Are You Chasing the Carrot?

Every day we see patients in our clinic with painful physical symptoms caused by stress.  Below is an article worth reading by Mandie Crawford.  Your carrot chasing can be transformed into the fulfillment of your dreams and a healthier lifestyle.
The term "chasing the carrot" originated from farmers or cart drivers who would tie a carrot on a string to a long stick and dangle it in front of the donkey, just out of its reach. As the donkey moved forward to get the carrot, it pulled the cart and but the carrot would always remain out of reach.

The problem is obvious - the donkey never gets the carrot - but the cart gets pulled. This is often the case when we work for others. We chase a reward and do what it takes to get the reward - for the sake of the reward.

However, when we build a business, and build it with passion - in essence we are following a dream. Our eyes are focused on vision and our thoughts on a topic condition that we strive to attain. And we do it not to attain the end result so much as we do it because it fires us up - gets us excited and feeds our energy.

The difference is easy to see. The carrot dangling method that is followed by a useless chase to attain a result can be very empty - while developing a dream and following where it leads can be very fulfilling.

Unfortunately, although many of us leave a 'job' and the carrot behind to follow a dream - when we get into the grind of the mechanics of the dream we are following - the actions we take soon resemble a carrot on a string - that we ourselves dangle.

As we become tired of working so hard and take our eyes off the dream, we begin to look only toward the immediate rewards that we can get if we get the job done. This is when we begin to see being an entrepreneur as more of a job than a calling.

When we are called or feel called - we follow. We follow the dream. We look for signs, develop our vision, become creative, and look at possibilities. We don't try to squeeze our dream into someone else's funding model or colour within the lines just to be recognized.

When we chase a carrot - our eyes are only on the immediate goal - and we often will do anything to achieve it - giving in to the momentary satisfaction instead of focusing on the long term results of a well executed plan.

I have chased the carrot and I have followed the dream. Following the dream is far more fulfilling because it focuses on solutions for all - and is inclusive of others. The rewards are many. Chasing the carrot means only one person gets to eat - the one who finally gets the carrot.
Are you chasing the carrot?

Only you know for sure. But if you find yourself too tired to finish big at the end of the day and too tired to roll out of bed in the morning - then chances are your business is not feeding your passion. Chances are - you are chasing a carrot you that may never reach and that will rob you of energy.

Time to re-align.
Is it time for you to get back on track and re-align yourself with your purpose and your dream? If so - how do you do that? How do we relight the fires of passion for what we do and begin again to focus on our vision?
The only way to do this is to take time to reflect on our values, our purpose, our behaviors and our thoughts. It is easy to fall off the rails sometimes. We get busy and forget to listen to ourselves and others.

So take time to find out HOW you are feeling and why. You yourself know the changes you need to make - and you can find out what those changes are if you take time to listen to the whisperings of your soul. Connect with your spirit and become re-inspired. Remember your dreams and listen to the whispers.

Two months ago, I learned how to meditate. I began to listen again. It's amazing the joy I rediscovered in my business as soon as the vision that I had lost - began to reappear.

Women are changing the way business is done. But to keep up the work we do - we must stay recharged and in touch. When we become disconnected - it affects not only us, but everyone else in the universe.

Like the wings of the butterfly fluttering in North America may affect the winds in Saudi Arabia - so do our actions within our businesses affect the entire world.

Take care not to lose sight of the dream or abandon it - for a measly carrot!



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7137596

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