Attention

Financial Life Planning for Busy Parents

In today's fast-paced world, many of us find ourselves living life on autopilot, following a checklist of societal expectations without truly examining what brings us fulfillment and joy. The recent trend of prioritizing external achievements over internal well-being is leaving many feeling drained and disconnected from their true desires. In this week’s episode, I chat with Registered Life Planner Andrea Miller to explore the importance of paying attention to what energizes you and how it can lead to a more fulfilling life.

Checking the Block

It's easy to fall into the trap of the "checklist mentality." We set goals for ourselves: get the job, earn the salary, buy the house, find the perfect partner, have kids, and acquire material possessions like cars, houses, vacations, etc. While these goals are not inherently wrong, they often prioritize external achievements over internal happiness and well-being.

This check-the-block approach can leave us feeling unfulfilled and disconnected from our true selves. It's essential to recognize that life is more than a series of boxes to tick off; it's about finding meaning, purpose, and joy in each moment.

Pay Attention - Don’t Be Asleep at the Wheel

In a world where we're bombarded with distractions and demands on our time, it's crucial to pay attention to where we're directing our energy and focus. Often, we give away our time and attention without realizing it, leaving us feeling like we're "asleep at the wheel."

Our brains are wired to protect us, and sometimes they create narratives and beliefs that push us to chase external accomplishments, thinking they will keep us safe. To break free from this pattern, we must become more aware of our thought patterns and redirect our attention to what truly matters.

Get into The Flow: Attention, Emotion, Behavior, Results

Understanding the flow of attention, emotion, behavior, and results can help us gain clarity and make positive changes in our lives. Work from the top, down:

1. Pay Attention: What we focus on at the top of the triangle determines our entire life experience. Pay attention to your thoughts, beliefs, and where you direct your energy.
2. Identify Emotion: Your attention influences your emotions. Are you feeling energized and joyful, or drained and frustrated? These emotions are often linked to where you're placing your focus.
3. Tune in to your behaviors: Are you asleep at the wheel? Emotions drive behavior. Are your actions aligned with your true desires and values, or are you simply reacting to external pressures and expectations?
4. Check your results: Your behavior leads to outcomes. Are you achieving the results you desire in life, or do you feel stuck and unfulfilled?

To begin your journey towards a more fulfilling life, start by paying attention to what energizes you and what depletes you. How? It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3:

1. Take out a sheet of paper and create two columns: "Energizes Me" and "Depletes Me." Throughout your day, note down activities, people, and experiences that either bring you energy or drain it.
2. Reflect on your list and see if any patterns emerge. What common themes or activities appear in the "Energizes Me" column?
3. Begin incorporating more of what energizes you into your daily life and gradually reduce activities that deplete you.

By following your energy and making intentional choices to focus on what truly matters to you, you can shift your life towards greater fulfillment and happiness. In the words of younger but wiser country/pop icon Miley Cyrus: “Ain’t about how fast I get there, ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side, it’s the climb.”

Life is too short to live on autopilot, following a checklist that doesn't align with your true desires. Embrace the power of attention and start prioritizing what energizes you today. Your path to a more fulfilling life begins with mindful awareness and intentional choices.