Moving right along in the Desire Map by Danielle LaPorte, I really had to step back and take a deep look into the path that lies ahead for me. Inspiration comes in waves – creative forces, mentors, even bits of information I pick up from a book or an online post. It all collectively moves me closer towards my goals, however none of it makes a bit of difference if I don’t have a clear path to where I want to go in the weeks or months ahead.
For those of you following along with the book club, this is your next step in the process (and even if you’ve never heard of the Desire Map – this is a fantastic practice to put in place).
What are the stones that lie before you?
If you love planning on the Creative plane, place your desires on a piece of paper and draw several “roads” or paths pointing to a new destination. Don’t worry about making this perfect, this visual practice is for your eyes only. This can be a new project at work, a new blog idea, a goal for your family or home – anything that you have aspirations in.
This is such fantastic work once you creatively place the “stepping-stones” of information toward the final goal. Don’t put a lot of thought into it – just enjoy the process of each step.
What new thoughts come to mind? The end result is not to have a perfect picture (although if you do, that is an added bonus). The end result in this exercise is to find those little epiphanies along the way.
Keep a small list of these new ideas and transfer them to your planner. You may stumble upon just the right idea to catapult you toward that final destination.
Where do you want your path to lead? What kind of stepping-stones do you need to place before you get there?
Your Chance to Show Off Your Organizational Skills:
{I want to hear from you} Attention Fellow Bloggers or anyone who would like to participate ~ Do you have a great Organizing idea or post you would like to share? I am opening up a series for anyone who would like to show off a before/after project, productivity idea or unique tips for renewing your space. To be considered for a future feature on Renew Your Space, please email me at RenewYourSpace@hotmail.com with your Name, Blog URL (if you have one) and your Post Subject. Please have ready your post, and at least two Pinnable photos to accompany it.
Wow. That’s deep! I want my path to lead me to a more successful business, a better blog that’s profitable and a debt free lifestyle.
Amanda Smith recently posted…Creamy Crock Pot Yogurt Recipe
Sounds like great paths to set your stones Amanda…
I’m going to do this the next time I get “writer’s block!” 🙂 Sounds like a great exercise to do whenever we need to clear our path.
Alli recently posted…Shopping Steals and Deals
It’s very helpful with writer’s block. Sometimes I come out of it with so many posts, I don’t know which to use next 🙂
I agree that this sounds like the perfect exercise for overcoming writer’s block. Like you say, you can go into it feeling like your mind is blank and come out of it with so many ideas you don’t know where to start!
Katie @ Pick Any Two recently posted…Dating Violence: What Parents Need to Know
So true Katie 🙂
Very interesting approach, I believe I will give it a try and see what happens. It reminds me a little bit of the inspiration boards.
Shirley Wood recently posted…Proven Strategies for Budget Cuts in The Home: Grocery Budget Cuts
Great Shirley! Inspiration stems from many forms of creativity – I can’t wait to hear what transpired!
You know what is interesting, as you know I paint puppies (dogs) and have gotten paid a lot of money to do that. Well, this past week we were blessed with our first grandchild, and since we don’t have any money right now (hubby is a student) I couldn’t send them anything for her. I decided to paint her picture (or attempt to, I do dogs remember?). I painted for about 2 hours and looked at it and realized it looked more like Tyler Perry in a pink nighty (no, really it did!).
When I walked away for a while I was so disappointed that I couldn’t paint my beautiful Caterina, so I asked myself one question, “What do I do different when I paint dogs that I am not doing here?” Everyone was telling me that painting people and drawing people is so much harder – I wasn’t letting it go. Then I realized the one thing I was doing different was this: When I paint dogs, I just paint. I don’t really think about it, I just let it flow naturally from me. I realized I was trying WAY too hard to paint Caterina and needed to just let it flow….it worked! I went back and started painting and it is really coming along nice now. I am over the hill excited about giving it to them now.
I have to remember, God gave me this talent, I just have to let it flow naturally!
Angel Burch recently posted…12 More Ways to Say I Love You!
You go girl!! I love that you let yourself go and created something memorable from it. Congratulations on the new little one!
Good thought, you get nowhere if you do not have a goal! Taking it easy, one step at the time! Or slowly and steady, always following the goal. — You inspire me ;)!
So true – goals are gems to life. Glad you’re inspired 😀
Great post…Sometimes I have many thoughts in my head but do not know where to start. I want to get them all done in one step….but so not happening. Thanks for sharing this step by step idea!
Zan recently posted…Reviving Old Blog Posts
Have fun with it Zan – you never know what might transpire in the creative process 🙂
Renee, this is exactly what I needed at this moment. A new pathway is opening up and I need to decide if it is what I really want. I think this process might help me work through that. It would be a huge commitment, but, ultimately, could lead to many great things. It is also something that I really enjoy doing. If I go down that road, though, I would probably have to let go of some of the things I am currently doing. Big decision. I will utilize this tho the best of my ability and let you know how it comes out.
