Wishcraft

1. Unleash Your Inner Genius by Reconnecting with Childhood Passions

Your dearest wish comes straight from your core, loaded with vital information about who you are and who you can become.

Rediscovering your original self. The key to unlocking your potential lies in reconnecting with the passions and interests that captivated you as a child. These early fascinations are not frivolous; they are clues to your innate talents and abilities, offering a roadmap to a fulfilling life path. By tapping into the energy and enthusiasm of your inner child, you can reignite your drive and purpose.

Childhood as a treasure map. Reflect on your childhood memories, paying close attention to the activities, subjects, and fantasies that sparked your curiosity and joy. Consider what senses you relied on most (sight, hearing, touch) and what secret games or daydreams you cherished. These fragments of your past hold the key to understanding your unique genius and designing a life that truly resonates with your authentic self.

From amnesia to awareness. Societal pressures and expectations often lead us to suppress our true selves, causing "amnesia" about our passions. By consciously revisiting your childhood interests, you can break free from these constraints and rediscover the activities and pursuits that will bring you the greatest happiness and success. Embrace the idea that your original self is a genius waiting to be reawakened.

2. Craft a Winner's Environment: Nurture Your Potential

If a seed is given good soil and plenty of water and sun, it doesn't have to try to unfold.

The power of nurture. The difference between those who achieve their dreams and those who don't often lies in the environment they were raised in. A nurturing environment provides the support, encouragement, and resources needed to flourish. This includes being treated as someone with unique genius, being told you can do anything, and receiving help to discover and develop your talents.

Rebuilding the foundation. If you didn't grow up in a nurturing environment, it's not too late to create one for yourself now. This involves consciously surrounding yourself with people who believe in you, providing yourself with the resources you need, and giving yourself permission to pursue your passions without guilt or self-doubt.

Qualities of a nurturing environment:

• Being treated as though you have a unique kind of genius that is loved and respected
• Being told that you could do and be anything you wanted
• Being given real help and encouragement in finding out what you wanted to do and how to do it
• Being encouraged to explore all your own talents and interests
• Being allowed to complain when the going got rough, and given sympathy instead of being told to quit
• Being bailed out when you got in over your head – without reproach
• Being surrounded by winners who were pleased when you won

3. StyleSearch: Decode Your Unique Identity Through Personal Preferences

Just because it isn't considered "important," style is the biggest field of free play and free choice left to you.

Style as a reflection of self. Your personal style, from the clothes you wear to the colors you choose for your home, is a powerful expression of your inner self. These seemingly trivial preferences offer valuable clues to your talents, interests, and unique way of seeing the world. By paying attention to your style, you can gain insights into your identity and design a life that aligns with your authentic self.

The Private-Eye Game. Become a detective and examine your surroundings as if you were trying to understand the person who lives there. Look at your clothes, books, music, furniture, and the way you organize your space. What do these choices reveal about your personality, values, and interests? This exercise can uncover hidden aspects of yourself and provide a richer understanding of your identity.

Uniqueness vs. Competition. Recognize that your style is unique and incomparable. Avoid comparing yourself to others and focus on celebrating your individuality. Your differences are your strengths, offering resources and perspectives that others may lack. Embrace your unique way of seeing and feeling the world, and let it guide you toward a fulfilling life path.

4. Goalsearch: Transform Dreams into Concrete, Achievable Targets

A goal is the basic unit of life design.

From dreams to reality. A goal is a concrete, measurable step toward realizing your dreams. Unlike vague aspirations, a goal is specific, achievable, and has a target date. This clarity allows you to create a plan and track your progress, turning your fantasies into tangible realities.

The two rules of goal setting:

1. A goal is concrete: It is a matter of facts, not feelings.
2. When you say "This is what I want," you're not fooling.

Touchstone and Role Model. To define your goal, identify your touchstone (the emotional core of what you want) and find a role model (someone who has already achieved something similar). These tools will help you shape a goal that is both meaningful and attainable. Remember, no goal is written in blood, and you can always change it if it no longer serves you.

5. Harness the Power of Negative Thinking to Overcome Obstacles

To start creating the life you want, you don’t need mantras, self-hypnosis, a character-building program, or a new toothpaste.

Embrace the "Hard Times." Acknowledge and express your negative feelings, fears, and doubts. Suppressing these emotions can be detrimental to your progress. Instead, allow yourself to complain, rant, and rave in a safe and constructive way. This process can release pent-up energy and clear your mind for problem-solving.

