“Greatness is a road leading towards the unknown.” Charles DeGaulle
“With a kiss, let us set out for an unknown world.” Alfred de Musset
For many, including myself, the unknown can sometimes be uncomfortable, scary terrain, especially at the beginning of a new year when we’re mapping out goals and action steps for where we’d like to go. Paradoxically however, I’m experiencing that by allowing space for the unknown, and allowing it to pull me forward into the action steps that “It” asks for, I believe I/we will find our greatest alignment with the next stage of growth of the greatest version of ourselves and our business.
It is not to say that goals are not important, they are, and I am creating them as we speak. But, I am also finding that the goals I am creating are towards what I hold deepest in my heart. And, because I have not been “exactly” to the higher place where I am going, until I take the initial steps, I do not even know how to plan out the later steps. And, I know that if I remain open to the unknown, when I get to the later steps, it will remain both a mystery and be evolving into something greater than I could have imagined myself.
For example as an artist, I know that from my deepest yearning that I am drawn towards creating inspirational photos, videos and films that are beautiful, and share “aha’s” that I’ve had and may lead to aha’s for others. I have many ideas about how to do that, and am already working on projects. I even have glimpses of pathway’s where these projects will find their homes and generate livelihood. However, as I look at the next few months, what is needed is building time in my daily life for creating; learning my new camera equipment; writing interview questions; filming; getting feedback; organizing; backing up my projects; and sharing highlights along the way on social media, another new terrain for me. I also see the action steps of building my network of people who find this of interest; researching possible venues/markets; and following enticing “bread crumbs” that drop upon my path; most of which is unknown to me at this time.
I’d be lying if I didn’t acknowledge some discomfort in prioritizing time in my schedule that isn’t directly income producing and not exactly knowing when/how it will be. However, I have also experienced in the past that when I follow my deepest promptings that it ultimately leads me to “gold.” When, I do not and simply busy myself with to do lists of what I think I should be doing, I keep myself very busy, but not necessarily living out the greatest or truest version of myself or my business.
Perhaps if you are repeating where you have already been, you can repeat the goal setting process in the same way, and create similar or even greater results than you did last year. But, if like the ever evolving Universe you are called to something greater, you have not been there before. So, one of the greatest gift you can give yourself in your business or life strategizing is to include some self-care strategies to help find comfort in metaphorically driving in the dark with only your headlights and your faith to guide your every turn towards your gramma’s house and to set your goals accordingly.
