What do you want to do with your life?

How can you choose to create a life that YOU love?

It might not be easy.

You will need courage to be yourself, to discover and follow YOUR dreams, even if it differs from the ideas of those around you.

There is not one right path in learning or in life.
Knowing your values, your priorities and strengths can help you find the right path for you.

Your path might change, or veer, or go in circles.

That's normal and ok.

Be willing to be different, unpopular, and unique.

Raising a Thiel Fellow Tip #6 Go Against the Grain http://bit.ly/1wNnkjM

What steps can you take?

Looking back over my life I realize I've developed a process I've used to go from not so ideal beginnings to a amazing life I love.

It is a 3 step process that you use again and again to empower you to make choices and take action to create a life that is right for you.

I'll tell you a story that illustrates why I think the first step, asking hard questions is important.

When my only son, Dale J. Stephens, founder of UnCollege.org, was six I almost died from pregnancy complications. Waking up to a doctor saying, "we almost lost you" was a wake up call for life . It made me think about the need to ask hard questions and be honest with myself - was I doing what mattered? Was I choosing to live the life I wanted?

So these questions are for you to think or talk or write about.

What really matters to you?

Why?

Knowing what matters to you will help you decide what you want to do and help with courage when you need it.

Look at ALL of your options!

Sometimes you don't know what you like, or don't like until you try. Be curious and think about how many different ways you can try and do things. If one thing doesn't work, try another. It's an adventure!

When my son came home in 5th grade and said, "Mom can you homeschool me?" I had to step back and think about what really mattered to me and be willing to try something completely different and scary to help him reach his potential.

Take a minute and think/write/talk about some things you are curious about and want to try.

Make a list.

Here is the no excuses, it is time to take action step.

Do what matters every day.

When I was 19 I discovered that what mattered to me was nonviolence on all levels, being creative and resourceful in solving problems, and empowering people to learn and take action. I changed jobs and hours so that I would have time to devote to these priorities.

What steps are you taking to do what matters in your life?

What is one step you can take today?

Remember this is a process that you can use throughout your life, possibly throughout the day, to help you determine your values and priorities.

You have the power to choose how to handle the circumstances and challenges and adventures life brings your way.

You have the power to choose to say:

Yes I will take advantage of opportunities with enthusiasm and gratitude.

Yes I can figure out how to deal with difficulties.

Yes I will show up each day and do what matters.

Yes, I can choose to create a life I love.

Thank you for watching.

I love sharing my experience with parents and lifelong learners ready to reclaim their learning and define success for themselves.

Please get in touch on twitter @lisanalbone or email me, lisa@uncollege.org.

Visit my site LisaNalbone.com and sign up for the email newsletter.


Check out the Gap Year Program at UnCollege.org.

Original photos by Lisa Nalbone and J.P. Stephens.