What would your 12-year-old self say if the two of you got together for a chat? Or if you had a chance to sit down with your future self, how would that conversation go?
We got thinking about that with the latest round of commercials, adults thanking their younger selves for doing well in school. It’s pure Hollywood, of course … it hasn’t happened to either of us and probably won’t any time soon!
But self-talk is a powerful force in your journey to an OolaLife, for better or worse. It can reconnect you with the dreams life has beaten down – remember when you wanted to be an astronaut? – or use past failures to sabotage your efforts. Don’t let anyone, even yourself, tell you that you’re not worthy or good enough to live the OolaLife. Imagine how much your future self will appreciate breathing easier because you found the strength to kick the nicotine habit, for example.
OK, it’s time to use self-talk to reach your OolaGoals!
• Don’t beat yourself up. How do you talk to a despondent friend? We’re willing to bet you don’t throw in a few faults he might have forgotten and call him a big loser. Approach yourself with that same compassion. We can’t change the past. And though everything we’ve done before, good and bad, has led us to where we are today, it doesn’t define WHO we are. It’s up to us to write a new ending to this story.
• Dare to dream. Think about where you want to be five years down the road, and 10 years after that. You’re the steward of your future. What needs to be done now to realize your OolaGoal? Start with the 7 F’s of Oola – fitness, finance, family, field, faith, friends, and fun – and with the OolaWheel, find where you stand today. Then take the baby steps that will keep you from dreading a visit from Dickens’ haunting Ghost of Yet to Come. Holding yourself accountable to your future self is a powerful motivator to put things in balance now!
• Live in the moment! Enough time-travel, already. Right here and now, use your self-talk conversations with your past and future to tap into your strengths, grow through your challenges, and fulfill your dreams. Today offers a fresh start; make the most of it. Give yourself a warm hug and step down the OolaPath with self-confidence and a clear sense of purpose. And always remember …
Be grateful, have faith, and go get your OolaLife!