April - 2011

Dear Friends,

The world around me is easing into spring – finally. It is a joy to watch the determination of budding branches, green shoots, and the first blooms of the season! There are more smiles on faces – more devotion to lingering outside. The air itself seems dedicated to renewal. With a burst of fresh energy from my natural surroundings, I offer a contemplation on dedication, determination and devotion.

The purpose of this newsletter is to share with you simple and effective tools for personal, spiritual and professional growth. I have used these tools in my own life, so I know their power as well as their challenges.  I have also utilized them in more than thirty years of professional work with others as a life coach, educator and psychotherapist.  I offer them to you to try, adapt, and practice as methods to nurture your own growth.

Please send this issue to any friends who might be interested.

Also, I would welcome your thoughts or comments on this newsletter.  I truly appreciate your participation in this Action on Purpose Community!

Warmly,

Natalie

www.EldridgeWorks.com

P.S.  Interested in some support in clarifying your purpose or

taking action on your purpose?  Contact me for a complimentary

coaching call to explore whether coaching could help you reach

your goals! 

“Your work is to discover your world and then

with all your heart give yourself to it."

~ Buddha

It is a distinct honor to accompany clients on their journeys of discovering, creating, and clarifying a sense of passion and purpose. Quite often, I hear some version of the refrain: “If I could just figure out what I want to do, or am supposed to do, I would really commit myself to it.” While thinking in this direction makes sense, it can sometimes become an endless exploration process that sidesteps focus and depth. When this happens, it can be useful to put the cart before the horse, so to speak, by working on commitment and dedication first, and destination later.

In truth, goals and dedication work hand in hand, and both are necessary to achieve success. Goals are concrete markers that help us traverse the space between where we are in our lives and the vision we have of our future. When our vision fades, or a former vision has been reached or receded into the past, we can experience a time of uncertainty and drift.

Dedication to What We Know

When our minds are full of “I don’t know,” it can be very grounding to shift our mental focus to what we do know. This might involve a review of the intentions and effort that got us to where we are now. Perhaps a review of our values, strengths and beliefs would be useful. An accounting of our blessings, relationships, or opportunities can also bring forth a firm foundation of gratitude. Dedicating the time and mental energy to such a review can remind us of what we already know, and perhaps have taken for granted.

Once we are refreshed about what we know about ourselves, we can find something to dedicate, or re-dedicate, ourselves to that is in the present. Frustrated with a temp job that seemed an underutilization of her skills, Anna was anxious to discover a career direction that she could pursue that would offer a more satisfying work experience. Reviewing what she did know, she recalled how this temp work has allowed her to pay her bills while having the flexibility to pursue her various interests in theatre and in community advocacy. She also recognized that whatever work she might choose in the future, she wanted it to involve her love of writing and word-crafting.

Ron had moved to a new city with his fiancée and found his dreams for the future evaporated when she ended their engagement. Not sure how to reorganize his life, he found meaning in the spiritual community he had been embedded in before he moved, and realized the value this had given his life.

Dedicating Time and Activity

Anna decided she wanted to dedicate herself to developing her writing skills, even though she didn’t know how they might be used in a future job. She decided to spend time each day writing and, to support her in maintaining this discipline, she enrolled in a writing course.

Ron decided to renew some of the spiritual practices that had been meaningful to him in the past, such as a simple gratitude prayer before his evening meal. He also began to visit places of worship and meditation groups to explore where he might find a meaningful community.

Dedication shows in the time and effort we put into pursuing what matters to us. It is essential that we put this first in our lives – not put it off until all the chores are done. By creating the space in our lives to intentionally cultivate our interests, we get better at understanding our interests and where they might lead us.

We can also dedicate our chores and daily activities to some purpose we determine. For instance, Anna might dedicate a simple writing task at work as an exercise at writing more clearly. This gives her mundane task, and her job, a little more meaning. Ron is using the act of eating a meal to dedicate himself to his gratitude practice – and also feels connected to a community of people as he does this, even when he’s alone.

Determination and Devotion

Determination is much like dedication, though I tend to think of determination as an act of the mind – a willfulness to pursue one’s goal “no matter what.” When I make a plan to accomplish a goal, I dedicate a certain time, and perhaps a certain place, to this activity. When the unexpected happens to change my plans, or the more predictable procrastination arises, it is determination that gets me to the task at last – even at a different time, or in a different place, than planned.

Devotion is also related to both determination and dedication. While I think of determination as an aspect of the mind and will, and dedication as an action related to time and space, devotion is of the heart and soul. Devotion is a profound or sacred dedication – something that arises from the heart and is difficult to put into words. It propels us into action, as determination does. To me, devotion moves us into action from the heart, while determination moves us from the mind.

Practicing the Three D’s

Understanding where our determination, devotion, and dedication are already in action is a key to exercising these strengths. You might find devotion in your relationship with a loved one, in a spiritual practice you do, or in an activity that you are deeply committed to.  Determination may be found in places you have overcome obstacles to reach a goal.

I offer the three D’s not to suggest they are entirely distinct, but to offer three windows through which to view the question of what you are already dedicated to, devoted to, or determined to do. One of these words may be far more useful than the others in uncovering this treasure. If so, stay with that word.

Anna recovered her devotion to writing and dedicated time both at work and at home to practice this activity in a more determined way. Ron recalled the meaning he found in his spiritual community and practices, and devoted himself anew to some of the practices while dedicating time to finding new community.

What do you discover as you look within through the windows of dedication, determination and devotion?

"I know the price of success:

dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion

to the things you want to see happen."

~ Frank Lloyd Wright

~  Action On Purpose Challenge  ~

1. Take some quiet time to reflect on what you are already dedicated to in your life. Identify at least three things that really matter to you, whether they are people, ideas, activities, organizations, etc.

• How do you demonstrate your dedication to each thing? Do you set time aside, do particular activities, or set it as a priority in some other way?

• Are your actions motivated by devotion, determination, or both?

2. How might you increase your practice of dedication, determination, and/or devotion toward one thing you identified?

~  In the News  ~

Next Steps - Want to get going on a plan for the kind of life you want to lead in the future? The 2Young2Retire course can help.  A certified facilitator, I offer the course by tele-conference.  If you are interested in more information about the course and updates on the time and starting date, go to http://actiononpurpose.com/2008/04/30/boomers--whats-next-for-you.aspx

Would you like to share your kind words about Natalie's coaching, facilitating, speaking or writings?  If so, please send them to testimonial@EldridgeWorks.com.  We gratefully welcome your comments.

At www.EldridgeWorks.com , my virtual professional home, you will find information about coaching and psychotherapy services, as well as more about me.  I would love to hear your comments about the website, or the Action on Purpose newsletter.  Contact me at Natalie@EldridgeWorks.com.