"Accuracy of observation is the equivalent of accuracy of thinking." Wallace Stevens
Last week's assignment was to use your Think Time to explore three key questions. These questions were designed to help you examine multiple areas of your life. What did you discover? In week three you will use the answers you compiled last week to create a list of what you like about your life and what you don’t.
In week 1, I shared with you a snapshot of my life when I started an organized process to living intentionally. I was pretty harried and taking the time to think about my life was the first step in reducing stress and creating the life I desired. What I learned from exploring the questions I shared with you gave me the foundation to change those elements that weren't working for me but it also helped me to identify and hold on to the really good parts of my life.
I wrote down my observations but clarified my feelings by asking why I felt or thought a certain way. One of my first observations was that I no longer liked my job. When I asked why, I saw that many aspects of my work were fulfilling and rewarding but my company micro managed the sales team and was not a creative environment. After further reflection I came to see that it was not just my company that lacked these elements but the entire industry. I was able to acknowledge I needed to change my career field. But it all started with identifying what was working for me and what wasn't. I wrote everything down because I was working to capture the tangible and intangible observations and feelings I had about my life.
Not every observation I wrote down was as life altering or as important as the one I have shared with you. Nor in the beginning could I always succinctly answer why. But in asking why I was eventually able to find the kernel of my happiness or discontent and start the process of change.
Week 3 Assignment: List what is working in your life and what is not.
Drawing upon your answers from last week's questions write down your observations. It is important to actually write them down and not just list them in your head.
The first list includes those areas you believe are working. I am happy in my marriage, I exercise regularly, I am good at my job are just three examples. The second list are those areas that aren't workings so well. My 13-year-old daughter and I are always arguing, my financial budget is a mess and I want to lose 10 pounds all qualify for the things that aren't working so well list.
Don't force an arbitrary number of items on either list. Just write until you run out of things to write down. Don't try to balance the numbers observations on each list. Maybe more is working for you than not. Maybe only little things in your life are annoying but the big issues are working for you. Just don’t force it; write freely and honestly.
This week compile your lists and in week 4 you will begin to set your priorities.