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Welcome to the Dream Big & Bloom podcast for creating a life you absolutely love Episode #43
Hi! I’m Mardi Lynn, certified Dreambuilder Coach and author of Living Happy, Rich and Free After 60, the guidebook and scorecard for achieving your dreams and I help women create lives they absolutely love.
The DreamBuilder Program that I teach is a proven, reliable system for overcoming any challenge and achieving any dream no matter how big it seems.
This podcast will introduce you to the powerful principles and practices of the DreamBuilder system and show you the mindsets that are growing or slowing your progress.
Today we’re talking about having “Meaningful Work.” It’s Mindset #9 in Living Happy, Rich and Free, the Guidebook and Scorecard for achieving your dreams.
You can get a copy of the book at https://dreambigandbloom.com/guidebook/
Meaningful Work Means Creative Expression and Contribution
For those of you who are new to the podcast, “Meaningful Work” is not just about finding a job or starting a business. It includes volunteering and mentoring. A better term might be “Creative Expression.” It’s about sharing your unique talents or abilities — it’s about making a contribution in the world — about fulfilling your life’s purpose.
Have you ever felt that there was something special you were meant to do in this life? Maybe you’ve felt a nudge but never allowed yourself to pay much attention to it?
Or maybe raising children was your true calling and you accomplished that but you have some passion projects that you put on the back burner and you’re ready to pursue them. now.
As we approach retirement age, many of us are considering new possibilities.
Perhaps you have retired from a career that you truly enjoyed, and you’re missing it. You’re seeking new ways to feel productive and fulfilled.
Perhaps you have worked at a “J-O-B” that you just put up with in order to make money and you’re very happy to be retired, but you’re longing for something else to do that is more fulfilling. You would rather “rewire, rather than “retire.”
Perhaps you’re longing to be engaged in full-time or part-time work in order to make a contribution — to make a difference in people’s lives — to share your wisdom and experience and generate some extra income.
Perhaps you’re eager to do volunteer work, mentor, or even create a non-profit organization in an area you are passionate about.
Perhaps you’re longing to make a business out of a passion or talent you have, like writing a book or becoming an artist. For me it was becoming a Life Coach.
Perhaps you’re longing to make a little extra money to travel or to build up your retirement fund — to have a side gig.
What Would You Love?
Do any of these dreams resonate with you? Maybe you have other ideas. What would you love? What would make your heart sing?
Maybe you need help in order to decide what you’d love to do. Some people have practiced ignoring their desires for so long that they have difficulty even answering the question, what would I love. In that case, try making a list of your discontents. We are usually pretty clear about what we don’t like. So take a piece of paper and make two columns and on the left make a list of the things you are discontented about, or things in your life that you don’t like, and then on the right side, write down the things that would be the antidote or the solution for the things you don’t like.
So for example, if you wrote down, “I hate my job.” Be specific about the aspects of your job you don’t like. Be specific. Then write down what the solution might look like. Don’t edit your responses by thinking about how the solution will come about right now, just focus on what you would love. If you think about the details of the how, you will be allowing your brain to talk you out of even trying. So for now just focus on what you would love.
Ask Your Higher Self
A more advanced method would be to ask your Higher Self. I say it’s more advanced because it takes a degree of faith that most people don’t possess. Choose a beautiful environment that inspires you, perhaps outside in nature or in your favorite spot in your home, close your eyes, and listen for that still small voice. Have a conversation with your Higher Self. I like to have conversations by writing in my journal. Some people see images or visions while meditating.
Share With Others
I’d love to know how this works for you. Let me know in the comments. It’s always so inspiring to see the varied and unique ways that Life (with a capital L) expresses through each one of us.
I want you to know that all your ideas for creative expression can totally be accomplished. You just need to believe that it’s possible, create a vision that lights you up, manage the voices of fear and doubt that will crop up, and keep taking action.
The Four Stages of Transformation
On the scorecard in the guidebook, there are Four Stages of development in creating meaningful work.
