Getting started is difficult. So difficult it took me 20 minutes to write that first sentence. It didn't help that my husband decided to "check in" as I was typing the words, or that my mom then called as soon as I hung up with my husband, or that my infant son has found his voice and it sounds something like a prehistoric pterodactyl.
But again..... I digress.
Accomplishing anything is process. Whether it's writing an article, finishing that scarf you've been knitting since
last winter, or starting a dreaded "diet", you've got to get through 3 steps to feel like you are gaining any traction.
First, you must set your
intention. My goal today was to write this article
before my 15 month old woke up from his nap. Second, you must be
motivated. I knew that if I didn't jump on the opportunity, without being interrupted by Blue's Clues, I would get behind in my self-imposed daily writing schedule. Third, you must
persevere. Through distractions, self doubt, and road blocks the ability to keep going
is the most important step in this trinity of success.
1. Set an Intention
There have been numerous books over the past few years, including one of my favorites by
Dr. Wayne Dyer called
The Power of Intention, in which the idea that our perception of what
could happen greatly affects the outcome of what
will happen.
“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” ~ Dr. Wayne Dyer
Anyone that looks like 'Mr. Clean' has got to know something right?
Devising a purposeful goal is a key step that many of us forget. Instead of anticipating or planning the experience we would like to have, we dive straight in, let the chips falls where they may, and wonder why our lives don't feel within our control.
I've been guilty of this
oh so many times, especially when in a disagreement. Instead of thinking about what I say to the other person, before I say it, I jump in, guns blazing. If I had just approached the situation from the intention that I was going to hear the other person out and not say anything to
deliberately hurt them, I could take comfort in knowing I was coming from a good place, even if they didn't agree with what I was saying.
“When the choice is to be right or to be kind, always make the choice that brings peace” ~ Dr. Wayne Dyer
Whether you tell yourself you
can do something or you
can't, you will always be right, so
choose whichever will get you to your goal.
2. Get Motivated
Finding the energy to get yourself going can seem damn near impossible when faced with a big task (or a little one like getting myself off the couch). I sometimes tell myself if I don't start something, then I won't be discouraged when I don't finish it. How ass-backward is that!?
Your motivation to accomplish any goal has to be less painful then the alternative. Being in shape as opposed to being winded walking up the stairs, playing it safe or taking a risk, staying in a damaging relationship or venturing out on your own...its all about which motivates you to experience the least amount of pain.
For me, the alternative to becoming a better writer, supportive Doula and fulfilling my career aspirations is to waste the talent and passion I was blessed with. Frankly, that scares the shit out of me.
My drive is fueled by
not wanting to squander my potential with inaction. So just START. Whatever you've been putting off, start it now. I've found once I get rolling the momentum builds and each task becomes easier than the last.
So get pumped! Imagine all the positive ways your life will change once you do that thing you've been "meaning to do". Visualize the smile on your face and pride in your step when you can say I did it!
3. Persevere, Persevere, Persevere.
For changes to be of any true value, they've got to be lasting and consistent. ~ Tony Robbins
Consistency. It might as well be a four-letter word to me. But really is there any other way to make the changes we seek, other then doing that thing ALL the time? (I'm still hoping there is a loophole to this). Step one and two I've got down to a science, but step three is often where I fall flat on my face right into a steaming pile of self-pity and disappointment.
Anyone who achieves results, in any aspect of their life, does so because of the constant choice to make it happen. I think most of us start off with SUPER high enthusiasm but find it difficult to maintain that level of throughout our busy lives. We let other responsibilities momentarily deter us, swearing its "only this once". Then we make lame excuses as to why we can't do it
as much, but we're still tooootallly committed. Before you know it we've given up because doing something half-assed makes us feel worse then not doing it all.
In order to make lasting changes make sure whatever you are focusing on is truly important to YOU. If your goal is to get in shape before the summer swim suit season then pick a regime that fits into YOUR life, not the life of someone who has hours to spend at the gym.
If you want to eat healthier start by cutting one food that you know you can live without. (For me its salty potato chips). Making small changes is a lot easier to stick to than saying, "I'm giving up all carbs, dairy, gluten, sugar, and meat!"
Giving myself doable goals to get to milestones also gives me an incentive to keep going. Otherwise, I get so overwhelmed with the "big picture" I STOP like a deer in headlights.
If you DO find yourself getting stuck, don't beat yourself up. Give yourself credit for what you've done, dust yourself off, and keep it movin'. The more you dwell on your mistakes in the past the harder it is to see your achievements in the future.
Whatever it is you want do, its not beyond your reach. We all have amazing potential if we just give ourselves a chance.
What is your recipe for success? Share in the comments section below!
Washing, Rinsing, Repeating in Granolaville,
P.S. This post took me 4 days to write....I'm a work in progress.
