Written by: Adele Chee, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
We’re all shaped by our environment, the people we cross paths with, the society and culture we live in, the laws we are subjected to and the beliefs we have been indoctrinated with, as well as the knowledge we’ve been exposed to.
As much as your circumstances shape you, did you know that you have the ability to shape your world?
If you’re reading this, you’re definitely in the group of people who are fortunate enough to have options at your disposal. The choice to choose the people you surround yourself with, the echelon of society to place yourself in and the system of beliefs to equip yourself with.
Now knowing that you have the ability to shape your world, here are 3 steps to get started:
Determine and differentiate your wants and needs
Live in the present
Act the part
Determine and differentiate your wants and needs
Knowing what environment you’re hoping to shape is essential. A good place to start is to outline what are the critical areas that you would need to qualify as having a wholesome life; and what would be meaningful to have within each of these areas that would give you fulfilment.
I would recommend doing the Wheel of Life exercise for this. Using this visual tool will enable you to “see” your preferred life on a page.
Going a step further into this exercise is discovering the true motivations behind each of the goals you’ve listed to achieve in the wheel and identifying if they align to your values. Ask yourself, ‘why do I want or need this?” and “does this validate who I am?”
Live in the present
In order to strategise and put tangible steps in place to shape your desired world, you need to live in the present reality of your circumstances. Reflect on where you are at present against your entries in the Wheel of Life. Identify the gaps for each of your goals listed and prioritise what is important for you to address in the immediate instance. Ask yourself, “what is the one thing that needs to change right now?” and “what is the one thing I can do to make this change, even if it’s just marginal?”
Play the part
Having a plan of action without execution will get you nowhere. In my previous article – 3 Steps to Make Your Dreams Come True, I mentioned that holding yourself accountable is imperative towards achieving your goal. That is, to have the determination and courage to stay true to who you are and take ownership of your desires.
Therefore, going back to what shapes your environment – the people, social and cultural milieu as well as your belief system – ask yourself, “how does all of this fit in the context of my Wheel of Life?” Perhaps you might find these supplementary questions helpful:
“Who do I need more in my life?” – this can be in the form of friends, family, colleagues or even someone new
“Where can I find more of these people?” – this can be at work, home, community or social setting
“What am I practising and preaching?” – this could be influenced by the information you consume that translates into the messages and actions that you project
Answers to these questions can help you focus your time and energy on the right people and activities to engage in.
In summary, when you have clarity of the kind of world you want to live in, you need to make conscious choices and take deliberate actions to intentionally shape your desired world.
If you found this article insightful, I would love to hear what resonated with you. Please connect with me on LinkedIn or schedule a FREE call with me to share your thoughts.
For more info on the work that I do, please visit my website!
Adele Chee, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Adele is a transition coach and mentor. Committed to seeing a world filled with thriving individuals living their lives authentically, she is on a mission to empower 1 million people to recognize their true worth and set goals that would truly enrich their lives as well as those around them. For this reason, she has created the S.P.A.R.K.© self-alignment model and program, to help professionals and entrepreneurs around the world leverage their strengths and overcome their fears to transition into having a purpose-driven life.
She believes that having clarity and alignment of one’s values, strengths, vision, and purpose “core elements” oneself is essential in enabling a person to take ownership and be the agent of their own life. This is because when you are certain of who you are and what you want, and they are in alignment, you will live your life authentically as you achieve ambitions that fulfill you.
Her idea of a fulfilling life is to live a life of choice where you can achieve your dreams without succumbing to the pressures of society. Her determination and resilience to experience this life aspiration see her realize her 3 life goals travel the globe, help others lead a better life, and write; alongside her successful 15-year international corporate career prior to starting her own coaching practice during a global pandemic.
