the 3a's: creating a purposeful life through attention, acceptance & authenticity

The 3A’s:

Creating a Purposeful Life through Attention - Acceptance -

Authenticity

www.dyanwilliams.com(612) 323-1859

dyan@dyanwilliams.com

What gets in the way

of creating a purposeful life?

CHAOS (or, more precisely, aversion to chaos)

UNCERTAINTY (or, more precisely,

apprehension of uncertainty)

MATERIAL GOALS (or, more precisely, attachment to material goals)

What are the potential responses to what gets in the way?

PURPOSEFUL ACTION

PURPOSEFUL ACTION

INACTION

© 2013, Dyan Williams

OVERACTION

CHAOS | UNCERTAINTY | MATERIAL GOALS

3 Practices to CreatePurposeful Action

Attention (seizing the power of the present moment)

Acceptance (embracing uncontrollable situations and circumstances as they unfold)

Authenticity (acting in alignment with your true self and core values)

BUSYNESSOveraction

STUCKNESSInaction

ATTENTIONPurposeful Action

Attention - Continuum

© 2013, Dyan Williams

Attention - ContinuumBUSYNESS Juggle

Multitask

Work harder & faster

STUCKNESS Drop

Procrastinate/Delay

Keep idle

ATTENTION Focus

Single-task

Work in harmony

© 2013, Dyan Williams

RESISTANCEOveraction

AVOIDANCEInaction

ACCEPTANCEPurposeful Action

Acceptance - Continuum

© 2013, Dyan Williams

RESISTANCE Fight reality

Micromanage/Control

Bully way through

AVOIDANCE Escape reality

Overthink/Obsess

Fail to follow through

ACCEPTANCE Befriend reality

Nurture/influence

Stay open and curious

© 2013, Dyan Williams

Acceptance - Continuum

ACHIEVEMENTOveraction

RELINQUISHMENTInaction

AUTHENTICITYPurposeful Action

Authenticity - Continuum

© 2013, Dyan Williams

ACHIEVEMENT Chase external rewards

Fixate on goals

Succeed at all costs

RELINQUISHMENT Seek certainty/familiarity

Give up on goals

Shun challenges

© 2013, Dyan Williams

Authenticity - Continuum

AUTHENTICITY Align with core values

Strive for goals without clinging

Learn no matter what

9 ways to practice the 3 A’s

Attention

1. Commit to the present

Attention

2. Observe without judgment

Attention

3. Choose one thing at a time

Acceptance

4. Face imperfect conditions as they are

Acceptance

5. Capitalize on your strengths and let go of your weaknesses

Acceptance

6. Feel what you feel, but drop the story line

Authenticity

7. Claim your uniqueness

Authenticity

8. See setbacks & mistakes as opportunity to grow & develop

Authenticity

9. Let go of the when-then trap

Purposeful Action Leads to a Purposeful Life

Attention helps you appreciate what is before you

Acceptance enables you to move freely with the highs and lows

Authenticity allows you to savor the process and your progress, regardless of the outcome

The 3A’s:

Creating a Purposeful Life through Attention - Acceptance -

Authenticity

www.dyanwilliams.com(612) 323-1859

dyan@dyanwilliams.com