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10 Areas of Self-Exploration - Part Two

February, 2011
In This Issue
From the Positive Perspective...10 Areas of Self-Exploration
Quote of the month:
  

"Family is the most important organization in society, the most important work

we will ever do

will be within

the walls of our homes." 

by Stephen Covey, author.

My Philosophy 

 My therapeutic philosophy is a combination of believing that discussions of the past can help you to understand where you have come from, which allows you to be able to define where you are today, which further aids in the creating of goals needed to help you reach your full potential. 

 

 I will treat you with compassion, understanding and respect, knowing that asking for help is not an easy thing to do.

 

  
 YOU ARE WORTH THE EFFORT!! 

Life is not always easy.  It doesn't come with a manual.  But it usually does come with an instinct to seek help when it is needed.

 

I welcome the opportunity to help you work through current issues and to look at your future with a sense of hope and purpose.

My Source for the
10 Areas of
Self-Exploration:

 

What Are Your Goals: Powerful Questions to Discover What You Want
Out of Life
by
Gary Ryan Blair
  

 

Greetings! 

 

Here is Part Two of one of my favorite books to use with clients, entitled What Are Your Goals: Powerful Questions to Discover What You Want Out of Life by Gary Ryan Blair.  This book is a guide to looking at 10 areas of your life that, when explored, can help to open up new possibilities and rejuvenate a family, couple or individual. If you missed Part One earlier this month you can go to my website www.dabalmft.com and click on the link on the bottom of the homepage to view it and my other newsletters.  Once again, I chose to share this information with you in the hopes that it inspires you to look at your life as well.   

 

Please forward this email  to someone who could benefit from its content.   

  

Enjoy......

 

Sincerely,

 

Maryellen Dabal, MA, LMFTA

420 North Carroll Ave Suite 140

Southlake, TX 76092

817-876-9958 
www.dabalmft.com

[email protected]

 

Missed previous newsletters??

Go to www.dabalmft.com.  Click on the newsletters link at the bottom of the home page. Enjoy.....

 

From The Positive Perspective.......

 
Area#6: Community Goals - Explore how you can help those outside of your immediate family and friends by reflecting on what you can do for the greater society.  Think how you can donate both your time and possessions to those in need.  This doesn't mean that you quit your job and volunteer 24/7 if you are not a position to do so, but how about that Wednesday night that you are free on a regular basis? Would local hospital patients benefit from your talent of playing the guitar for them?  You are doing something you truly love and helping others as well.  Things around your home that are not useful to you any longer can be donated.  Local shelters would be thrilled to accept some of the toys your children no longer play with.  Also think about a cause that is near and dear to your heart. Giving of your time and talent to something that has a meaning in your life will be returned to you in ways you can't even imagine.

 

Area #7: Career Goals - There is a difference between a job and a career.  If you are one of the few who truly are passionate about what you do...celebrate that.  If you are someone who is not passionate about what you do, explore ways of incorporating that passion into your current job to increase your satisfaction.  For instance, let's say you like to organize events. Your place of employment may allow you to organize a fundraiser to help out a local charity, one that is special to you or to someone in the organization.  Analyze how you can take advantage of new technology to be better at your occupation.  Would going back to school help you advance your career in a direction that is desirable to you? Create opportunities to network with people who can help strengthen some of your weaknesses.  Find a mentor who is doing what you want to do.....connect and learn from them.  

Imagine yourself 3 or 5 or 10 years from now.  Where do you want to be with your career?  Develop a path to get there.

 

Area #8:  Financial Goals - Here we want to think about income, savings & investments, retirement and estate planning.  Define your income goal for this year, next year and five years from now.  Design a plan to get there.  Talk to some experts.  Explore other talents you have that could possibly add to your existing income.  Many small businesses started out as a hobby or part-time job for someone.  With regard to savings and investments, are you in a 401(k) or work savings plan if you are currently working?  Define what you currently have in your emergency fund or college education fund.  Examine your current budget (do you have one?).  Examine your tax structure with an expert.  Even children can learn how to have financial goals.  They can take 20% of their allowance and learn what it means to "save" it.  Show them how the money is growing.  Discuss with them their success when they have saved up for something and were actually able to walk in and buy it themselves.  Celebrate that accomplishment with them. For retirement, look at what lifestyle you want when you retire and what age is desirable.  Your estate should be in order as well with regards to a will, life insurance for those left behind and oddly enough, think about what you want to be remembered for.......do you currently demonstrate those qualities to deserve that recognition?  If not, make some changes.....

 

Area #9: Household Goals - Take a look at the possessions you have such as a car and/or your apartment or home.  Define what your ideal is and what strides you are taking to achieve that.  Describe what steps you can take to make each of these items safer, more efficient or even simplified if you feel overwhelmed.  Protection against theft or fire should be checked.  Possibly better locks on your doors or a security system would need to be installed to protect loved ones; or an escape plan for you and those living with you, should a fire occur. Making your home a place of sanctuary and peace (yes, it can be done...even with kids) can be key to your outlook and perspective on life.

 

Area#10: Spiritual Goals - Examine both your inner as well as your outer spiritual growth.  Describe what peace looks like to you and how you can build more spiritual connections in your life.  Deepening your faith as you see fit can allow you to learn so much about whom you really are and who you want to be.  Take a look at a spiritual leader that you admire.  Define his/her qualities and how the two of you are alike and different.  What would you like to change to be more like that other person? Make a plan to do it.  Once you have done that, educate those around you and invite them to share this journey with you.  Would becoming involved in a local group that shares your ideals help you to grow even more?  Celebrate the accomplishments you make and share them with others.

 

Now that you have even more things to think about, I hope you feel encouraged to look at least one of these 10 areas and make life more of what you want it to be.  Analyze one area a week or one a month.....the choice is yours.  Celebrate the areas where you feel you don't have to make any changes.  Just remember to have patience as you attempt these changes.  Change is not easy.  Change puts us outside our comfort zone.  Allow yourself the time to change.  Allow your spouse or daughter or Dad that same time as well. 

   

If you wish to go more in depth with this discussion, please call my office to set up an appointment and I will gladly assist in the discovery process. 

 

I wish you well on your journey this month and remember that it helps to look at these areas from the Positive Perspective.... 

 

Feedback
I welcome feedback regarding the newsletter or questions about my practice.  I can be reached at [email protected].  I cannot, however, give advice through email. For more information on my practice please visit my website: www.dabalmft.com

I wish you well...