How To Get On Board The Inspiration Station

Well it’s officially that time of year again. The time when stores are overflowing with back to school goodies, gadgets, and gear. It’s a time of getting ready to get down to business. Even though we still have several more weeks of summer; this energetic shift into back to school mode creates a big impact. What does back to school make you think about? Does it make you secretly wish you could pick out a new backpack, pens, notebooks, and pencil holder? Do you think about learning new things and meeting new friends? Does it make you anticipate the autumn season? If you find yourself connecting with any of these things then you are tapping into the back to school energies.
 
I love and I mean love back to school time. I always have and probably always will. The way that some people count down the days to their favorite holidays pretty much gives you an idea of how I feel about back to school. Trust me, I know it’s not a holiday but I really get a lot of happiness from this time of year. I hit the back to school aisle like it’s going out of style and I like to look at and touch all the cool new things that are out for the season. I treat myself to a few notebooks, cool pens, and sometimes even a new box of crayons. (Don’t you love the way that new crayon’s smell? Or is it just me…)
 
In addition to the goodies, I like to feel the excitement that fills the aisles as people get ready for a whole new cycle of fresh starts and new beginnings. Living in a university town there’s a huge age bracket of back to schooler’s. I enjoy watching the students prepare and set intentions for their new start by consciously choosing the things they put into their cart. You can almost see it on their faces; that the items they choose are being infused with their hopes and dreams for this new semester and school year. I like to think about how I did the same thing when I was a student and how something as simple as a new pack of pens, reams of paper, and notebooks made things seem fresh and full of possibility.
 
The great news about back to school is that you don’t have to be a student to get in on this great energy and use it to support you in moving forward. How great is that? Pretty great, I think.
 
So, what have you been wanting to do but continue to say, “When I do this____________ then I will do this___________.”
Or, what have you been putting off until you felt more inspired? Guess what? This is a fantastic time to jump on the inspiration station and fuel your own back to school energies and drive with the energy that is happening right now. This is a time to get organized and to get down to business. We have turned the corner on the last part of this year and the end is definitely in sight. Think about all of those things that you wanted to do this year. How is that list coming? Are you feeling good about what you have done or are there still quite a few things that are on your list that you wish you could’ve gotten to already? This is a great time to prepare and set some intentions for the rest of the year just like the students in the back to school aisle.
 
Here are a few things that you can do to jump start your fresh start:

• Get Organized: 
  Get a planner or implement a system that works for you. Not everyone uses the same system, find what is right for you.
   
• Set Goals and Intentions: 
  What do you want to do and why? Getting clear on this makes all the difference in the world. Once you understand what you want to do, it’s easier to move forward.
   
• Work with a Professional: 
  Contact someone to offer you support so you can move forward. Working with a Coach, Advisor, or Counselor can be a huge resource and support system. This is especially true if you have been procrastinating for a long time. Getting professional help will allow you to move forward more quickly and efficiently.
   
• Take Control of Your Schedule: 
  Get crystal clear on time wasting areas or behaviors and do some restructuring to create time for what you want to do. There is always a way to create time if you are willing to let go of things that no longer serve you.
   
• Get On the No Train: 
  Marie Forleo talks about getting on the No train all the time and I love it because it’s so true. Let go of saying yes to things, people, and situations out guilt, obligation, or ___________. Make your dreams, goals, and desires a priority by saying yes to you and getting comfortable with being on the No train.
   
• Take Action: 
  You can’t move forward without physically doing the work. No matter what your dreams or goals are, you have to put in the physical human effort. If you are feeling stuck or need some support, no problem, ask for support. If you need help asking for help, ask a trusted friend to sit with you as you make calls or go to appointments.

I hope this list will give you some ideas of things you can do right now to shift into a place of forward motion and new beginnings. Choose to round out this year strong by making your dreams and desires a priority.
 
I invite you to take a little trip to your local store where back to school items are filling the aisles. See if you can glean some inspiration and excitement energy just from being there. You may feel guided to pick up some back to school goodies to support you in making a fresh start in the direction of your dreams and goals. It is never too late to move toward what you want. You can absolutely do it.

Do you have a friend or colleague who could use a little boost of inspiration to help them get going with their dreams or goals? Please forward this message over to them so they can get on board the back to school train too. Thank you!