Reorganizing

So, today is the day to get my thoughts reorganized so I'm fully prepared to handle the coming week.

My plan is to try to avoid the meltdown that was last week! Somehow, during that unpleasant week, I managed to just let go of everything useful that I've learned through "The Secret" and reverted back to my negative thought habits. Not helpful.

So today, I'm restating my current goal, using as many details as I can think of. I'm writing my list of 100 things to be grateful for. I'm writing this blog post. And, I'm planning how to use some of these tools during my work days in the coming week.

I want to be able to control my thoughts so I can keep them focused on positive outcomes. I want to keep my mind centered on my goals as often as possible. And, I want to enjoy my life right now - not at some distant and future date.

Clean Slate

Well, since this week was not one of my best examples of using and living "The Secret," I am simply going to start a clean slate.

I'm relaxing this Friday night, letting my mind rest on pleasant and kind of mindless activities, and I will take up the mantle of positive and focused thought in the morning. I'll use this weekend to clean my mental chalkboard and decide what I want written on it in my future.

I think it's time to restate my immediate goal and to revisit some of the techniques I know will help me get there. I guess I need to just regroup. My mind and thoughts have gone back to their old ways and negative habits, and I need to get them back on track and thinking the way I want them to.

I know I can do it, and I am determined to be successful.

PS Maybe now would be a good time to create a Vision Board!

Back on Track

Yikes!

I let myself get pretty far off track. This mind / thought control thing is going to take more work than I'd anticipated!

When I'm watching "The Secret" movie or reading the Daily Teachings, it seems fairly do-able to think about the positive things I want in my life. I mean, why WOULDN'T I want to think happy thoughts? Even on some of my so-so days, I can still manage to redirect my thoughts toward these hopeful outcomes.

Today was a doozy, though. I think it's going to take extra effort and extra attention paid to my First Aid Kit to get my thoughts and focus on track.

I'm guessing that some of the factors at play are:

• It may be a down cycle in my own personal rhythm.
• We're dealing with some extra difficult work situations right now, and many people are on edge.
• The darkest hour is just before dawn; I'm very close to reaching my goal, and have to work to not get discouraged or lose hope.

This train is bound for glory, this train.
This train is bound for glory, this train.
This train is bound for glory...all who ride it must be holy.
This train is leavin'...get on board.
All aboard.

Remembering Past Successes

Today's Daily Teaching from "The Secret" talked about changing one's inner feelings in order to manifest change in the material world.

Reading this gave me an idea:

After yesterday's Daily Teaching, which said that if we wanted to speed up our desired change, we should commit to writing 100 things we are grateful for each day, I'm implementing this practice. I am writing mine in a similar fashion to how one uses "The Secret" Gratitude Journal - the first half of the gratitude list is focused on things I currently have in my life and the second half is focused on things I WANT to have in my life, but written in the present tense as if they are already mine.

Well, it occurred to me that one thing I could do to combine both of these Daily Teaching suggestions is to change the feeling I get when I'm writing the second half of my 100 list. I can write how I feel when I have a success at work, writing about the many actual and pleasant successes I have actually experienced.

I am only on #36 of my list, so I still have a few more to write before I'm done for the day!

100 Things

Today's Daily Teaching from "The Secret" said this:

To change your life fast, use gratitude to shift your energy. When you put all your energy into gratitude, you will see miracles take place in your life.

To change things quickly, commit to writing 100 things you are grateful for each day, until you see the change. And FEEL the gratitude. Your power is in the FEELING that you put into the words of gratitude.

So, today, I wrote my list of 100 things. I used the same technique we use in "The Secret" Gratitude Book - the first half of the list features things I'm grateful for in my life as it is now, and the second half of the list features things I will be grateful for when my desired changes happen, but written in the present tense as if I have it now.

I'm going to continue to use this technique - it really DOES help to refocus my thoughts. This brain / thought management requires vigilance!!

The Home Stretch

I read these quotes on Facebook today:

All endeavor calls for the ability to tramp the last mile, shape the last plan, endure the last hour's toil. The fight to the finish spirit is the one characteristic we must posses if we are to face the future as finishers.

