Aspiration (chapter 11 in resilient)

Reflection On Resilient: Aspiration
I read this while waiting at Les Schwab and scribbled notes in my book. One of my aspirations is to be a writer - and I wished that I'd brought my laptop along  to get started in that moment! If you are longing for a change - big or small - in your life I think you will appreciate the reflection questions. 

Summary of Resilient: Aspiration
There are three key parts to this chapter - reflecting on your aspirations, solidifying what you would like to offer, and identifying "fertile ground" for where to get started. To benefit most from this exploration I recommend you read this chapter yourself. However, as a therapist a section called "aspirations without attachment"  stood out as something that most people could benefit from. 
Rick encourages a Growth Mindset (and credits Carol Dweck), which is to have a mindset of staying focused on efforts to learn and grow (and not on the results achieved). I've also heard this described as having a "process" mindset where you focus on enjoying the process of working on your goals (with less attachment on the outcome). He asks us to be curious about what it would be like to "redefine success in terms of developing new skills, understanding others, or acquiring knowledge". 
Additionally, he points out the loss of energy we have when we worry about failure or take things personally. Both of which are incredibly normal, but very unhelpful. He notes "if you accept the possibility of defeat, you improve the chance of victory". And to remember "many of the causes of success or failure don't have your name on them". 

Resilient: How to grow an unshakable core of calm, strength, and happiness
by Rick Hanson, Ph.D. with Forrest Hanson, copyright 2018
Chapter 11, pages 221-237