I’ve been doing a lot of reading on how high performers and creative people think and behave. There’s this famous quote by Howard Thurman that states,
Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
During this time of re-building, there’s never been a better time to re-imagine your future self, your best self. What do you want to see in this upcoming year or season? The key to creating change is dreaming and envisioning the feeling you are looking to have in that new job or career and how you will behave and think. World class athletes understand this principle of determining feeling when they compete. They get clear on the feelings they know they need to feel before during and after a competition or game. Note-They don’t allow their emotions to supersede the feeling they are after. Think of emotions like a reaction and feeling as an interpretation. So you might be emotionally fearful before a test or competition, but you can interpret that the way you want and choose to feel relaxed by taking deep breaths and reminding yourself how hard you’ve worked.
When I teach vocal students, I’m always reminding them to pay attention to the sensation of their singing, not the sound of it. Every time you have that specific sensation in your body (in your belly, rib cage expanding, neck, jaw, tongue, and soft palate, etc) you will know it’s the good sound simply by the way it feels. You won’t even have to hear it. You will know if it feels right because you won’t feel pain or discomfort; it will feel good.
The same is true during this time of change and designing your future self. What feeling are you after? Do you want to feel more successful, more alive, more energized, more excited and enthusiastic? Then start taking time to dream about your future self, how it will feel when you can reach those high notes, when you record your first album, when you learn a challenging song, etc. Be intentional about your life. You might experience negative emotions from time to time, but you don’t have to let them drive you.
Choose to move forward with your goals and dreams each day, choosing the feeling you know you want a year from now, seeing your goals reached.
Xoxo,
Briana Lyn