-Henry David Thoreau

Most people give up just when they're about to achieve success. They quit on the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game one foot from a winning touchdown.
-Ross Perot

It seems as if I have seen several quotes like this very recently. I'm taking them as a message to keep the faith, to keep on staying strong, to keep on thinking about the Dream Job the Universe has brought me.

Now, when I am so close to the fulfillment of my dreams, is not the time to quit the race or falter. I must keep doing all the things I've learned to do during the last several weeks - keep my thoughts focused on the positive, remember with gratitude the many good things in my life, and continually review the many tools I have at my disposal to keep my mind focused on the good.

I CAN DO IT!

The Outfit

Yesterday, I purchased an outfit to wear to my Dream Job! It's my way of Setting the Table.

At my Dream Job, I wear clothes that are fun, stylish and comfortable, with just a bit of a kick. I like getting dressed for work, and always look great. It's so much fun to dress for a job I love so much.

When we "set the table," we prepare to receive that which we're expecting. I'll continue to build my wardrobe, as well as anything else I can think of, that fit into my Dream Job.

I HAVE my Dream Job. Thank you, Universe. : )

Reminder

This morning, my mind was racing with all the many things to do at my old job - definitely not focused on my Dream Job! I opened up Tweetdeck, where I follow so many great Tweeters, and saw this quote from Reginald Cuffee:

You can choose to follow the chaotic demands of your ego, or you can choose to follow the desires of your inner guidance.

Aha - that was just the reminder I needed to get my thoughts turned around and re-focused on my Dream Job and my great life. Thanks Reginald - you helped me so much today!

Little Rays of Light

Ahhh...I've been seeing little positive things throughout my days lately. I think of them as rays of light in the darkness. My images are coming to pass in all of these continual small steps. It's encouraging and makes me feel even more determined to keep my mind focused on my good life.

Today, when I was reading Dear Abby in the morning newspaper, I came across a letter that began like this:

Dear Abby,
I have a great job working with people I enjoy, and probably the coolest boss in the world.

Wow - there was my catalog order to the universe! I cut it out and was preparing to post it in the daily journal that I use to keep my thoughts focused on what I WANT. At the top of several journal pages, I've written quotes that I heard as I was listening to "The Secret" on CD. At the top of today's page, where I was planning to tape the words of the Dear Abby letter, was this quote:

The universe is my catalog, and I am placing my order.

I taped that letter right below the quote. Yup...that's my order in a nutshell.

Magic Time

Just before his movie director yelled "Action," actor Jack Lemmon would say quietly to himself, "Magic Time!"

This was Jack's way of prepping himself for the scene he was about to shoot. He was psyching himself up in order to be fabulous in his role. He was redirecting his mind and thoughts toward his desired outcome.

I think I want to try out Jack's "Magic Time" mantra and make it my own! As I head out each day to shoot my scenes of daily life, I'll tell myself it's magic time and remember to be fabulous, to perform my role to the best of my ability, and to star in the movie of my life.

It worked for Jack...he won two Oscars, a Lifetime Acheivement Award from the American Film Institute, several Golden Globe awards, received multiple award nominations, and starred in some of the most memorable films of the 50s and 60s.

PS If you haven't seen him in the original movie "The Odd Couple," opposite Walter Mathau, I highly recommend it - it's laugh-out-loud funny.

Determining Outcomes

Is it possible to predict the outcome of a situation before it happens? You betcha!

I've learned that by using "The Secret" process, I can help make things turn out positively, when I take the time to make it happen. I can also make this work in reverse, sadly.

Earlier today, several concerning situations happened at work that threw me right off track. I definitely was not thinking positive thoughts! And, as I approached each situation, I fell into my old habit of thinking ahead to the worst possible outcome, and then actually experiencing that outcome. Crazy!

