When I was growing up and going through challenging situations, my mom would always tell me to “paint my picture.”
She was telling me to think positively and imagine or visualize what I wanted the outcome to be in that situation, rather than focusing on the worry or fear. For years I thought of “painting my picture” as only a response - a response to a situation or event in my life. And it can be, but it can also be so much more.
What I have learned over the past few years is instead of it being only a response to a situation in my life, it can also be about intentionally designing my life.
Being intentional starts with clarity - being crystal clear about what you really want - down to the specific details. When I was looking for a new house I wrote down exactly what I wanted in a new home, which included a two-story foyer, a large kitchen, located on several acres with a lake, and a long winding driveway with a white fence. I painted the details of that house in my mind and visualized it daily.
I then recognized my limiting beliefs - beliefs that caused me to doubt that my picture could ever be a reality. Things like, “I’ll never find a house like that.” Or, “it will be too expensive,” or “who am I to think I even deserve a home like that?”
It’s crazy how those thoughts can come in and completely destroy the picture! But that’s only if you allow them to do so.
Once I recognized the limiting beliefs, I eliminated them. There are many ways to do that, but the way that works best for me is to replace them. Whatever limiting belief I had, I replaced it with the opposite. Instead of thinking I’ll never find the house that I imagined, I thought - “the perfect house is out there and will find me at exactly the right time.”
Start taking inspired action! When you’re thinking of your picture on a daily basis, you will start to get ideas on actions to take. For me, it was about telling people I knew I was looking for a house and figuring out how much I really could afford. Having knowledge gave me the confidence and power to actually start looking at the houses that are for sale.
And the last step is never, ever give up. Your picture may become a reality in 3 months or 3 years. Knowing and believing that your dream is on the way will continue to move circumstances and people to eventually create the picture you painted.
Two years after painting my picture, I am now living in the exact home that I always imagined, with the two-story foyer, a large kitchen, located on several acres with a lake, and a long winding driveway with a white fence… along with many more details that were part of my picture. It never ceases to amaze me that I’m actually here, and I am grateful every single day!
Painting your picture can definitely be used as a response to a situation. But it can also be a tool for designing your life. What picture are you painting? I would love to hear your stories of how you are intentionally designing your life!