Regina Partain recently posted…Yorkshire Pudding and Commentathon
Wow Regina – that is huge! I wish you the best of luck in your decision & can’t wait to hear about any new ventures that are coming your way 🙂
Hi again Renee. Great to see you again today. I thought I would share a bit more about this. I have the potential opportunity to become a Certified Coach (or even Life Coach) with John Gray’s Mars/Venus group. It would be an avenue to give more credibility to my books and get me in front of audiences. It is terribly exciting for me, but I know that I can’t take it on with everything else that I am doing. I would have to prioritize ‘out’ some items to make room for it in my life. I would very much like to visit with you about it one on one.
That said, this article really excites me, as does the whole idea of the Desire Map. I have had a Dream Board in the past and accomplished everything on it. One item didn’t turn out to be what I thought it would, but it still accomplished the goal. I have been wanting to make another one. What I like about this idea is the creativity in determining your path. But, I want more info. I hope you will do some more on this topic.
Regina Partain recently posted…Yorkshire Pudding and Commentathon
Oh that’s so exciting Regina! Life Coaching is a fantastic avenue. If it excites you, go for it!!! As Marie Forleo says, “The world needs that special gift that only you have”. I’d be happy to expand more on this 🙂
Great idea! I’ve never tried this method for working through hurdles in the creative process, but it looks like a fun, visual way to move forward.
Paula recently posted…Saving Money eBook
It is a lot of fun – make it exciting and you will surely meet your goal.
i work at a middle school where they are encouraging “thinking maps.” this sounds like another wonderful brainstorming technique. thanks for sharing. 🙂
roxy recently posted…What I Wore: Belated Red
I love that Roxy – Thinking maps sound like fun too 😀
Hi Renee, I’m Paulina. I like your idea to put your goals and steps in visual form. I think that helps us to focus. What a simple concept but so so important!
Hi Paulina – I’m a visual learner and it’s helped me tremendously. Hope it helps you too!
Go group C! I’m already commented on your wonderful post, but was excited to see that we were placed in the same group! Have a great day!
Alli recently posted…Shopping Steals and Deals
lol – Cute Alli. Glad to see you here 🙂
I have read several posts about goal setting and breaking things into small chunks lately. I can see that I really need to take some time to consider where I’m going and how I’m going to get there!
Jenn recently posted…I could Never Let Them Go! {objection to foster care}
There you go Jenn – you can do it!!
Rocks, huh? I like this concept. I’m not very organized and can become distracted in a pebble on the water moment but I am willing to try this!! I have a lot of ideas in my head and on paper throughout the house and its time to put them in order! Thanks!!
Felicia recently posted…Transparent Marriage
It’s a very helpful process 😉
I love the idea of following stones to make a path! I use that analogy with our brains and what we think trains our brains to the path we continually take. My newest path is my blog, and I am hoping that it will continue as I plan… I know there will be distractions and “bumps” in the road, but I will keep paving it out! thanks!
Elizabeth recently posted…Reading, Cuddling, and Zooming!
Best of luck with your blog!
Thanks for sharing this post about being more organized and going for your goals. I recently talked with a friend ans she asked me if I had a blog planner. I had to answer that I did not have a blog planner at the moment, so reading this post has encouraged me to move forward and invest in one to have more direction on design, content, and other issues dealing with my blog. Thanks again for your words of wisdom.
Great! They are so very helpful…
Last June I completed my MBA and as I worked through school as a freelancer I knew that once I was done with school there was something more I wanted. I wasn’t really interested in going back to work outside the home so I just kept going along the freelance route. Later in the year I launched my food site which is like my little restaurant on the web. Here I am a few months later and I am still seeking that ‘something more.’ I’ve never heard of ‘Desire Map’ the book and it seems like something I really need to look into. Sounds like something worth taking the time to read through and process. Thank you for sharing it.
Chrystal @ YUMeating recently posted…Just Another Reason to Skip Processed Food
Good for you Crystal! The DM is such a great book & a great community too 🙂
I love the idea of celebrating small wins along the journey! Now I just need to put this into practice on a more regular basis. Thanks for the reminder!
LeeAnn G Taylor recently posted…Leaving Doubt Behind & Choosing to Trust {Psalm 28:7}
Happy Planning 😀
I love jotting down things on paper but often they get lost, so i have made a habit to send myself an email so i know for sure where it is. I’m taking one day at a time to be as successful in life as much as possible. Thanks for the reminder and inspiration.
Tomes Edition recently posted…He Went Down On One Knee & I Said…
That’s a great idea!
