No one is coming – It is up to me
If I have learned anything in the past 5 years, it is that if I want something, I must take action and go after it. I have way more power and control over my life than I ever used to realize. Part of claiming my power is climbing into the driver’s seat of my life and making it happen.
Years ago, I was overweight. I hated it. I wanted it to change so badly. I “wished” and prayed that somehow I would magically wake up 50 lbs. thinner. I was miserable and yet I wasn’t doing anything about it. At the time, I didn’t even see it. I did not realize that it was completely within my control. Once I had my “ah-ha” moment, I joined a gym, changed my diet, began to deal with the emotional issues that led to my weight gain and ultimately lost the weight within 6 months. AND – I have kept it off for 5 years. Was it easy? No, not always. Was it up to me? OH YES! And P.S., waiting around “wishing” for things to change was a lot harder than losing the weight.
Once I learned this lesson I began to see how it applied to practically everything! As a singer, I used to “wish” that someone would walk right up to me and offer me a singing contract. But I had to stop and ask myself – do they even know you sing? Do they even know you exist? I wasn’t even putting myself out there! No one ever knocked on my front door, out of the blue and offered me a job. But as I auditioned for things, I began to see results. The same held true at my sales job. Knowing that I had to be in the office 40 hours a week regardless, I wanted to make as much money as I could. However “wishing” I made more money never actually increased my paycheck. But making a plan, setting goals and working with my manager did! Within two years of starting at the company, I was promoted and named top sales associate on a team of over 100 people.
We all have dreams; things we “wish” for. But are we being active agents or passive victim’s? Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar talks about this principle in his course Foundations of Positive Psychology. A passive victim says “poor me,” blames others, waits for things tohappen to them and often ends up depressed whereas an active agent looks at obstacles as opportunities, takes responsibility and makes things happen. This attitude typically yields positive outcomes, producing feelings of joy and self-confidence.
No one is coming – It is up to me. If I want something, I must get up off the couch, turn off the T.V. and make it happen. Now trust me, this is not always easy. In fact – it usually takes a lot of work. But what is the alternative? I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to waste one moment of my life. It’s simply too short. Besides, if I really do have control over most of my life, why would I ever give it away to someone else and hope for the best? Why would I give all of my power away when I can claim it and have the life I want?
Whether it’s a career path or something within my person, I have the power and the control to create the life I want; to live my best life. I may not always end up with what I first envisioned, but I will feel satisfied and energized knowing that I can do anything I set my mind to. And, even though it IS up to me – I don’t have to have all of the answers. There are so many awesome resources out there to help us on our journey. And it’s funny – when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
No one is coming. It is up to me and up to you. Don’t give away your power. CLAIM IT! I promise you, you will be surprised and empowered by what you discover along the way.
Source: http://claimyourpower.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/no-one-is-coming-it-is-up-to-me/