About halfway through the day, I pulled myself back together and remembered to focus on what I WANT instead of on what I don't want. I used some of the tips from my Secret First Aid Kit, and was able to set myself back onto a positive and productive path. It was only after I'd gotten my mind back under control that I realized I'd forgotten to think ahead to a positive outcome when faced with a daunting situation. When these situations arise, if I just ask myself, "What do I WANT to have happen?" and then envision the outcome I would like to experience, I usually end up experiencing something very similar to what I've imagined. I just forgot to do it this time.

Well, I remembered this special tool part way through the day, and I'm hoping I'll remember a bit sooner the next time. We CAN determine outcomes before they happen - it's all about our attitude and expectations.

"The Secret" Gratitude Book

Oooh...have to say...I just LOVE my Secret Gratitude Book. It's gorgeous to look at, lovely to feel, and fun to use.

The waxy outer cover has the look of old leather and is embossed with the words "thank you" in many different languages. Some of the embossed gold-tinted design looks as if it's been worn away by time. The flap on the front is magnetized so the book stays neatly together when not in use. Inside, the front and back covers are lined with a slightly metallic rich brown color, and the lovely ancient-looking script is used in the helpful quotes on each of the creamy pages. Topping it off is a red ribbon similar to the red color used in "The Secret" seal, to keep your place in the journal.

All of the packaging used for "The Secret" items is so lovely - and so coordinated. Everything has an ancient feel to it, and seems precious in the best sense of the word.

The Gratitude Book has introductory instructions that tell us to say "thank you" 20 times before we begin any writing, and to really mean it. Then, we open up to a 2-page spread; on the left-hand page, we write phrases of gratitude related to the things we currently have. On the right-hand page, we write phrases of gratitude related to the things we're currently working on bringing into our lives, but we write in the present tense as if we already have them.

If desired, we can repeat our "thank you" in between the two pages and/or after we finish with our second page. I'm really enjoying using this lovely purposeful journal. :)

Setting the Table

If I were expecting guests for dinner, I'd set the table before they arrived. I would know they were coming, and would want to be fully prepared when they walked in the door. They would need a place to sit, and I would want the table to be not only prepared and comfortable, but inviting as well.

If I waited until my guests arrived to set the table, I would have to move chairs around, find all the dishes and utensils we needed, and it would be generally disruptive and confusing.

In a similar manner, when I am expecting a change in my life, I must "set the table" for the change just like I set the table for guests. In other words, I do as much as I can in advance to prepare to welcome this new change into my home / world.

It occurred to me last week that even though I'm working at my old job, I am currently "setting the table" for my New Job. I'm learning to manage my emotions in a work setting. I'm learning to let go of petty differences, and to turn my thoughts to the positive as often as possible during the day. I'm learning to get out of bed feeling happy and cheerful, pleased to have a job that helps me support our lifestyle financially. I'm learning to focus meetings on desired outcomes rather than on all the things that could go wrong.

I'm currently setting the table for one of my best dinner parties yet - my New Job. Martha is IN THE HOUSE!

Blogging for Focus

One of my tools for maintaining a focus on what I WANT in life, and on the positive things that are already a part of my life, is blogging. Through the discipline of writing a post on this blog each and every day, I must put my mind on uplifting thoughts so that I can write a useful and meaningful post.

For some reason, I haven't been in one of my most pleasant moods today - just can't figure out why. Anyway, I came in to the computer, determined to complete my daily post. And, just the act of thinking about a post topic, searching for a relevant photo, and remembering how important positive thoughts are to manifesting what I desire in life, have really helped me re-focus! What a pleasant outcome.

Perhaps this is why physical discipline is so important for mental and spiritual growth?

Placing My Order

In "The Secret," we learn that we must place our order with the universe, just like we might flip through a catalog, call the company, and place an order for one of their items.

However, I just read a slightly different analogy on a blog I discovered called Paths to Bliss. In this post on this great blog, the writer talks about placing your order with a waitress, and this image is really helping me with the Believe piece of Ask.Believe.Receive.

When we place a meal order with a waitress, we have ABSOLUTE faith that our order will be out soon. There is no doubt, no wondering, no checking up on. We just know that in a short time, exactly what we ordered will come to us.

I am going to think of my New Job vision as a meal order I placed with the Universe.

