ElizabethPW

Revelation! No More Waiting; Live the Vision Today

Posted on 23. May, 2008 by Elizabeth Potts Weinstein in Blog

About 6 months ago I started journaling again. From when I got a bit an agist at age 10 all the way throughout law school, I always kept a diary/ journal to complain about life, discuss my heartaches, and brainstorm ideas for the future.

When I moved in with my husband I stopped journaling. Why? I think I was scared he would read it. As if a man would really want to read the ramblings of the inner workings of my woman brain … only a fellow chick would be noisy/curious about a journal. And for those of you who know Mark, he’s such a Mr. Integrity he would never violate my confidence. What a nut I am.

Anyway, while reading my friend Sandy Grason’s book, Journalution, I started journaling again. Bought an adorable lime green journal, and wrote in it with an archive-quality black pen whenever the idea took me — both for serious journaling and just for notes about ideas for my business. Recently I wrote an entry in response to the following "prompt" from Sandy’s book — "describe your perfect day." 

So I labeled the day April 29, 2011 (3 years from that day — as if that gives permission for anything to be possible). So what did I do on my perfect day? I was still working from home on my business, writing, making a video, and networking online (but no phone calls, no admin work, no legal work). But the real interesting thing is that Grace was not in school — in this perfect day I’m homeschooling her and driving her to fun classes/groups — and Mark’s not at work, he’s working from home on his own at-home business.

As I reviewed that journal entry, I had an epiphany. Why wait for 3 years? Why not have that day tomorrow?

So I did. Okay, a few kinks have to be worked out (backlog of client projects, my husband is still a partner in a law firm, still working on the less-than-4-hour admin work per week thing) — but it totally changed my outlook on every day.

Now instead of spending all day waiting for Grace to take a nap or go to bed so I can work, I view my time with her as part of the end goal — whether we are learning something together or just enjoying each other’s company.

And the work on my business is less hurried. I’m not working for a goal six or 18 months out — I’m working for the enjoyment I get from it today.

Sounds simple, but has fundamentally changed how I live my life each day. As a goal-oriented, ambitious person, I was always working/living for the next goal, the big vision, the to-do list. I never could reach the goal line … because it kept moving.

Now, my life is about just be-ing in the moment, enjoying how much I have — and no longer waiting for something to arrive.

***If you want more info about Journaling, check out http://sandygrason.com and Sandy’s book Journalution. If you want more info about living in the moment, check out http://marieforleo.com and her Productivity Secrets course.

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Tags: Having It All, Vision