Transformation is a journey, not a destination. Together, let’s explore Seven Guiding Principles to take with you on your journey. When you embrace these key concepts with a beginner’s mind and complete curiosity, the possibility for personal growth becomes endless.

Since the beginning of my own spiritual awakening, I’ve had enlightening conversations with intuitive people and healers, read books and listened to podcasts about spirituality, energy work and personal growth. I went on a magical wellness retreat in Arizona where I learned about the moon, explored various forms of meditation and discovered Ayurveda among other things. More recently, I participated in a three-part leadership training in which I experienced a lot of the things I had read and heard about firsthand. And a lot of the key discovery’s I’ve had were reinforced through my formal training at IIN. Based on all of my own personal experiences and lessons, I’ve taken away Seven Guiding Principles that support transformation and personal growth.

1. LIVE YOUR LIFE INTENTIONALLY: Reflect on what matters most to you in life and create a Vision for the life you want to have. Record your Vision on paper to reinforce the outcome you desire and so you can refer to it often. When you’re setting intentions, (whether that be daily, weekly or monthly) consider whether or not they align with your Vision. Everything you do in life, from the way that you show up to the goals you set for yourself, should always relate back to your Vision. Having this single pointed focus will ensure synchronicity and flow in your life.

2. PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE YOU’RE GOING TO WANT TO EMBRACE: We live in a culture that focuses on convenience, quick fixes, instant gratification and fast-paced living. Try not to get caught up in business as usual. Instead, learn to consciously strengthen your aptitude for patience and self-compassion. Transformation takes time and it requires that you allow yourself to feel the difficult and painful emotions you’ve been avoiding, as well as process your thoughts and emotions through deep inner work. Even then, it’s important to accept progress over perfection.

3. BECOME AN OBSERVER: Learn to objectively observe your own thoughts and emotions. What’s working for you? What’s not working that gets to be added? This is something to look at through a lens of self love and compassion. If you find yourself judging yourself for doing something “wrong,” take a step back and ask yourself where that judgement might be coming from. Acknowledge and process whatever emotions you’re feeling in an objective way. As you begin to identify some patterns that are missing from your ways of being or some desired outcomes that are lacking, consider who in your life is experiencing success in those areas? What’s working for them that they get to have those results? As an example, if you struggle with intimacy, observe couples who appear to have an abundance of intimacy in their relationship. Ask them what’s working to gain a better understanding of what you might add to your own relationship. This is an important concept for those aiming for self mastery. And you can’t transform without taking on yourself!

4. DON’T TAKE THINGS PERSONALLY: It’s natural for the mind to perceive you as the center of the universe because everything that’s happening is happening around you. What shapes our thoughts, perceptions, values and opinions? The answer to this question includes our childhood, relationships with our guardians in our formative years, our environment, culture, religion and our personal experiences. Therefore, each and every one of us thinks, speaks, reacts and does based on our own life experiences and lessons. When someone does something mean or has an unflattering opinion of you, it’s shaped by their being the center of their universe and with their personal background story in mind. With all of that said, the second you give power to another person’s opinion, it’s embedded in your mind as truth and it creates your reality. Choose not to give them that power by realizing all of the above and not taking it personally. The last thing I want to say here is how important it is to see how everyone in this world is going through something internally, and this directly affects how they show up in the world. You see, it doesn’t actually have anything to do with you.

5. SHOW UP IN A WAY THAT ENSURES YOU GET THE OUTCOME YOU DESIRE: If you’re familiar with the Law of Attraction, you know that the energy you give is the energy you receive. Typically, when you make eye contact with a passerby on the street and smile because you’re genuinely joyful, they feel that energy and will smile back at you. It’s the same with the power of manifesting - your thoughts and energy create your reality. Therefore, consider what it is that you want as well as who you get to be in order to have that outcome. For instance, if you want love, be love. Embody it with every ounce of your being. If you want abundance, give immense value and energy worthy of that outcome. The universe will return the energy you put out.

6. BE WILLING TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE & EMBRACE THE UNKNOWN: Vulnerability is choosing to be or do despite the feeling of discomfort it causes, or even despite the fear of what might happen next (ie the unknown). It’s allowing yourself to be seen when all you want to do is hide. It’s exposing parts of yourself you worry may be judged or criticized. The only way to reach your full potential is to choose courage over fear. The more you strengthen that muscle, the easier it becomes because you’ll come to realize that vulnerability is actually a strength. Reflecting on the things that make you uncomfortable or the reasons why you’re hiding, and then exploring who you want to be will ultimately empower you to choose how you’re going to show up in every new moment. You don’t want to get to the end of your life and have regrets about an unfulfilled life because you were afraid or uncomfortable and that had you playing small. Therefore, decide to be an open and active participant in your life. Be willing to be uncomfortable, embrace the unknown and choose to show up anyway!

7. Believe that You are Enough: You have the ability to control your thoughts, emotions, and how you show up. Every new moment creates a new opportunity to choose. Empower yourself to create your own reality and have the life you want. To do this, begin reflecting on what you DO have instead of what you don’t have! Fill your mind with positive self-talk, acknowledge your desires and celebrate your wins. The second you believe you’re enough, all the masks will fall off and you can begin to show up authentically in full acceptance of who you are. You can even decide to accept all of the things that you once criticized with a gentle and loving lens because they contribute to the incredible being that you are. And I’ll fill you in on a little secret - once you start believing that you’re enough, you’ll show up in a way that has other people believing that your enough. Your unconditional self-love and freedom to be yourself will lead to a fulfilled and joyful life.

Here are three books that have changed my life and taught me about the workings of the mind and spirit. Feel free to check them out for more insight.

• The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz

• The Untethered Soul: the Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer

• The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of Your Dreams by Deepak Chopra

It’s also worth noting that working with a Coach to take yourself on in a way that supports your Vision is a tremendous step in creating transformation for yourself. If you’re interested in learning more, let’s connect. Sign up for your free 50-minute Discovery Call now by clicking GET STARTED at the top of the page.