Do You Know Your Starting Point?

Begin With Your Starting Point.

Imagine this. You’re about to embark on a journey to someplace you’ve never been before.

Whether you’re using an old-fashioned roadmap, googling directions, or putting the address in your car GPS; the first question you’re asked is what’s your starting point.

Logically that makes sense. You need to start to travel from somewhere. Knowing where you are, how you plan to travel, the road conditions and what you need for the ride is key to the success of your journey.

Yet how many times do you make that same kind of assessment before you move forward to achieve your goals, realize your dreams or redesign your life?

Evaluating what’s working, what’s not, what matters most to you and what you long to change is your first step. Real change starts with compassionate honesty about the things that have held you back in the past and what may scare you about moving forward now, or in the future.

If you’re not clear on your starting point and where you really want to go; it’s unlikely, you’ll get to your destination.

It’s not hard to decide who we want to be, what we want to have or where we want to go. Yet, it’s sometimes hard to admit to ourselves where and who we are now.

Reflect on the following questions below. Describe your current reality and rate how satisfied you are in each of the different areas of your life.

Find a quiet spot. Pray or ask for guidance and begin to write. Write down everything that comes to mind without editing. This is your opportunity to be completely honest with yourself.

1. Where am I spiritually?
2. Where am I emotionally?
3. Where am I intellectually?
4. Where am I relationally?
5. Where am I physically?
6. Where am I occupationally?
7. Where am I financially?

A Case Study Starting Point

Here’s a case study of one of my client’s starting points. I chose this example because it’s an easy example related to losing weight and her physical well-being.

“Where am I physically?

I’m generally healthy but my self-care is minimal at best.

My eating has become sloppy, and my exercise consists of running after my 3 kids who are 2, 3 and 7.

I tend to stay up too late do my own thing because it’s the only “Me” time I get during the week after work and putting the kids to bed.

I’m feeling “fat” and out of shape and really need to lose that extra 10 lbs.

On a scale of 1-10. I’d rate this area a 4.”

Once you have a clear picture of where you are, it will be easier to create a plan to make the changes you want.

If my client went to a personal trainer, the plan she’d get to lose 10lbs would be very different than the plan she’d get to lose 100lbs.

That’s why it’s so important to accept who you are today and acknowledge the effort and commitment that will be required of you to achieve your goals.

Move Forward From Your Starting Point

Now that you understand where you are in your life, it’s time to decide where you want to go. Here are some tips to help you get started on your new journey.

I’ll continue sharing my client’s story as an example.

1. Pick ONE area of life as your primary focus: Her first area of focus was her physical wellbeing.
2. Choose a goal that you can start working towards now: Her goal was to lose five lbs.
3. Decide your next steps: Determine what small, simple actions you can take weekly that will move you closer to your goals, dreams or desires. Her 3 action steps:

• Exercise 3 days a week for 20 minutes while her husband made breakfast.
• Create a healthier meal plan and cook her meals in advance on Sunday for the week.
• Go to bed by 11pm.

4. Find the resources to help you: She asked for help from her husband, bought portion sized food containers.
5. Remember, done is better than perfect: Ideally, she wanted to join a gym but decided to start exercising by using the treadmill she had at home.
6. Celebrate your small victories: She started a progress journal and charted all her positive actions towards making the changes she wanted.

Some final thoughts….

The cool thing about starting points is that they are always changing.

Your starting point today will not be your starting point next month or next year.

Your starting point in one area of your life will look completely different in another area of your life.

Your starting point for one goal may be completely different than for another.

It’s important to understand that no matter what you want to achieve, accomplish, overcome or create in your life; there will always be a starting point.

Starting points are neither good nor bad; they’re just your beginning of the next journey in your life.  You’re not late, you’re not behind; you’re just starting.

The most important thing to remember is that the clearer you are on your personal starting point, the easier it will be to create a plan to reach your goals, realize your dreams or design a better life.

And unless you’re willing to honestly and sincerely determine your starting point, there’s no use in beginning your journey. You won’t get anywhere if you don’t know where you are now.

YOUR TURN……….

If you’re feeling up to it, I’d love to hear from YOU.

Let me know where you are on your journey and if you’ve gained the clarity you need about your own starting points.

Leave a comment below and share what’s on your mind.

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Remember, you were made to thrive,

Eleni

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