Pretend It Is One Year From Now

by Deborah Brown, Contributing columnist

Imagine a year has gone by. The economy is picking up nicely and although it was a tough year for you, it was well worth it, because you are enjoying your career tremendously. You are grateful for what transpired over the past year. If it were not for that push, you would not be where you are today.

It took you a while to find your way, but you have arrived. You battled fear, uncertainty, and yourself. But you have come out a winner. Looking back, you see that there were five key steps that were your crucial
to your success. They were:

1. You Accepted Where You Were

You stopped blaming the world for your predicament. You decided to forgive those who caused your situation. Most importantly, you forgave yourself. You
acknowledged where you were because you knew that a better tomorrow would not happen until you accepted today.

2. You Decided You Would Win

You realized that you worked too hard to get where you were in your career, and you were not about to lose it all now. You grew accustomed to your lifestyle, and you wanted it back. You also decided that your present
situation would not get the best of you. You let go of the shoulds, and the reasons why you couldn't have what you wanted in your career. Then, you made a plan to go after what you truly deserved.

3. You Persevered

You had a vision in your mind, and you did not give up. Sure, there were obstacles. But, you woke up each morning and told yourself that today was a brand new day. You made phone calls you were afraid to make. You wrote e-mail's and letters you weren't sure would get read. You went to meetings and seminars, and you networked. But most importantly, you were afraid and
you moved forward anyway.

4. You Asked For Help

This was a big deal for you because you were used to doing things on your own. You opened yourself up and asked for what you needed. You were surprised and appreciative because people from unexpected places
took the time to help you. The best thing you learned is that life is much easier when you are not reaching your goals alone.

5. You Knew You Would End Up In A Better Place

You stopped driving yourself crazy because you knew things would improve. You recognized that your situation was only temporary. As a result, you enjoyed yourself more. You spent time getting to know you again. You lost weight, or took up a new hobby. You tried new things, and you grew in ways you never imagined possible. You are so much stronger and wiser now. You are not the same.

Ok. Now, it is today again. Do you want what saw? You can make it happen. The choice is up to you.

So what do you say? You only have one life to live so it might as well be a life you love!