A Happiness Continuum

One of my goals with my New Job is that I will like every day of the week as much as I currently love Friday at my old job.

In fact, at my New Job, I like workdays, weekends and off hours equally. It's what I call my "happiness continuum." The happiness and pleasant feelings roll seamlessly from one timeframe into another, and are all equally as pleasant and enjoyable. I look forward to them all with similar feelings of happiness and anticipation.

With my New Job, I feel just as eager to go to work as I do to go home, or to enjoy a free weekend, because I am doing what I love to do during all of these times. I live in a "happiness continuum." What bliss.

Baby Steps

I've noticed lately that good things have been coming to me in little baby steps.

Each day, some new little pleasantry happens to me. For example, this morning I was thinking about a situation that would be happening today at my old job, and, as quietly and as easily as you please, a thought slid into my mind about how to best handle the situation. As soon as I reviewed the thought, I realized its merit, and determined to put it to use during my day. It worked like a dream!

I've also been attracting such positive input from a variety of places - wonderful connections from "The Secret" Facebook page, great videos and quotes from the "Positive Thoughts" Facebook posts, and even positively focused people who say wonderful things to me. We've also been enjoying some fabulous outcomes at work, from situations that previously would have been very unpleasant.

So, even though my goal is for something large - a FABULOUS NEW JOB - I am so pleased to see these very positive and pleasant things coming to me, in little baby steps. It seems as if I'm that baby in the photo, learning to train my mind to think about positive results like its thinking about putting one foot in front of the other. And, the Universe is the two parents - helping me a manifest my goals like they are helping the baby stay upright and move in a given direction.

Baby steps - I'll just keep taking baby steps.

"The Secret" First Aid Kit

Today I really needed my "Secret" First Aid Kit. I got pretty far off track from focusing on what I WANT in my life, including my New Job, and spent some useless time thinking about what I didn't want.

To help get my thoughts back to where I wanted them, I decided to list all of the many ways I've come up with for reminding myself to keep my thoughts centered on my fabulous life. Here's what's in my "Secret" First Aid Kit:

• Writing a journal entry multiple times during the day.
• Taking a moment to visualize and really "feel" what I want in my life.
• Writing this daily disciplined blog post.
• Reading the inspirational posts on "The Secret" Facebook page daily...really love it.
• Viewing the Positive Thoughts videos on Facebook and Following lots of inspirational people on Twitter.
• Talking together about our positive goals at work, at the start of any department meeting.
• Listening to "The Secret" book on CD.
• Watching "The Secret" movie on DVD.
• Taping index cards in strategic locations around the house - on my alarm clock, on bathroom mirrors, in the kitchen - that remind me about what I WANT in my life.
• Catching myself when necessary and turning my thoughts around to focus on what I WANT; sometimes, this involves talking out loud to myself!
• Thinking about only the present moment whenever possible; chances are, in that moment, I am probably pretty happy.

This is a good list of options to turn to whenever I wound myself with negative thoughts. These are the bandages, medicine, and salve for my mind, soul, and spirit.

In the Moment

Somehow, while I was getting ready to go to my old job this morning, it occurred to me that if I just focused on the current moment, I was pretty happy!

I was sitting at my vanity in my warm and cozy bedroom in our warm and cozy house. My lovely daughter was getting herself ready in her warm and cozy room across the hall. Our cats were purring and chasing each other around our house with total freedom. My steaming and comforting mug of tea was right beside me. We have plenty to eat, the bills are paid, we have heat, electricity, running water, telephones, wireless Internet. We have complete health, loving families, and freedom to make choices. That's really so much to be thankful for, and there's so much more that I haven't listed.

It was such a terrific thought to have, and really made me think that that's all one really needs to do during the day - take care of the present moment. In doing that, it's easy to think about what is good at only that moment. It also seems easier to focus on what I WANT, since I'm only thinking about focusing right now, in the moment.

This idea of focusing on and living in the moment seems to make the day so much more positive and easy. Oh, yeah!

Recovery Period

I read this on the Positive Thoughts Facebook post today:

"Experiment with the idea that thoughts are not something that happen to you. They are what you do to yourself. Positivity is also a learned response - and grows with practice.''