In Stage One, your life feels lacking in purpose and meaning. You wish there were some way you could share your wisdom and experience, make a difference, and leave a legacy.
In Stage Two, you have some ideas for a vocation that will enable you to share your talents, wisdom, and experience and make a difference, but you’re not sure how to go about it.
In Stage Three, you have a clear written vision for how you will share your talents, wisdom, and experience and make a contribution. You read it, visualize it accomplished, and take action steps daily, and you’re experiencing some results.
In Stage Four, you share your talents, wisdom, and experience in ways you love, and you feel happy and richly fulfilled!
Quick Results
If you do the practices I’ve just shared with you, you will probably score at least in Stage Two or Stage Three. And as you stay focused and take action, you may be surprised at how soon your life starts to transform.
My dream is to help as many women as possible to live in Stage Four. And what I know for sure is that education without consistent action is merely entertainment. It wasn’t until I learned to stay focused on a written vision, manage fear and failure, and take action every day that I was able to consistently get results. And I can tell you, it’s so exciting when you’re finally in control of your happiness, abundance, and freedom.
The Program That Gets Results
And I know for sure that you will increase your chances of success and accelerate your results if you have the encouragement and accountability provided by a coach and a group of like-minded ladies who are DreamBuilders. The 12 Week DreamBuilder Program is the program I wish I had had back in my early 30’s and I’m the coach I wish I had had.
To find out more about the program, go to https://dreambigandbloom.com/get-started/ and schedule a Discovery Session. It’s a complimentary coaching call where we’ll
- Create your vision statement,
- Go over all the details of the program and
- Decide on the next best step for you to take to move you forward.
Other Benefits
Being fully engaged with life after retirement by having some kind of meaningful work or vocation, will positively affect your health and longevity as well. The mind/body connection is a real thing.
You will also have a positive effect in the world at large. Feeling happy and fulfilled is a positive energy that affects other people in a positive way. This is how we can make a difference by being the change we want to see in the world. You can demonstrate what is possible by living your best life and inspire others to go for the desires of their heart also.
The Vision Workshop
So allow yourself to dream big about what you would love in the work/vocation domain of your life. Then write it down and start taking action. For detailed instructions and guidance in crafting you vision, see podcast episode #9 which is part 3 of my 3 part vision workshop series.
Share In The Comments
I’d love to know about your dream for meaningful work and I’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have. Post in the comments and let me know. At dreambigandbloom.com/43
Always Remember…
Now as you go remember…
- You are capable of far more than you know.
- You were created to have an amazing and fulfilling life. It’s your birthright.
- You DON’T HAVE TO SETTLE for just “good enough.”
- You are more powerful than any circumstance, situation or condition.
- You absolutely can create the life of your dreams.
Dream big, follow your heart and live with all the joy, purpose, prosperity and fulfillment you deserve.
Much love to you!
Mardi Lynn
Four Ways You Can Take Your Life To The Next Level
1. Get the book
If you haven’t already, be sure to get a free copy of my book, Living Happy, Rich and Free After 60, The guidebook and scorecard for achieving your dreams. https://dreambigandbloom.com/guidebook/
2. Listen to podcast episodes #30 to #39
Listen at your own pace to this series where you’ll learn the foundational principles and Practices of DreamBuilding. https://dreambigandbloom.com/category/podcast/
3. Be a guest on the Podcast
This is a great way to get a feel for the process in a friendly environment. Coaching women just like you, to use the DreamBuilder principles and practices to overcome any challenge and achieve any dream is one of my favorite things to do. To be a guest just visit DreamBigandBloom.com/guest
4. Join the Dream Builder Program
Studies have shown that when education is combined with coaching, individuals increase their productivity by an average of 86%.That’s why top athletes, celebrities and successful business leaders hire coaches. To make this difference in your life, join the 12-week DreamBuilder Program and get in-depth personalized support applying these powerful principles and practices
To get started visit https://dreambigandbloom.com/get-started