Think back to the last time you paid for a product, membership, or event hoping it would forever change your life – or at least create a noticeable improvement.  Chances are it did not.  A simple shift in power can make all the difference in creating a life you love.     

We are trained to seek internal change from the external world.  We pay personal trainers to make us stronger, we eat pinto beans to lower our cholesterol, and we attend seminars in hopes of walking away more enlightened.  For some, these actions have lasting effects, or transformational power.  For most, the impact either is minimal and short-term, or there is no impact at all. 

The difference lies in the power of creation.  Let me give you an example.  I am in a coaching group, of which the participants share a common objective of living lives we love.  We meet every other week and have homework assignments to complete in between sessions.  Even though I have two weeks to complete the assignments, I consistently find myself scrambling to get them done on the way to the session.  “No big deal,” I rationalize.  “At least I’m showing up, and will get my money’s worth out of attending the sessions.”         

Often I catch myself relinquishing my power to create my life.  The scenario above is my version of expecting others to do the work for me.  I’ll show up to the session, some expert will shower me with wisdom, and I will be changed.  Is it any surprise I didn’t feel like I was getting much out of the group?   

If I am honest with myself, I was going through the motions, checking the boxes, thinking my "comfortable" efforts should be enough.  Two weeks ago, I made a shift.  I created the intention to utilize the tools I was being given (i.e., be fully present with the homework), and I committed to creating a life I love.  Guess what?  No longer am I feeling comfortable!  In fact, I feel quite uncomfortable, not to mention challenged, frustrated, discouraged...  Alas, I am transforming.     

When we do not set an intention to be the creator of the change, the change will not come.  Nobody else can do the work for us; we must own the possibility to create something new for ourselves.  It doesn’t always feel super, but I am finding it’s the only way to escape the vicious cycle of new promises and perpetual letdowns.

What part(s) of your life are you committed to transforming?  This week, what is a small step you could take to own your power to create your life?

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