Be Careful What You Ask For!

When the movie “The Secret” came out, I was hooked.  I got to work thinking about my dreams and I created my own vision board.  I am sure many of you reading this have thought about a vision board.  Maybe some people made one, maybe some of you put a list of ideas together.  But were you clear?  Did you really understand what you were asking for?  Did you really think it all through?  I thought I did…but there are many interpretations to pictures and words.

My vision board had a picture of several trip destinations and dates.  I have accomplished several of those.  They were easy. One is still on the board and I am looking forward to having this trip come to fruition. 

 I had a picture of a sports car, as I wanted something frivolous and fun.  I had the opportunity to purchase this car in the fall, and I test drove the car, and I sat in it, and I thought hard about it.  Guess what?!  It was frivolous and fun, but not practical for the world we had moved to.  Did I buy it?  No.  It was not a good fit for me.  Oh surprise!

I had published several books at that point in my life, and I thought it would be great to sell more books.  Now this can be interpreted several ways.  Sell several copies of the same book, or create more books and sell copies of them too.  Guess what I did.  Made more books and sold more copies of them.  Yes, I have lots of books, but I have not sold enough copies of any of them to turn a good profit.  I guess I should have been more specific about this one. 

I included a picture of the kind of house I wanted, but when I chose the picture, I was really in love with all the trees around the house.  Well, I have a new old house, and it does not look at all like my picture.  But, what I love about my house is the view from my bedroom window.  I am over the trees and I feel like I am in a tree house.  I love the feeling.  Does it feel like the view I had in my picture of the house?  Yes.  I guess I got what I asked for.

When I sold my business and moved across the country it was to fulfill our family’s dream of living in Cape Breton.  I was happy to let go of the hectic pace and to have more time to spend with my teenage daughter.  I wanted more quality time with her, and the opportunity to share that time while not being so tied to my work.  We have just finished four months of treatment to eradicate Hodgkins Lymphoma from her body.   I stopped all work and devoted myself to her care and recovery.  We have been inseparable through this time.  I sure got what I asked for with this…I think I should have been a lot clearer on this one. 

So, moving forward with my career, now I am working at a new brand name for several of my new program creations.  I am trying to find a good catch phrase to launch these programs into a financial filibuster that finally produces the financial freedom and professional development that I have been working towards for years.  My dad reminded me the other day that I often have such incredible energy for creating that I forget to forecast and build the financial picture too.  This all has to be part of my vision board for sure.  So, I am taking special care to really look at the brand, the forecast, the desired outcome, the program success and all.  What I do know as I work on this – BE Specific!  I will get what I ask for, so I need to make sure I know what I want, and I need to be clear at describing it.

What is on your vision board?  Have you been clear?  Have you taken the time to really think about what you want from your future?  Do you have a plan or are you just “winging” it?  Do you have goals with clear time tables?  Are you ready to really achieve your dreams, or are you still “dreaming” about them?  Just thought I would ask.  Be Clear about your answer!