The 3 steps I’m sharing will help in redefining your freedom, evaluate, and determine what being free really means to you. Note, not what others expect of you, but what your very own personal definition of freedom is.

Try these 3 steps for 30 days or more like I did until it becomes a habit. I can assure you that your mind will adapt to continually being focused on a better you. You need this exercise now more than ever before; especially if this is the first such self-scan exercise, you’re taking in these current times when it feels like we have lost much of our freedoms.

But first- a little info about me plus how you and I might relate……

Two years ago, I didn’t anticipate that I would be a digital marketer, and online business owner. My focus was on my office job, and building a career. I remember feeling frustrated as I fought to keep my eyes open at night while studying for some certification in order to advance in my role. I could only manage to squeeze in some study time after put my youngest child to bed. Sometimes I tried to study on the subway train as I rode to and from work.

Most nights I found myself thinking over and over again if this was what I want be doing for the next 5 -10 years. No doubt, those numerous late-night-soul-search moments lead me here. Now I know what the quote “To Thine Own Self Be True” means. If you and I have mutual feelings like these, then please keep reading.

Finally believing in myself, I dared to take a risk and start a business in the middle of a pandemic. That business is now thriving. You’re probably wondering, how did you find the courage to do that? Did you have enough money for it? The answer those questions is this; the desire for my freedom propelled me to take action.

Allow me now to let you in on the 3 basic steps I found myself constantly reviewing, and undoubtedly help me redefine my freedom. This is not a research paper, it’s the simplest steps that I used knowingly, or otherwise to redefine my freedom as an adult woman.

• Identify Personal Values

Values are quality personal standards. They affect one’s behavior & judgement of what is important in their life. When that epiphany moment descended on me, I got clarity on how and to what extent I craved freedom.

It was one Monday evening after picking up my 5year old son from school. He was sad faced because I’d just announced “I’m sorry baby, I can’t go to the school field trip with your class this time round”. I had missed the previous class trip with the promise to be on the next one. And he asked me in a matter-of-fact way that kids do “Is your work more important than me?”

At that moment we sat down on the carpet, I looked straight into his eyes, and went on to explain how my work was not more important than him. Later on, when out for a run, I cried knowing how true that was. Undoubtedly, I desired to spend more time with my kids but had to keep working to pay the bills. I didn’t have the freedom to do both at will.

Thus the question became, to what extent could I keep doing this though? Of course, I couldn’t just up and leave my job. As a parent I have responsibilities. However, something crucial happened; I had zoomed in on a core value. Values trigger joy when honored, and unfulfillment when ignored. What are your values?

• Identify Limiting Beliefs

Many folks confuse values and beliefs. Beliefs are just convictions not necessarily proven, and are handed down to us, or picked up along the development path.

Unfortunately, these beliefs good or bad, greatly affect our values and morals. Most people – me included, live many years wrapped in beliefs that don’t serve their values or authentic self. The belief for example that “you need money to make money” is one I trashed. Limiting beliefs such as these are what stunts or slows down your overall growth.

Individuals who are able to banish such beliefs progress faster in life. All these years I waited to make enough money to start a business – even though I witnessed many around me start small businesses with very little money in their pockets. Now, whether those ventures succeeded, or failed is not the point.

What most of us fail to decipher for decades is that Courage for example is a value that plays a major role when making certain decisions in life – like starting a business for some. I had tapped on that value in other areas of my life, but not in business because of one little nasty belief. The list of limiting beliefs is endless, and has been studied a lot so educate yourself if you haven’t already. What are the limiting beliefs that you’ll need to discard to fertilize your overall growth?

• Identify THE AUTHENTIC YOU

Authenticity is a whole topic by itself, but it need not be complex. The authentic SELF is that child who dared when we were younger. Perhaps, you’re this young daring person right now -please never stop. Hold on to the memories of the little girl or boy, who dreamed, and who spoke their mind without fear of judgement? That authentic child still lives within you.

My teenage son is in the conformity stage, and in a hurry to grow up. I often tell him that growing up sucks as much as it entices. Becoming a young adult is a gateway to the school of personal discovery that has no clear graduation date. Some go through this education tunnel faster than others; while others never bother, and remain in the conformity realm.

It took me decades of wrestling with, and doubting myself on the inside while the outer me was miss confident. Probably because I had a relatively comfortable childhood, and never got curious enough. Maybe not; but it doesn’t matter anymore since it’s in the past now. You’ll need to detach yourself from my circumstances, and situations often during this process to allow the real you to emerge. Take your time, and enjoy the rediscovery
journey.

I have always known from an early age that freedom in all aspects of my life was all all I wanted, all that mattered, and on what I thrived – when I dared. It took me decades to redefine this for myself, and to embrace FREEDOM as one of my CORE VALUES in which the AUTHENTIC ME thrives. The parting question for you is Who is the Authentic you, and what do you really want or desire for yourself?

Bookmark this post because you’ll need to read this over again. You will need it. Read some books, listen to podcasts, watch documentaries, and TED Talks. Do whatever you need to do and redefine your freedom. Once you have that blue print, don’t stop at until you have achieved that freedom. Remember Freedom isn’t a status…. It’s a continuous happy journey of living life with a sense of fulfillment. And that’s where I’m at. Carpe Diem!