10 Steps To Getting What You Want

Everything we need is already there. The challenge is letting go of all our stuff in the way.

Whether it is the perfect relationship, adorable family, successful career, financial stability, radiant health, all of the above, or something entirely different, getting what we want drives a lot of us. Even if we're not quite exactly certain what it is that we actually want (or think we want) we still spend our time doing all sorts of things that we think might get us there. How exhausting! All that wanting and doing can take us far away from ourselves, and out of the present moment where everything happens. The end result is often dissatisfaction no matter how much of the achieved "stuff" surrounds us.

Clearing out the clutter that we've built up in our lives is a good place to start. When we make space, good things can happen. We've all experienced it. A simple task like cleaning the house can leave us feeling calm, relaxed, and inspired. There is literally more room to think in a clean house. Whether it is through cleaning, practice, meditation, or thoughtful planning, when we make space, the good stuff has room to come our way.

I put up a whiteboard recently at home. I know, whiteboards are usually reserved for start up companies, but my life is my start up, and so I need a whiteboard too. The more work I take on, the more I find the need to simplify, and eliminate what is in the way. I need efficiency. From my whiteboard to yours. Enjoy.

10 Steps to Getting What You Want

1. Be YOU. There is only one YOU on this planet. Take advantage of that. You are inspiring, creative, intelligent and capable. Spending any energy trying to be like someone else is foolish.

2. Do What You Love. When doing something you love, no matter what you'd be getting paid, or think the outcome might be, not only will you enjoy yourself more, but you have a better chance of actually creating a sustainable life. Happiness is contagious.

"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door." Milton Berle

3. Trust your instincts. "I feel there are two people inside of me -- me and my intuition. If I go against her, she'll screw me every time, and if I follow her, we get along quite nicely." Kim Basinger

4. Work hard. No one is going to do the work for you.

"Hard work has made it easy. That is my secret. That is why I win. If it were easy everyone would be a champion." Nadia Comaneci

5. Be nice to people. "Your Karma is a continuum, part of the process that is happening to you now, not something far away in future life." - OSHO

6. Don't listen to your critics. "If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business." Abraham Lincoln's words: via Ed and Deb (love this one!)

7. Be Patient. Things might not (and usually don't) happen in the timing that you want. Patience can be your biggest asset. Cultivate it.

"If I have ever made any valuable discoveries, it has been owing more to patient attention, than to any other talent." Isaac Newton

8. Take Care of Yourself. Your health is a responsibility that is completely in your control.

"Every human being is the author of his own health or disease." Buddha

9. Stop Complaining. If you don't like how something is, change it. We can't change everything, but we can do quite a bit about our circumstances when we drop the complaints.

"Instead of complaining that the rosebush is full of thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses." Proverb

10. Have Fun. If you're not having fun then what's the point?

"If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun." Katharine Hepburn