How to start doing what you love – embrace the power of imagination
By Elkanah Nyauma
Bright Horizons
How to start doing what you love: Embrace the power of imagination
In the book 100 Ways to Motivate Yourself, there’s a compelling idea on how to start doing what you love. The key is embracing the power of imagination. Steve Chandler shares a memorable experience involving his then-12-year-old daughter, Margery, who participated in a school poetry reading. Each student was asked to write a “lie poem” about how great they were, inventing untruths that portrayed them in an unbelievably wonderful light. As Chandler listened to these poems, he realized that the children were engaging in a creative exercise similar to what Arnold used to clarify his future. By “lying” about their extraordinary qualities, they were essentially crafting a vision of who they aspired to be.
How to start doing what you love by imagining your ideal self
This approach reveals a profound insight on how to start doing what you love. When it’s difficult to see the truth of our potential, imagining an idealized version of ourselves can be incredibly effective. The school’s assignment, though unintended, illustrated a valuable lesson. If it’s challenging to envision your true potential, start by creating a fantasy about who you want to be. For example, think about what you’ve always wanted to do. See yourself doing it, whether it’s broadcasting news as a journalist or running a morning show. Your subconscious mind doesn’t distinguish between fantasy and reality; it processes images and aspirations without judgment.
Turning fantasy into reality
Soon, this imaginative exercise will help you develop a blueprint for achieving your highest goals. Without a clear picture of your best self, it’s hard to live into that vision. In essence, it may sound like you’re “faking it till you make it” but that’s not the case. You are seeing the future from where you are seated, standing or lying.
Through this process, those initial lies can evolve into your reality. As Elkanah Nyauma, I find that understanding how to start doing what you love can be a powerful tool for transforming dreams into achievable goals.