I experienced this today...I was dealing with a few tough situations that would normally throw me into a tizzy - leaving me unhappy during the day, and even into the evening and possibly further into the week.

To prepare myself for what I was facing, I worked on an image last night for how I wanted everything to go during these events. I also reminded myself throughout the day today that it's important to focus as often as possible on what I WANT, rather than on what I don't want. As often as I remembered to, I thought about my wonderful new job and the many benefits it brings into my life. I also used my journal frequently, as it was needed frequently, to keep my mind focused properly.

All of these things helped me recover soooo much faster than I used to. Tonight, I really do feel calm and contented. The situations at work are somehow objective and just something to get through temporarily until my New Job arrives. I'm the doctor AND the patient!

Let It Go

Today's task has been one of letting go of old thoughts related to my old job. It's surprising to me just how much of my thought time has been taken up with what I don't want. These old thoughts have been keeping what I don't want in my life.

So, today's task has been:

• Realizing that I'm having these unwanted thoughts.
• Saying to myself, "Let it go...just let it go. What do you WANT?"
• Thinking in as much detail, and with as strong feelings as I can conjure, about what I WANT - my fabulous NEW JOB.

Tomorrow will be challenging at work - some obstacles are coming my way. I need to get myself mentally prepared to handle it. To remind myself that this is just temporary work and that the decisions and actions are really unimportant to me. What IS important is to think about my wonderful NEW JOB as often as possible.

What I think about I bring about.

Thought Replacement

Lordy, these old thought patterns are just so doggone stubborn!

While working around the house today, I keep thinking about unpleasant situations at my old job, which has been a long-standing habit of mine. Now that I understand "The Secret," I know that I need to keep my thoughts focused on what I WANT, rather than what I don't want.

Since I want my fabulous New Job, my task today has been to simply replace my old thoughts any time I realize I'm having them with new thoughts. As soon as I realize the old habit has kicked in, I turn my thoughts in the opposite and POSITIVE direction, and begin thinking about how wonderful my New Job is...how much I love it every day, how fortunate I feel to get to do such fun work on a daily basis, and how wonderful and kind my co-workers are.

Once in awhile, my old thoughts are rather stubborn and persistent and it requires extra effort to turn them around. When that happens, I actually talk out loud to myself, describing all the details I can think of about my New Job, until my mind gets the picture.

Whew - can't wait until my mind has POSITIVE thought as a daily habit. I'm getting there!

Constant Reminders

Some of the tools I'm using to stay focused on handling my old job effectively while also thinking about the pleasures of my New Job are a variety of constant reminders. Since I'm working to change old habits that are decades old, I'm finding that I need extra reinforcements throughout the day. Here's what's helping right now:

Hourly Journal

While I don't always write something every hour, I do write in my journal several times throughout the day. This journal is just a blank lined book with a cover image that appeals to me. When I'm dealing with a tough situation at work, or just feel like I need to remember my goal more clearly, I write a page in my journal. Most often, the notes are about how wonderful my New Job will be and some of its details. Sometimes, though, I also write about how I will deal with my old job and some of the situations it throws my way.

"The Secret" on Facebook

What a thrill to find a "Secret" Fan page on Facebook. I keep this open on my computer throughout the day and check in every so often to read the latest motivational and inspirational posts from Fans throughout the world. It serves as a wonderful reminder to stay positive and continue to work toward what you want in your life.

Book on CD

I pop a disc of the book on CD into my computer, and when I'm performing tasks that don't need my mind (like filing, cleaning up paperwork, etc.), I listen to "The Secret" book on CD. What a great reminder tool.

Meeting Topic

I'm really grateful that my employee is aware of, and agrees with the concepts of, "The Secret. This allows us to openly discuss it at work. Instead of focusing our meetings on boring or unpleasant work tasks, we focus on what our goals are for the day, our desired outcomes related to specific situations, and providing moral support for one another when we find ourselves dealing with potentially unpleasant scenarios.

