Tap Your Smart Future Self
There's a technique coaches often use to elicit wisdom from clients when answers seem elusive.
That technique is to let your future successful self offer you advice for how to get from "here" to "there." No matter how many times I walk through this exercise with clients, one suggestion consistently pops up from everyone's "future self": that is to RELAX. It usually comes through as a "relax, remember that all is well, trust yourself, everything's working out fine" type message. Sometimes clients experience this insight as a huge aha; sometimes it feels more like a big duh.
Because after all, savvy creators know that relaxing is a huge key to allowing! (And without allowing we're in resistance, which holds up the party.) So if it's really that simple, why don't we relax more? Well, some of us do! For those of us who have room for improvement on the relaxing scale, here are a couple of swift trips to a relaxed state:
- Take a deep breath and you're on your way. Take several and you're there!
- Keep some Mark Romero music handy. (Works like a charm!)
- Use an afformation by asking: "Why am I so relaxed?" (Thanks, Suzanne!)
It works best when we have a relaxation plan before we need it. Creating a solution while we're knee-deep in problem isn't always easy. So have your Emergency Relax Plan thought out in advance to serve you best. Here's how fellow coach, Bridgette B, inspired me to remember to relax:
- Once I recognize I'm engaging Struggle
- I mentally replace Struggle with Surrender
- which is especially easy when I imagine a puppy stretched out inviting a belly rub.
Puppies know relaxed, they are all about allowing, they never leave the "vortex" - which is where all the best stuff happens. (I've got two foster puppies right now!) So I can easily follow their lead and let Universe tickle my tummy with good stuff while I simply relax and enjoy. The more I relax, the better life gets. For those of you wondering if it is (or wishing it were) that simple, the answer is YES. It is. That simple. I dare you to try it! For those curious about what other tips your future selves might offer besides relaxing, find out with the Tips & Tricks exercise below:
TIPS & TRICKS: Tapping Your Future Self
Get a notebook and pen handy, then get comfortable, relax, and take several deep breaths. When your mind is clear and you're feeling quiet and calm, bring to mind the vision of you living your best life (or whatever you want to manifest).
See yourself living out the best case scenario, with lots of rich detail. What does it look like? What sounds do you hear in this ideal outcome? What does it feel like? Visualize yourself right in the middle of the best part!
Once you're solidly in this visualization - from this place of success, let your successful future self answer these questions for your present day self:
- What would have been most helpful for me to know back in July 2009?
- What was a key piece of information or crucial action that furthered my success?
- What's the best piece of advice I got along the way?
- What would I tell myself about the best next step to take?
- Anything I'm missing?
Jot down whatever comes to mind. (No censoring or editing, of course!) I'd love to hear what you get if you try this exercise out.
Jeannette Maw is the Good Vibe Coach and founder of Good Vibe University. Find more of her manifesting inspiration at Good Vibe Blog.