A Brand New World

Your intentions for 2017 are set.

You’ve taken the month of January to hone them, rather than jumping ahead.

Congratulations!

But do you feel like you’re already drifting, pushed and pulled by aggressive people, a frantic 24/7 news and social media cycle, and seemingly endless negativity?

You need to put Joan Baez’ classic protest anthem, “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around” on your playlist. Here’s the chorus:

Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me around

Turn me around

Turn me around

Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me around

Keep on a walking, keep on a talking

Gonna build a brand new world

Those rousing lyrics are still uplifting, no matter what side of the political aisle you’re on. In fact, it’s good inspiration for the January series about creating your vision, Uncharted Territory.

Shannon Kaiser had a dream for her business – a big one. Then she went into overdrive, constantly chasing the next speaking engagement, book deal, or set of followers. She says, “The first three years of my business were the hardest, not because they were particularly hard – but because I made them hard with my expectations and attachments to how things should look.”

At the brink of burn-out, she realized, “If I want my business to work, I have to make sure I am working.”

Shannon makes a great point. A vision without grounding isn’t sustainable. However, there’s good news – if you want a simple technique for times when you feel scattered, try affirmations.

Let me guess – you’re already rolling your eyes and reciting Al Franken’s “Saturday Night Live” parody: “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me”.

Or you could feel like one of my friends who joked, “What – you just tell yourself something over and over?”

Fair enough.

So let’s leave those experiences in the past. Let’s reboot affirmations so they’re relevant, and what’s more, effective.

Affirmations done well align our internal self-talk with the external. They’re how we know we’re creating a future that matches our aspirations and values, not someone else’s version of how our life should be. And they can be a tool for holding ourselves accountable in a kind, healthy way. That’s being a good boss of yourself – exactly what being a Soul Boss is about.

When you find yourself drifting this year, these 7 affirmations will help get you back to center:

1. I allow myself to think big! I go beyond the expectations or achievements of others.
2. Source is showing me the next, right action. I know when to hit the gas or tap the brakes.
3. I give up old hurts. As I release them, I make space for Good.
4. I am resilient when struggles arise. I don’t get derailed – I am a bounce-back person!
5. I focus on what matters most. I let petty annoyances float by.
6. I am in control of my emotions. I respond to situations rather than reacting.
7. I disengage from sensational headlines. I know what is true for me.

Don’t let anyone turn you around. It’s time to build your brand new world.