The Problem with the Magic Wand Question

The Magic Wand won’t solve this for you

If you’ve read any self-help books or been coached before you’ve probably seen this question:

If you could wave a magic wand, and have, be, do anything you like, what would it be? 

Or, in an alternative incarnation:

If you had all the money in the world, what would you do?

This is supposed to give you instant clarity on what it is you really want to do with your life, but aren’t doing right now.

It seems quite clever. 

The idea is to take away all barriers to what you really want, and then see what your completely ‘freed’ self will do. 

As if.

Giving you a magic wand, or all the money in the world, will do no such thing.

It will take away a lot of practical problems, sure. 
But these usually aren’t the only things holding you back from ‘living the dream’.

There’s all the invisible stuff nestled quite comfortably inside your brain. 

Beliefs you’ve taken on from years of advertising, media, and societal expectations. 

For example the idea that you need to get yourself a career, partner, house to count as a ‘proper’ human being.

That you then need to ‘free’ yourself and become a poolside digital nomad. 

Or that you need to devote your life, mind, talent to helping other people. 

You can desire to do all of the above - there is nothing inherently right or wrong about them. 

But do you like, or even KNOW your reason why you want this?

Or is it just a desire you’ve taken on, like most of us, without questioning it?

If the latter is the case you have some unpacking to do. 

Maybe your dream, right now, is to try stuff out, have a ton of fun doing it, without that constant pressure to figure out your purpose or passion, to be productive or to succeed.

And a great way to do that is to join me next week for Five Days to Uncover Your Dreams - I’ll take you on a fun journey that will help you uncover your true wants and desires. Click here to sign up.