Oooh, I am a big fan of organizing techniques. Look forward to following more of your work!
Brittany recently posted…This Is Who We Are
Welcome… Happy Organizing 😀
WOW – that’s a different way of looking at organizing…. 😀
andi recently posted…Full House Complete Series Collection!
It’s so freeing to expand the mind…
Ohh I love this concept. I will def be trying this out! I have some solid goals in mind, this will be a great way to get them down on paper and find the right ways to reach them.
Thanks!
Carie Spence recently posted…Vanilla Bean Cupcakes w/Maple Buttercream Frosting
That’s great – enjoy your journey 🙂
I love the idea to use this for writers block as was discussed above!! Great idea.
Amanda Smith recently posted…Are You at Risk for Heart Disease?
Thanks! It’s so helpful 🙂
My goal list has been pushing me forward. I listed one on my site, but I also keep the steps to getting there on my personal pages. This is a great tactic to getting to your goals.
April recently posted…#AskAwayFriday with Sarah
Thanks April – it really is helpful
As a blogger I have seen that the posts where I sit down and just write about whatever and let the words flow are viewed way more than the posts I actually put alot of time and effort into. So sometimes I just sit down and let the words flow without really thinking about them. I do go back and proofread as my spelling is atrocious.
Becka recently posted…Candy Melt Heart Shaped Valentine Gift
It’s nice for your readers when you have something of substance to read 🙂
This is an exciting exercise Renee! Especially now that it’s just the beginning of the year when there are a lot of opportunities coming in. Now I have a guide to help me decide. Thank you for sharing this. Continue to spread abundance in other people’s lives! 🙂
Yes Celine! This is the perfect time to develop some better practices 🙂 Thanks for your kind words 😀
Renee Weatherford recently posted…Six Ways A Planner Can Save You Money
This exercise sounds like it would be very helpful, I definitely need to give it a try! Sounds like an organized way to have a productive brainstorming session.
Brainstorming is very effective for so many things in life…
I like this! It’s kind of like a visual outline. I get so much more done when I have a list of goals. I’m going to try this for my next project. Thank you!
Me too Elizabeth! It really helps with pushing forward…
I have a goal. I decided to become a vlogger as well and I know these stepping stones I walk along will take time, but I know someday I will be a successful vlogger just like my blog.
Kristin Sumner recently posted…Create A Kid-Friendly Cornhole Game Set
Good for you Kristin!
Wonderful post, my goals is to be more productive with my business and focus on priorities.
Dawn recently posted…Oops, back to Survival Mode
Great goals!!
Thanks for the good advice. I often have good idea in my head about what I want to do and have trouble motivating myself to take action on them.
Jeryl M. recently posted…Tips for Tuesday – Apps. and Web-Sites
It certainly helps to write it all out 🙂
I don’t journal, but I do find it very useful to use my calendar, and then when I have a big project, write it down, bounce it off people, and think about it for a while so it can really develop before I just plunge in!
Tammy @ creativekkids.com recently posted…Tasty Tuesdays: Salmon Tacos with food linky
Good deal…
I love the visuals associated with your post….not the images (although they are appropriate too)….but the way you took my mind through images of time. What were my previous stones? What are my new desires now that I have laid the former “stones” along the path of life? Thought-provoking to be sure!
Thanks Tammy 🙂 Enjoy the process…
I will definitely do this activity in regards to my blog. I think it would be an excellent way to help get a plan for where I want my blog to go.
Megan Bailey recently posted…Beginning is Easy . . .
Sounds great!
I love the stepping stones analogy…such good words! I don’t always think things through as I should. I will remember these steps!
nannette and the sweetheart recently posted…This God Who Restores…
Great Nannette 🙂
Thanks for posting this – I need to sit down and do this – to figure out my blogging path and future
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan recently posted…R U A Coffee Fool? …A review post…
Sounds great! Enjoy the process!
Thank you for sharing this information. As a life-coach I know the importance of having a plan to reach the goals you would like to see in your life. You have a such a practical approach. I love the questions you use to pull the reader in and connect with the topic. I wish you well. Blessings.
Chuck Taylor recently posted…Why Men are Lazy & Women are Mean!
Thank you Chuck. Glad you found some value in it.
This has made me think and in some ways I have created a path for myself I just haven’t put it to paper. Great writing!
Louisa recently posted…Lazada: Ultimate Gadget Craze
Thank you Louisa – hope the visual helps you get more focus….
This such a good idea I think I should do this monthly for my blog or bi-monthly to kinda plan out what I want out of it and how I can attain that efficiently
Eschelle Westwood (@Eschelle) recently posted…Mumfection Mom of the Week – Tammy Meyers
Great Eschelle – let me know how it goes 🙂