When I prepare for holiday shopping, I make a list of what I want to buy for family and friends. Over the years, I’ve found that if I’m very specific about what I want to get, I can easily find it. I’m even looking forward to hitting the stores – or these days, going online – to shop. (And I’m not a shopper.) Once I’m at the store, I feel like my trip flows easily. I even get ideas of what to buy for those whom I wasn’t sure what to get…and these ideas seem perfect for them (not a random impulse buy).
This same method of thinking about what I want and “easily” getting it applies to what I want in different areas of my life. When I take time to think about what I want (e.g., a more connected relationship, a more peaceful home environment, etc), I find myself feeling closer to friends and feeling like my home is truly a sanctuary. The clarity surrounding what I want to happen in my life helps me notice when it’s coming my way or new ideas of how to get it.
And just thinking about what I want can make me happy and feel good. When I’m feeling happy, I’m more likely to be motivated to take action towards what I want. So, what do you want? Write it down or say it out loud and notice what happens.
If you’re not sure what you want, treat your life experiences as opportunities to “shop” for what you like. Get out there, try some things on (whether it’s a new form of entertainment, a modified version of your career, or a different type of friend). Be aware of how you feel while you’re “trying these things on”. If you feel happy, it’s an indication that you’re close to figuring out what you want and that means you’re even closer to getting it more consistently.