The "Yes-But" Game. Recognize when you're playing the "Yes-But" game, rejecting every solution that comes your way. This is a sign that deeper emotional issues are at play. Instead of focusing on the external obstacles, turn your attention inward and address the underlying fears and insecurities.

The Actions & Feelings Journal. Keep a journal to track your actions and feelings. This will help you identify patterns and understand how your emotions influence your behavior. It will also provide evidence that progress is possible even when you're feeling down.

6. Brainstorming: Unlock Ingenuity and Solve Problems Creatively

To start creating the life you want, you don’t need mantras, self-hypnosis, a character-building program, or a new toothpaste.

Transforming obstacles into opportunities. Brainstorming is a powerful technique for generating creative solutions to the challenges that stand between you and your goals. By suspending judgment and embracing unconventional ideas, you can unlock your ingenuity and discover new possibilities.

The two-stage brainstorming process:

1. Woolgathering: Generate a list of ideas, no matter how wild or impractical they may seem.
2. Bridge-building: Evaluate the ideas and develop a plan for implementing the most promising ones.

Role-play brainstorming. If you're stuck for ideas, try role-playing different characters, such as an old mule driver, the queen of a foreign country, or a mad genius. This can help you see the problem from a fresh perspective and generate new solutions.

7. Barn-Raising: Mobilize Community Support for Your Goals

It’s something much simpler. It’s know-how and support.

The power of community. You don't have to go it alone. Mobilizing the support of your friends, family, and acquaintances can provide you with the resources, encouragement, and connections you need to succeed. A barn-raising is a gathering where you share your goals and ask for help, creating a network of mutual aid.

The "old-boy network" for everyone. Learn from the success of the old-boy network and create your own system of mutual support. This involves sharing your skills, resources, and contacts with others, and asking for help in return.

Safeguards for barn-raising:

1. The Principle of Mutuality: Ensure that the exchange of help is balanced and fair.
2. The Right to Say "No": Respect the right of others to decline your requests, and don't be afraid to say no yourself.

8. Mastering Time: Structure Your Days for Success

To start creating the life you want, you don’t need mantras, self-hypnosis, a character-building program, or a new toothpaste.

Time as a raw material. Time is a precious resource that can be shaped and molded to fit your needs. By analyzing how you currently spend your time and identifying time-wasting activities, you can create more space for pursuing your goals.

The Ideal Day. Design your ideal day, filling it with activities and people that bring you joy and fulfillment. Then, identify the essential elements of that day and find ways to incorporate them into your current life.

The Planning Wall. Create a visual representation of your plan, including a flow chart, goal calendar, and weekly calendar. This will help you stay on track and motivated.

9. Winning Through Timidation: Conquer Fear with Preparation and Self-Compassion

To start creating the life you want, you don’t need mantras, self-hypnosis, a character-building program, or a new toothpaste.

Fear as a natural companion. Recognize that fear is a normal part of the creative process. Instead of trying to eliminate it, learn to manage it and use it to your advantage.

Distinguishing stage fright from survival fear. Stage fright is a temporary nervousness that can be overcome with preparation and self-compassion. Survival fear, on the other hand, is a deeper, more disabling fear that signals a need for greater security and support.

Strategies for conquering fear:

1. Prepare: Gather information, seek instruction, and rehearse.
2. Lower your standards: Allow yourself to make mistakes and start small.
3. Be scared: Acknowledge and express your fear in a safe and constructive way.
4. Task therapy: Focus your attention on the task at hand, away from your self-doubt.
5. Don't be afraid of mistakes: Learn from your failures and keep moving forward.
6. Give yourself rewards: Celebrate your accomplishments and treat yourself with kindness.

10. Don't-Do-It-Yourself: Cultivate Supportive Relationships for the Journey

To start creating the life you want, you don’t need mantras, self-hypnosis, a character-building program, or a new toothpaste.

The importance of support. You can't do it alone. Building a supportive network of friends, family, and mentors is essential for achieving your goals.

Turning resistance into support. If your loved ones are resistant to your goals, give them time to adjust and let them be mad. Communicate your needs and involve them in the process.

The Family Goal Conference. Hold a family meeting to discuss your goals and how they will impact everyone in the household. This will help you create a shared vision and ensure that everyone's needs are met.

Last updated: February 14, 2025