I’ve been living personal growth as a lifestyle for over ten years, and it’s been incredible. Recent research is validating what I’ve been working with, and continuing to expand my knowledge, on what it takes to create personal success. This week, consider taking on the mindset that you are an experiment, that you are here to learn about yourself and evolve a plan that works for you.  (This was the approach I took after my husband died, what would it take to move from this place of deep sadness?)  What I didn’t connect with at the time, were the six sources of influence that supported what I created after that. (From “Change Anything”, Kerry Patterson et al. 2008). In retrospect, they were there. I’ll be sharing those with you over the next few weeks. 

Did you know that writing down a plan increases success by more than 30%?  So for this week, decide where you want to create change and play along. You’ll be developing a plan, around a single area, and as you learn about the six influences, you can modify and evolve with it. As the scientist and the subject, you’ll end up identifying the small changes that add up to big shifts, the vital behaviors necessary to achieve what you want, the six sources of influence, and how to learn from your own personal experiences, so that all your experiences, are of value. Grab a little notebook to keep with you and next Monday we’ll begin.

It's monday morning, and here's a mindset to consider stepping into. This week is an experiment. It's an experiment to learn from, that will help you love your life in every moment. Wherever you are is just perfect. There is no tension around what is to be learned, it's a natural habit you're going to develop. This week is just about starting to pay attention. Paying attention to what you can let go of. 

Pick one of the following resources that you'd like to have more of: your time, your energy or your money. Take that one element, for example your energy, and each day pay attention to those thoughts, feelings, or actions that seem to drain you, and those that fuel you. If you choose time or money, where are you spending it, where are you investing it.  Start to consider what you can let go of. Letting go is a lightening, you can feel simply by imagining something no longer being in your life. Just like spring cleaning, clearing the garden beds, or  creating a painting, first you want to clear some space. Don't rush things. Nature abhors a vacuum, and will try to fill up that space. Allow it to just be and know this void will begin to naturally  fuel you. Enjoy!

The ultimate goal of reflection, beyond enjoying a look at the past, is to help determine what you want to create next in your life. There are three responses that I experience with reflection: abundance,transformation and prosperity.

Abundance comes from the opportunity to appreciate, celebrate, and express gratitude for what has been. It's something that I've gotten into the habit of doing, and it's served me again and again. As I've learned to enjoy and express that gratitude more readily, I am aware of and experience more of it on a daily basis. 

Transformation is my response when I am experiencing negativity, or uncertainty. I have an opportunity to take that thought, action, or response, and look at it from another point of view. I can choose to grow from it. I can make adjustments. 

Prosperity is my response to what I want to bring more of into my life. For example, finding the humor in every day. When I focus on what I want, I'm more likely to see that it exists all around me already, I'm just increasing my awareness of it. If it is something more tangible, what conditions did others create to bring it into their lives? Focus on what conditions it takes to flourish and with further action, the result will be prosperity. ( More on six conditions to support change in the next six monday morning minutes!!)

Setting aside a time where you can reflect is one of the best habits you can form. I heard an analogy once that I know I had lived, so it stuck with me. If you focus on action, climbing, and moving up the ladder without looking at your bearings, you might find yourself at the top rung, looking around, and seeing the ladder wasn't on the wall you intended. 

Reflection is where we learn about ourselves, and in doing so, are able to look at what we want to keep, and what we can release, to make room for growing what we want to bring into our lives. That's the value. Wisdom is looking to replace inferior views with superior views. Make sure to stop and look up from your climb on the ladder and enjoy, or course correct, your view. Thanks for visiting your Monday Morning Minute!