Carrying the Right Load

Carrying the Right Load, by Teresa Thomas Carroll, director

As you wander your life path, it helps to feel unencumbered to climb the hills or take a quick corner. The lighter your load, the more easily you’ll meet your destinations along the way. Think of yourself carrying a backpack with your goals and dreams. Some of what you’ve packed you may have added recently, perhaps in the way of New Year’s resolutions. Others you may have been carrying for a long time.

Some may not have been packed by you but by someone else, in the way of pressure, expectations or well-meaning suggestions. It’s worthwhile to unpack your “bag” every now and then to examine what you really need and want to continue carrying. Are you carrying some goals that no longer serve as guidance for your emerging path? Has your life taken an unexpected turn but your expectations still focus on the path you’ve already traversed? Consider whether you can set aside, refine or let go of some goals. Repack your bag giving importance to the goals that embody your personality, talents, dreams and values.

Five-Minute Mini-Reflection
(It may help to have a journal, paper or calendar at hand. You can also do this in your mind.)

Brainstorm
Unpack your goals backpack. Quickly jot out the goals you are attempting to carry today.

Imagine
What would happen if you set aside some of the goals that are not aligned with your ideals?

Setting a goal (to discard a goal!)
Try setting one goal aside for a month and see how it feels to carry a lighter and perhaps more meaningful load. Each time your mind tries to repack this goal, see yourself gently unpacking it again and tell yourself that you can revisit packing it again at the end of the month. If this works well for you, try letting go of another unnecessary goal next month.

Taking action
Tell a supportive friend, journal or make necessary changes to set aside this goal. Remember, you can always repack it later. Doesn’t your pack feel lighter already?

Teresa Thomas-Carroll is the director of Purple Crayon Factory. Purple Crayon Factory offers refreshing workshops and services for reflection, goal-setting and action in pursuit of an ideal life. Teresa continually checks the load of her goals backpack, ever mindful to pack work that gives her a sense of “flow” and to reserve plenty of space for family and creative pursuits.