Door 1: The Environment

Rest assured, I was alive and well. As I was returning home that evening, I realized that when I saw that sticker, I had unconsciously projected myself into a life I had dreamed of. I was no longer in France, on that N12, but in Quebec, a land that had so often fueled my childhood dreams. My decision was made. I was going to change my life. No turning back, no matter what!

This radical change literally represented for me the opening of a door, which would lead me to this new life. I had finally decided to be the entrepreneur of my life.

In my journey as a neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) coach a few years later, I understood that this door corresponded to the "first logical level of change". This, according to Robert Dilts' classification, represents our Environment, or our external life context. It is the level of space and time. Let me explain:

-The blue and white sticker represented the flag of Quebec, as you guessed. It was the symbol, the trigger that instantly rekindled my childhood dream.

-I realized that my present, as it was at that moment, was making me unhappy. Who I was, what I was doing, where I was living, did not match my criteria for happiness.

-At the same time, I had the feeling of a better future, elsewhere. I saw and tasted another life, the one I could have. But, it was not here and not at this moment.

From the present state to the desired state

Back home, troubled, I gave myself a moment to reflect. I wanted to change my environment and the questions related to this first level of change, the first door, would help me clarify my thoughts:

Current state

Where? I live in a city I don't like.

With whom? My professional, personal and social environments do not satisfy me.

When? Right now and for more than three years already.

Sensations-Emotions? I see the glass as half empty. I hear an inner voice that harms me. I feel a weight in my stomach. My life seems terribly dull.

Desired state

Where? I live in Quebec.

With whom? New environments (social, professional, personal, etc.) that stimulate me and make me happy.

When? Now. In a year at the latest.

Sensations-Emotions? I see a blazing sun on the horizon. I hear a voice congratulating me for taking action. I feel light and radiant. I feel a sense of freedom and accomplishment.

Maintain the desired state and live it in the present

Finally, the most important part of the questioning: applying a strategy to keep the desired state alive, every day, and mentally preparing myself to achieve my goal.

The intention was to act "as if" I was there, "as if" I was already living my dream come true. By staying connected as much as possible to your emotions, the approach is very interesting to maintain motivation and achieve your goals. Moreover, it is said that everything that has ever been created was first imagined. So I dreamed and maintained this dream in my imagination, until it came to fruition.

From dream to reality

I arrived in Montreal the following year, in February 2006. I was very moved, full of hope and proud of this personal accomplishment, despite the difficulties encountered. I was happy, and yet, I had undertaken this dream alone, a suitcase in hand, a bag on my back, with only a few months of financial savings. In Quebec, at that time, I had no friends, no job, no housing, no cell phone and no Facebook! I felt very small in this airport. I admit, without a specific destination, I was rather confused. I hesitated to push open the door in front of me. Was it the sight of this snow-white environment? Was it the fear of the unknown? In my head, the questions jostled one another: "And now, where do I start? Where am I going? What do I do?"

At that moment, I began to realize that the goal I had just achieved might be just the beginning of a very long journey on the path to change. Although I had passed through the first door, I still had many steps to go before I became who I really am. The second door was already there, right in front of me, and yet I didn't see it.

Through my personal story, I propose and invite you to test the tools that you will discover throughout my chronicles. No matter the dimensions for which you wish to see change, whether on a professional, personal, relational or sentimental level. You will have the opportunity to appropriate these new tools and apply them to your story. You will be able to write the next chapters in your own way and become, in a way, the entrepreneur of your own life. Open the doors. You are the key.