Act As If

ACT AS IF 

One of the principles that Jack Canfield teaches, is “Act as if.”  Act as if you are already where you want to be.  That means thinking like, talking like, dressing like, acting like, and feeling like the person you will become after you have achieved your goals.

In fact, Canfield created the Come as You Will Be, Party.  “At the party you are to arrive as who you will be 5 years from now.  Dress your best.  Speak only in the present tense the entire evening, as if it is already 2020 and all your goals have been achieved and all your dreams have already come true.  Bring props to show everyone what you have achieved in the years between, such as bestselling books you’ve written, magazine covers you’ve been on, awards you’ve won, and photographs or scrapbooks of your achievements.  Throughout the evening you will have the opportunity to applaud others in their achievements and to receive congratulations for yours.”

Jack’s “party” idea made me stop and think about how I would want to show up at a “Come as You Will Be….in 2020” Party.   After much reflection, I decide I would show up as a an ALS survivor, a best selling author founding the #1 women’s networking organization and the #1 life coach training program.  With that step complete, I proceed to the next step – actually attending a party as me in 2020.  Since I don’t have a live party to attend yet, I decide to visualize the entire process for right now.

Visualizing my “Come as You Will Be….in 2020” party….

·      Where is my party?  My party is at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Naples, FL.

·      Who is at my party?  All of my children and their spouses, grandchildren, husband, siblings, and parents are here along with all of my friends.

·      How will I act?  I am acting confident, carefree and peaceful.  I am sharing all the details around the risks I took to be part of a successful ALS clinical trial.  And how we purchased a riverfront home to celebrate the years we now have together since my disease went into remission 4 years ago.  I show my peers a copy of my new bestselling mystery novel and share with them how inspiring my book tour was.  I proudly announce that the So Now Professional Network for Women, which I founded 10 years ago, has grown like crazy and now prospers in 14 states.

·      What will I wear?  I am wearing a flowing long dress in black and white silk satin, beautiful jewelry, photos of my book cover are clenched in my hand and I am wearing my So Now logo pin.  My husband is escorting me around proudly.  I am fit and healthy.

·      How will I think?   Philippians 4:13 summarizes how I am thinking perfectly.  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”   

I am not listening to the people that say under their breath, “It just breaks my heart when I see her.”  Because instead, they are saying,  “It inspires my heart when I see her”.

·      What will I talk like?  I will communicate from a grateful heart and be present for every moment.  I will use future focused vocabulary and talk excitedly about the wonderful possibilities in store for my family, everyone I meet and myself.  I am confident that my next 5 years will be as wonderful as my past 5 years.

·      How will I feel?  Accomplished.  Happy.  Fulfilled.  Complete.  Faithful.  Inspired.  Connected.  Appreciated.  Successful.  Wow!

Two days after my, “Come as you will be, Party” visualization what am I experiencing? 

I am not sure if my visualization process is as effective as actually attending a “Come as you will be” party – which I will be planning soon – but I must admit that I am noticing small shifts in my mindset.  I am more positive, future-oriented, hopeful and my goals feel more doable!  I will continue to visualize my “Come as you will be in 5 years” me – and actually act it out the best I can each day – for 21 days.  I will post my mind shifts and any new perceptions and accomplishments as they come up. I am excited to see what happens!

If you were invited to a “Come as you will be…in 2020” party, please share how you would like to show up. How you will be acting and feeling.  What you will be wearing and talking like.  Or plan your own “party” and document your results – right here.