Thrive Like Betty White: Become Self-Directed. | Brenda Bomgardner, LPC, BCC, ACS, Therapist in Lakewood, CO 80214

I am named after Brenda Starr who was considered a prima donna and a feminist who had a mind of her own. She was a role model for me to learn about being self-directed. Brenda Starr ran in the Sunday comic for over 70 years. Hence, I spent most of my formative years pouring over her newspaper adventures and dreaming about the day when I grow up and take charge of my life.

In my teens Wonder Woman replaced Brenda Starr and I dreamt of being a super hero. Fast forward and now Betty White is my role model. Why? She is doing what she wants. She is self-directing her career by not fading away or hibernating from the cameras. She’s out there doing her own thing and funnier than ever not to mention downright popular.

Self-directed means being guided by oneself, especially as an independent agent. Self-directed people are less prone to feel compelled by the influences of external control and constraints based on other peoples judgments. They are independent thinkers who exhibit self-reliance and autonomy. Rarely will you hear a self-directed person expressing opinions of being a victim. Even if something bad happens resilience is their nature.

Self-directed people have a knowing of their closely held values as a guiding force in living life. Can someone become self-directed? I believe we can all learn to become more self-directed by clarifying what energizes us through values exploration and choosing to be in congruence with those values. This takes courage by moving beyond your comfort zone into the “growth zone.”
I help people do just this through counseling, coaching and workshops. I have a workshop coming up on Ground Hog day which is Saturday (2/2/2013). Click here to read about Modern Marvels: Mindfulness-based ACT.

Brenda Starr: writers - Dale Messick and Mary Schmich
Wonder Woman; writers -

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