Now that I’m essentially done with my Masters degree, that dreaded question has reared its ugly head.
You know the one.
NOW WHAT?
I recently listened to a book by Mike Dooley, Leveraging the Universe: 7 Steps to Engaging Life’s Magic, and he repeated this phrase often: Don’t get caught up on the “cursed hows.” (<—Totally worth the 5-minute read.) What he meant by that was: figure out what you want and visualize the end goal, then let the universe decide how it’ll deliver.
If you want to be a published author, for example, spend a few minutes each day picturing your books already on the shelves and, most importantly, feel how it’ll feel when you achieve that goal. Yes, also put some pen to paper today (“do what you can with what you have”), but don’t spin your wheels wondering about how to get a publisher or whether your idea has already been “done before.”
If you want a romantic partner, don’t get hung up on a specific person, just picture the kinds of things you’ll do with your dream mate and how you’ll feel when you’re together. Yes, you can add specific details like what you’re wearing -and please do!- but if you decide it’s got to be Gary from accounting, you might wind up butting heads with the universe, who’s working overtime to get you stuck in an elevator with Pete from payroll, the perfect guy for you.
When I picture where I want to be in a year, I see an active, fit, social butterfly who’s swimming in creative projects and opportunities, brave enough to say “YES!” when it counts – and “NO!” too.
While I’m trying not to get hung up on too many hows, I know it’s important to work with what I’ve got at my disposal today. For starters, I signed up for a half marathon in May, despite it having been two years since my last run. I even recruited two of the most inspiring “accountability partners” I could dream up, spanning New Jersey to Oregon, to help me get in gear:
To show them how compliant I am, I joined a gym…
…made Google docs outlining every aspect of my ideal life, started logging daily exercise, water and caloric intake…
…and shed immediate poundage via purging more joyless belongings from the tiny apartment…
I’ve even acquired new confidence-boosting crystals and signed up for a week-long “past life therapy training” with She’s a Maineiac at Omega Institute in July.
I’m trying to up the ante in every area I can think of, breathing life into “November 2019 Jules” in ways that feel tangible yet exciting.
As for creative projects, I’ve been keeping a list of fun blog post ideas and researching marketing courses and products. So far I’ve narrowed it down to a couple of top choices:
- Campaign Monitor / My Emma – I think they can help me get my newsletter game straight with their sleek designs and impressive customer roster, plus a really reasonable Basic membership fee ($9/month)
“Email acquisition best practices”? I’m definitely going to need some help… Photo credit - Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing – this one comes recommended by a financial independence blogger I really like, Millennial Boss, but with a $197 price tag, I’ve been hesitant to take the plunge
(If anyone has any recommendations or experience with either, please leave a comment!)
I don’t know about you, but I’m still feeling antsy. Maybe I should stop with the hows and go tinker with my Google doc some more.
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Do you believe in the power of creative visualization? Do you get hung up on the “hows”?
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DISCLAIMER: This post contains sponsored links.
Go Jules Go 
You forgot to include “visit Nova Scotia and SandyLand” on your calendar there missy! 🙂 You would totally lose the antsy-ness.
I thought I’d read that on the Nova Scotian brochure! “Let us get in your pants and we’ll deal with those ants!” Er, did I get it right?
Sounds about right to me. :p
This was, per usual satisfactorily entertaining. I’d happily commit to that run with you as an additional AP/hotel sharer/I look for the cute guys we need to catch up to while you focus on your badass breathing.
This half marathon experience is sounding less torturous by the minute. Come here in May!! You can have the bed. Well. If Uncle Jesse says it’s okay.
Hey Jules Congratulations dear for earning the Masters degree.🎉🎉
I too have heard about creative visiualization, but not sure about its truth.
Your plans are bang on with all preparation. 👍
Thank you so much, Rita! I suppose if creative visualization really worked, I’d be too busy drinking champagne in Paris with Darren Criss to write blog posts…
Lol, but continue dreaming, we never know what happens next.☺
Congrats! Your universe seems to be expanding while you want to contract. Perhaps the zen of running will bring further focus.. or maybe a soul mate?