All of these tools are helping to keep me focused on what I WANT to have happen in my life. I'm really enjoying putting all of this to work, and want it to develop into a lifelong habit of working toward the good in life.

Staying Strong

Well, my New Job did not come to me by the time my vacation was up, and I had to go back to my old job today.

Knowing that it has been difficult to stay positive while I'm there, AND that I want to continue to focus on bringing a wonderful New Job into my life, I had to do a little mental prep work last night to pump myself up and make sure I was mentally strong for today.

Last night I had begun to fall into my old chains of habit related to worry and dread, thinking about how much I was going to dislike everything at my old job. When I realized what I was doing and how this old process had attracted unpleasant things into my life, I gave myself a little talking to that went something like this:

"Come on now...get a hold of yourself. You know you're going back there, so you may as well make the best of it. This is YOUR life, and you want it to be a good one. Try using The Secret during the day - make it part of your daily plan at work. Meet about it just like you'd meet about a work project. While you're busy during your workday, stay calm, stay focused and positive, and make sure you have a good day - you're the only one who can make that happen. And, this is your life - own it."

So, this morning, the first thing we did at my old job was to talk about our joint goal for the day - we wanted to each have an enjoyable day, stay calm, work objectively through any difficult situations, and support each other as needed. We decided to view everything from the attitude of a temp employee, since that's what we are - we'll be leaving soon when we get our New Jobs! As temp employees, we can avoid any emotional attachments to projects or outcomes, and can keep an objective attitude about most requests and situations.

And, it worked! We congratulated one another at the end of the day over our terrific success. We maintained a calm and positive feeling throughout the ENTIRE day! We're planning to hold a similar meeting every morning to map our our goals related to The Secret and how we want to manifest the Law of Attraction in our personal and our work lives.

I'm so proud of our progress today. I know we can do it again tomorrow.

Preparing to Receive

Last night while I was doing my New Job Visioning, I decided to fast-forward a bit to how it feels to RECEIVE this New Job into my life...

When I find out I have RECEIVED this New Job, I am overjoyed! I am just so excited to have this miracle happen in my life. I am jumping up and down and clapping and dancing. I tell my daughter and she is so happy too, because how I feel every day affects her life too.

I also tell my friends, family, contacts, and buddy co-workers. Finally, I tell my boss and the HR department at my old job. We do all of the necessary paperwork to end my employment there, and I am then free to move on immediately to my New Job.

What joy...to get to do a job I LOVE on a daily basis, to work with fun and friendly people, to be responsible only for myself and my work, and to want to go to work each day. I love what I do and I want to do it. I love working at such an interesting job on a daily basis, and working with such nice people on a daily basis. Sometimes during the day, I dance for the sheer joy of having such a great job. I want to kiss and hug everybody because I'm just so happy.

It's so pleasurable to think about how I'll feel when I receive the fantastic news that I have a wonderful New Job.

Things I Like to Do

There are just so many things that I like to do, and it would be just wonderful if many of them could be combined into my New Job:

• Social Media - Blogger, Facebook, Twitter
• Writing
• Gourmet Cooking & Eating
• Travel
• Photography
• Oscar-nominated Films
• Arts / Crafts / Culture
• Brainstorming
• Planning & Organizing
• Creating a Cozy Environment
• Creativity

I am completely open to accepting and beginning my New Job, and to the new possibilities that the Universe puts before me. I am so ready for my new fun adventure to begin. I accept my New Job happily and eagerly.

Visioning

One of my favorite parts of living "The Secret" is the visioning step. To me, this is the most pleasurable, AND the easiest. Here's how I go about it...

The most conducive place for me to do this is in my cozy soft bed. First, everything there feels so warm and comforting, so I'm automatically in a good place mentally. I like to snuggle in and feel the softness of the sheets and pillows. Second, it seems the easiest place to concentrate, because the lights are out and there's nothing else going on, and I can really direct my thoughts.

