Part of the process for achieving something new, is creating space for it. If you decide to buy a new lounge suite, you would either: sell, donate, relocate or throw out the old one, right?

Therefore, when we want a particular intangible result, we’ll have to let go of certain thoughts and actions in order to have success with it. This includes replacing old habits with new habits. Habits include the things we do AND think. It’s possible to habitually think in contrast to what we desire without being totally aware of it.

Where do we start with all of this? Similar to a GPS, or Google maps – in order to get to “point B”, we have to know what “point A” is. And the “point A” has to be accurate, otherwise the wrong route will come up. The exercise of finding our own starting point requires courage, honesty and self-compassion. That means being brave enough to look and face the truth, then being kind by refraining from any criticism.

Paul McKenna, the author of the books I chose to read for an assignment a few years ago believes we have “three selves”:
1. “pretend self” (what is put forward to the outside world)
2. “negative self-image” (the part that is feared to be true)
3. “authentic self” (who we truly are)

I like these 3 questions that he includes:
• “who are you when nobody is watching?”
• “if you felt totally safe, what would you do differently?”
• “who would you be if you lived beyond fear?”

I’ll leave you to ponder on that for a bit, and will come back with more in a few days.