Have you ever thought about your life as linear or seen yourself as a passive actor in your own life? Have you ever wondered the meaning behind a dark time in your life?
These questions occurred to me and I found that looking at my life with the eyes of a creator, of a project person, made me feel more empowered. Whether you want to keep things interesting, you want to keep learning, or you want to create freedom, then I encourage you to craft a life of projects.
I work best with a project format. It helps me focus and be present and fully experience something, a time in my life or a specific event. I always have something going on that I manage at my own pace. I don’t have to commit to it for an indeterminate period. I am challenged, I learn and I accomplish. Then, I get to change it up. I get to move on or walk away when things do not serve or honour me. It’s a truly freeing and mindful way to approach my life.
Although I have habits and a semblance of a routine, I do not do well without change. I need it. I expect it. Most likely because it happens anyway. But I crave the kind of change that stimulates my spirit. That’s also why, for instance, my career history as a Gen Y contractor has worked to my advantage. I got to sample many jobs and experiences and know myself better.
In my twenties, I look back to many projects that highlighted lessons; my university degree versus learning, my communications career versus my calling, my relationships (some breakups, some amazing friendships, and mending family ties) and my (holistic) health.
University and journalism were my first introductions to the working world. I learned about fitting in and standing out, working hard and sometimes not getting rewarded or recognized. I learned about knowledge and wisdom, excitement and disappointment. I learned the difference between ability, experience and passion.
On a personal level, I’ve reconnected with inner longings, such as dance (vitality), reiki (service) and writing. For a while, I created the “swing dance” project in my life when I focused on learning partnership and competing. I also had my “health intervention” project; a time in my life when I was sick and burned out and decided to teach myself how to care for my health through yoga, food, rest and boundaries. Now, I’m working on my “setting sail for my purpose” project. It’s a big scary adventure and I don’t know every wave, storm or shore, but it’s a journey I’m on. It started with this blog.
Our lives take different forms depending on our perspective. There is a season for everything and a thing for every season. If we start appreciating where we are, which season we’re in, or the project we’re exploring if you will, then we can appreciate the true beauty of the life we’re living. If you see your life as the sum of all its incredible moments, its many seasons and its varied projects, you can appreciate change as much as being still. You start to understand each season’s purpose and you feel successful; this life is yours, every step of the way.
Seeing our lives as meaningful projects that teach us, that stimulate us, that we enjoy, helps us get in synch with nature’s cycles. We can co-create wonderful experiences and choose to learn valuable lessons by treating our lives as our unique work of art, composed of our many creative projects.
How have “projects” made your life more exciting or meaningful to you? Is there an unpleasant experience you could treat as a project to learn from?