Ha! I’m starting to think I should be even more specific with my visualization. “Um, universe, when I said EXPANSION…”
I expanded the universe of my office when I read your comment. Now to clean the coffee from the walls!
Why are you writing blog posts when you should be out CRUSHING IT?!!?!
I love the visualization component of your plans! A few minutes a day is all it takes (plus the action, of course). It’s one thing to be a ship under steam – full speed ahead! – but if you don’t look at a map here and there, there be dragons in those waters.
Also, I looked though my blog posts and didn’t see a single one that would make someone hide in a corner. Cower in fear at the top of a mountain bike descent, sure…or get gripped on a rock climb…or tired on a bike tour, yes and yes. But nope, no corner-mongering going on. Hmmm.
Keep up the crushing!
By “dragons” do you mean “bloggers with access to PowerPoint”?
I can’t wait to check out the book you linked. I like the idea of letting the universe decide. But what if it decides enlightenment is at the bottom of my Doritos bag?
You know, I don’t know if I said this yet to you, but HUGE CONGRATS on your degree!!! That is quite an accomplishment! I’ve no doubt you will go very far in your quest for more magic in life. Head up, heart forward, BS!!
I feel like I’ve heard that line somewhere…
And THANK YOU! If you stick around, LS, there’s going to be so much magic we’re going to have to start charging.
The Omega Institute?! With Darla and Brian Weiss?!! Color me green with envy. Sounds like you’re off to a great start, with all sorts of ideas and goals. And yes, the “how” things are going to roll out sometimes gets us twisted up in knots. (Once, during a hypnosis session, wisdom was downloaded into me telling me I’m not supposed to know exactly how things will happen, but to focus on the goal and grab the next breadcrumb as it comes to me- follow what grabs your attention and what speaks to you). When you’re determined to reach a goal, no matter what, you’ll get there. And congrats on finishing your masters degree.
Thank you so much! I’m a huge fan of the breadcrumb method. It complements another quote I love, about how life is like driving in the dark with the headlights on. Just because you can only see what’s right in front of you doesn’t mean you don’t keep going!
You inspired me! I keep a second blog that may or may not be to your taste. It’s got a more consistently spiritual flavor than my first, and is definitely raw. Thanks for lighting me up! https://wordpress.com/post/mypeacenow.wordpress.com/2393
Oh my gosh, something must be in the air (and methinks we have Ms. Darla to thank!) – you inspired a post from me, too (I know I mentioned it, but I actually wrote it, LOL)!!! I spent a big chunk of time on it yesterday; will probably publish in a couple of weeks! Off to read yours now, can’t wait!
About Ms. Darla, I discovered her when she was freshly pressed back around 2010 or so. Very long story short, she inspired me to take a Reiki class, which directly led to a series of events, and I experienced a very unexpected spiritual awakening. Since then, I’m a very changed person. So yes, we probably do have Ms. Darla to thank!
This does not surprise me one bit – my life is so much better because of Ms. Darla, too! (And getting better by the moment, it seems!)
Woot! Woot!
Congrats on your Masters!
I believe the world is now your oyster…. go forth and shuck my dear.
Thank you so much!! I’m gathering vegan oysters as we speak so I can metaphorically shuck! 😉
Probably not as satisfying as the actual shuck…. but, yes. Carry on.
I would highly recommend Pam Grout’s “E Squared”, on kindle or other…
It would truly add to your efforts and understanding.
Scott
PS – don’t judge, but the bikini idea looks nice.
I read E-Squared (and liked it so much that I also read E-Cubed) on your recommendation a few months ago – AMAZING book!!
Yes, has certainly changed my life. It is so much better now.
She also has a blog. I think it is on WordPress….Pam Grout
But how do I know how to not hang up on a how?
I think it would be better if you ask Who. He’s on first.