In this month’s newsletter (http://tinyurl.com/yftf9w4), I encouraged everyone to write a “prescription for their year”. And I promised to share a bit more instruction for anyone interested. Please understand that when I wrote mine, I wrote it just for me—sort of odd since most of what I write is about me and my experience, but it is designed to be shared publicly. My entire professional life IS personal–My career is based on my story. But this was for me: A document full of the dreams I have for myself in 2010, which is why I cannot share the entire contents…just this once. As you read the quotes throughout, however, I think you’ll get a really great sense of the kind of adjectives I encourage you to include, the positive vision of what I want (it’s important always to state the positive side of what you seek and leave the negative out!) and a very brief overview of the numerous areas I cover (though there are many more in my complete document).
But to give you a good sense, here’s how it started: “Throughout the year and at year-end, I am proud and satisfied by who I am being and what I am creating. I lead with love, seek to focus on the best in others and myself, and appreciate the little things. With joy, compassion, humility and lightheartedness, I introduce people to being healthy and happy both in relation to food and in their lives–imparting ‘The Secret of Food.’ Effortlessly, I have a balanced life. My work feels like play and I find myself with plenty of time for actual play and for ‘me’ time.”
Hey, I told you: It’s a dream document–the things I will strive to do and see and be by December 31. I know some of those things are impossible to complete in such a short time but a girl can dream, right? I also have dreams about love found and teams built. I dream about my charity finally helping teenage girls who struggle with weight and body image issues. I dream things I hope will still happen (making a difference in people’s lives with the work I do) and will FINALLY happen (like “I learn to crave truly healthful foods as much as I crave the decadent treats I’ve so come to desire”).
Okay so maybe I won’t “effortlessly enjoy 9 servings of fruits and vegetables per day” and my diet won’t “be full of whole grains, lean meats and fresh foods”…or maybe it will? But I will continue to try every single day to get there, including foods I never imagined I’d enjoy and avoiding any emotional eating. By having it on paper, and viewing it often, I’m faced with the reality that this is what will make me even happier so I want to be (and will be) constantly reminded that it wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world, as I dash into the grocery store, to pick up one more veggie that I haven’t tried in a while.
Truth be told, I recognize that a document like this is simultaneously freeing, intimidating and inspiring. It will push me and remind me of who I am and want to be. Will I “get outside at least a half hour every day with people who love to workout with me”? Will I “sleep like a baby as days end, then bounce out of bed grateful, refreshed and eager with a sense of deep satisfaction, ready to be tickled by the possibilities each new day brings?” (Holy cow would that be awesome!) Will my house and kitchen be miraculously organized and clean AND warm and homey? Will I get the exact TV show I’ve been dreaming about that will positively impact more people than I possibly could have imagined?
I don’t know but I do know that I will do more than dream – I will go all-out to get there. And this document sets it all out before me and will remind me of how far I get and how far I still want to go. Really it is all about not just setting goals but saying what those goals are and writing them out. There is something wonderful about seeing them on paper. And scary too. But they wouldn’t be real if they weren’t scary; they would be too easy or more of the same. Lord knows, many of us could use less of the same in 2010 in so many ways.
So, I say dare to dream and get yourself out there! Here’s to more realities and less dreams 10-1/2 months from now! Okay, time to start writing….
Happy Cooking (& Dreaming!)
Devin