“Keep in mind always the present you are constructing. It should be the future you want.”—Alice Walker

So, recently I just finished a 12-month business coaching program and wanted to identify a new business coach that would support the next stage of my business goals. Please know that I have realized that I don’t do well without a coach. I really appreciate having a support network, new skills and strategy from a coach that has done what I want to do, even if it is a size-able investment. 

However, before I went on the search, I had to do some reflection first. This include identifying what progress I had made, as well as what I had not achieved yet. The other reflection points included being clear on what was the structure of the type of business I wanted to run in the future, so I could find coaches who were doing it that way.

One of the things that I am learning in the process is how much I’ve changed. Before, I would definitely make my decisions based on where I’m at right now. When we do that, it often keeps us where we’re at right now. What I’m learning, even though it’s frightening, is to make decisions from where you want to be. For example, think about an investment that you’re considering. Would your future self be upset with you that you made that investment or would be so thankful that you decided to take that leap?

I want to share three things that I think are important before moving quickly into the person who you want to be and achieving the future success you want for your life. 

Take some time to define who your future self is.

When we don’t do this, it is a form of self-sabotage. Write down what your future self does each day and learn about what makes her happy. Identify what things are in her life still, and what things did she eliminate. When we do this we can start to look at our current life and take a look at what has to go,  what can stay and what needs to be cultivated. In addition, we can start to see what things we’re going to need support on in order to get to that future self. For example, if you want to be financially free, then there should be work that you’re doing now to get to that point, whether that be investing or getting a financial advisor-  there has to be a pathway that you are building that’s getting you to that space of who your future self.

Get into the communities with people who have achieved the success that you want. 

Another thing that I’m learning is that is to be in the room where it happens. It is absolutely transformative. When I invested in this new coaching program this past week and came into their private community,  I saw all of these people who I had followed on social media- people who had created seven figure businesses. It was so motivating because the conversations were on a higher level. I was learning what needs to be  in place in order to maintain that kind of business. It’s absolutely invaluable to be in community with those who have already accomplished what you hope to achieve. 

Build systems. 

In order to relieve the stress that comes with building your life to move closer to your future self, we need to stop being reactive and start being proactive. So what I mean by that is, think about five things that were stressful for you this week. Was there anything you could have put in place BEFOREHAND to prevent that situation from arising or mitigate it that were high stress for you this week? Systems can be anything from scheduled meetings, to planned conversations, and setting up automations for your life. You have to build some systems in place to ensure that as you grow, as you move into future self, the things that take up most of your time can be reduced so that you can find more peace and time freedom. 

I hope that this is helpful for you as you’re in this community. Start thinking about what your goals are, have you defined what that future self looks like for you? Have you identify community that is strategic and specific to the things that you want to accomplish? Are you building systems in order to get back time, freedom and energy to propel into your success with less struggle and sacrifice?

If not, today is your day.