Once I'm comfortable and cozy, I lay there and begin with my positive and in-the-present statement of what I'm currently envisioning. Since I'm imagining my New Job right now, I think about how excited I am when I hear about it and accept it. I then imagine how I feel every day, working with such kind and helpful people, being responsible only for my own work, and thinking sometimes during the day just how lucky I am to get to do this for work. I continue on with every aspect of my New Job that I've been able to imagine, and think about how that feels and how much I enjoy it. This process continues until I fall asleep.

It's sooooo enjoyable to envision things I like, that make me feel happy, and that I truly would love to experience in my daily life. It makes me so eager to get into bed each night.

The Storm

Wow - the closer I get to the end of my vacation and my vision deadline, the fiercer the storm becomes. The elements of my personal storm include:

• drinking too much wine
• talking badly about work or employees with my coworker friends
• obsessing about unpleasant situations or people at my old job
• deadening my thoughts by becoming absorbed in movie after movie
• eating junk food

During the storm, I find that my mind keeps wandering back to my old job and all of its unpleasant associations. Each time this happens, I must pull my thoughts back to what I want. I am trying to turn my fear of going back to that old job into faith that I am about to accept my fabulous New Job...one that I love so much and am so pleased to have.

I'm finding that FAITH is one of the more challenging pieces of working "The Secret." I find it fairly easy to envision what I want, and even to imagine how I will feel when I attain my vision. It's the believing it will come to pass piece that seems to need my attention. I need to believe that what I am thinking about, focusing on, and concentrating upon, is coming into my life...as it surely is.

How Long?

Some time during late November 2009, an event happened at my old job that really crystallized for me that it was time to get a New Job in the very near future. I had already seen "The Secret" movie and had used some of its principles for modest changes in my life. I determined that it was now time to use it for a BIG change - my fabulous New Job.

On December 6, 2009, I really launched this new initiative in my mind. On that date, I first began using a journal, describing the attributes of my New Job. I wrote in this journal throughout the week, and sometimes throughout the day, depending on how much reminding I needed about my new goal. I put reminder notes around my house and in my car, and also told a few select people about it. I did a little online job searching, but stopped when I felt that it wasn't the right way to go about finding something new and fabulous.

In "The Secret" DVD, we're told that we need to set goals that seem reasonable to us...believeable, logical, do-able. While working on my vision for my New Job, I wanted to choose a time frame so the universe would know that I wanted this change to happen VERY soon. Since my vacation at my old job began just before Christmas and ended January 7, 2010, I decided that my New Job vision should include finding this new employment by January 7, so I won't have to return to my old job.

Part of my Crisis of Faith is that this deadline is now very close! It is requiring more effort to stay focused on the positive, because I don't have any leads yet. Do I even entertain thoughts of this change not happening by the date I've set? I really don't know how long to give a change like this. I DO know that I've wanted a New Job for many years now, but have only really made this a firm decision as of December 6.

My old office is completely cleaned out, and I've done as much as I can to distance my self and my thoughts from it. Perhaps today I will spend some time doing online job searches? Thoughts...anyone? Advice?

Help, Universe!

Crisis of Faith

Wow...had a pretty tough night last night. I think it must be what is called a crisis of faith?

Last evening, while surfing the web, I happened to come across a few websites / videos that refute "The Secret" principles. Then, when I went to bed last night, I was having a really hard time focusing my mind on what I want. During the night, I had a bad dream about my old job, and woke up this morning tired and worried.

I really need to spend some time today re-focusing on what I want in my New Job. It would probably also be a good idea to use my writing journal throughout the day, to help me center my thoughts on my desired outcome.

I already feel better after writing this post - January 2010...a Fabulous New Job for me!!

Focusing Journal

When I find it challenging to keep my thoughts focused on what I WANT, instead of on what I don't want, I find that a journal helps me manage my mental wanderings.

Throughout the day, especially on the really hard days, I write down all the details of what I want in my life, even if I've already written these things down before. The act of writing helps me keep my mind pinpointed on the positive.

There are some days that require a newly written journal page just about every hour or so. It's an extremely helpful tool, and I keep LOTS of blank journals around so I feel completely free to write, write, write.

My main goal is to keep myself thinking about my new job as frequently as possible. After all, "what I think about, I bring about."