. The one that is right for you is out there. If expense is an issue, seek out group coaching opportunities.
- Be honest. REALLY honest. That's right, not the kind of honesty where you pick and choose what you want to share. Go there. That place that you hide because of shame, pain and feelings of unworthiness. Timothy Ferris said, "what we fear most is usually what we most need to do." Do more than face this side of you because when you shed light on fungus, the fungus can't grow. Only peace, confidence and productivity grows with honesty.
- Sit in silence. Turn off everything for a minimum of 15 minutes each day. Be kind to yourself if you are unable to do even a minute of silence. It will become easier with practice over time. You could be in your car, at work, during your break. The conference room that no one uses or under a tree where ever you happen to be. When you unplug from distractions and just be, you reconnect to the most important part of you, your core being.
You'll be amazed at the side effects. Be warned, you'll want more of this new way of living. Give yourself the gift of being baggage free. Your inner you, those that love you, and even your employer will thank you for it because you will be able to come from a place of service and truthful service equals abundance in more ways than one.
