At the end of every year it’s expected that we’ll think about the new things we want in our lives.
We’re supposed to make resolutions with lists of things we’re going to begin doing.
Often it seems those resolutions don’t last very long because we may not be ready to do the work to make those changes happen.
I think along with focusing on what we want, we should also be thankful for what we have.
If you’re familiar with The Secret, then you’ve heard that gratitude is important. If we’re not grateful for what we have now, it’ll be harder to get other things that we want.
If you want to change careers, you’ve probably thought a lot about your dream job or business.
When you finally have it, suddenly everything will fall into place. You’ll be happy. You’ll stop hating going to work and your life will be wonderful. In the meantime you’ve become content to get through each day the best you can. You’ll wait to be grateful once you’ve moved on.
The catch is that if you appreciate what you have, it’ll be easier to move on to what you want. I know that sounds contradictory.
The thing is, if your current job is meeting some of your needs (like paying your bills) then as much as you might dislike having it, it is something to be thankful for.
Whatever you’re gaining from it at this moment is helping you to prepare for your new career.
Your experiences are adding to your knowledge. Whether you’re learning patience from dealing with customers, or a demanding manager, or a promotion you didn’t get.
Everything you’re experiencing is helping to propel you to the next level.
For me it became easier when I stopped being pissed off about not having the career I wanted. I put myself in a place of being thankful for what I had (no matter how messed up I thought it was) and grateful for the opportunities I knew were coming.
Sound too simple? Of course it does. It actually is that simple once you stop struggling. It’s even easier than writing down resolutions year after year and wondering why nothing ever changes in your life.
Copyright © 2008 – 2016 Deborah A. Bailey
Excerpted from: “Think Like an Entrepreneur: Transforming Your Career and Taking Charge of Your Life.”
