Promises and promises but what about 2007 ?

The truth is I wanted to change the world by all means. And on the way I got overwhelmed. My list of “to do’s” became longer and longer.
I had a list but no Vision. That’s what I realised when I started to read and learn about coaching.

My dream is to make the world a greener and a safer place. But I didn’t know where to start. My grandmother always says : change starts with yourself. And she is more then right !

So I promised myself to do all I could do to save the world again. I ended up with a long list. Oh, I do more then most people.
I recycle, buy organic, don’t use to much (hot) water, water the plants with rainwater. I plant trees and eat most vegetables out of our own garden etc.

But I wanted to do more : use solar energy, drive a hybrid car … promises and promises and I got stuck and depressed. I wasn’t changing the world. I was spreading the word of ecological disasters but nobody was listening. Maybe that’s not entirely fair, I had my fans, 3, no 2, my wife and my daughter.

Nothing really happened until I threw all my promises away. Yep, that’s what I did and I didn’t even recycle them.

I’m so happy Al Gore made “An Inconvenient Truth”, it gave me the support I was looking for.

He lost the elections in 2000 and he came back. Al Gore has a vision that kept him going. Building on a better world and serving others. On his site Climate Crisis – What you Can Do, you can find an useful list. He gives everyone the chance to do something good.

I sat down and looked back at 2006 without punishment or judgement. Took some recycled paper and wrote down my vision for 2007. I added the hidden challenges that have been sabotaging my success.
You can’t imagine what an energy that released. I saw myself coaching, because I believe I can help people to make the changes in their lives. So they can start living a positive life : less fears and a lot of passion.

How did I do it ?

For 2007 I asked myself the following:

1. What’s my truth? Is there anything I’m withholding ? Am I making choices that are taking me closer to my Vision, or am I searching for excuses to keep me in the “DOUBT LOOP ?

2. What do I want to accomplish this year? Is this in line with my VISION STATEMENT ?

3. Do I have a specific action plan that includes a timeframe and a system of accountability to help me stay on track even when other distractions present themselves or when it feels more difficult than I anticipated?

4. Hold myself accountable for the things I said I would do? I wrote it down and took a coach. Commitments spoken out to somebody who’s trusting you, will make it more easy to keep. A commitment that stays in your head has the same value as a new years promise, NONE

Out of this vision I created my action plan. No more list of “to do’s”, a real plan that moves me forward.

A plan can change your life. It changed mine.