We have the ability to literally chart out our lives. Every masterpiece, every record breaking hit, every blockbuster was first conceived in thought and then written on paper. Read how I created my dynamic 2015.
Last month I opened a letter I penned to myself 15 months ago. And to my surprise I was in tears before I could even finish the letter. Now before I dive into why this letter tugged on my emotions so heavily let me give you a little back story.
Last year the amazing happened to me. As a matter of fact 2015 will probably go down as one of the best years of my life. I celebrated my 30th birthday in Dubai; traveled across the United States on a national book tour, connected with powerful Black icons such as Louis Gossett Jr., the Honorable Louis Farrakhan, and the late Julian Bond; conducted meetings at the White House on behalf of my organization BMe Community; completed my year as a Miami Fellow with the Miami Foundation; marched on Washington and rallied for Justice, and finally built up enough courage to share my truth about being black, gay, and proud through an online post that went viral impacting the lives of thousands around the world.
At the beginning of the year I wasn't anticipating any of these things to happen in my life, or so I thought. By the time I got to the end of my letter I realized that everything that I experienced in 2015 I wrote about 15-months prior. The national engagements, international travel, not living in fear, fighting for equality, were all things I wrote about in my letter.
I realized how powerful that small act was after I read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (which I recommend everyone reads). The Alchemist, is an exciting novel that is filled with optimism. You learn that people are capable at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.
It wasn't until I decided to write out what I wanted in life that I got what I wanted out of life. Coelho wrote "when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."
Writing goals down or speaking goals out loud is like planting a seed. It's the first step to success. You are literally asking the universe to work with you to bring to pass something that is already completed; it's just been waiting for you to go after it.
So what do I recommend for you this 2016?
- Read The Alchemist
- Write your vision for the year. Write down your goals, what you plan to accomplish in detail. You can even do a vision board.
- Find a mentor or an agreement partner. Someone who is committed to helping you achieve your goals.
- Read what others have done who are on the path you are aspiring to get to.
- Schedule time in your day to accomplish the goals
- And then work that plan!
Asking the universe to conspire to help you isn't the only step, it's the first step. Making a declaration that this is going to be a "good year" or this is "my year" won't cut it alone. This is a "good year" for what? This is "your year" to do what? Be specific.
The year 2015 was truly my year of epic engagements. I've already penned my 2016 and I'm eagerly awaiting for it to come to pass.