Happy Monday, or whatever Monday you choose.
Last week, I shared the principle of Parkinson’s Law. Yesterday, I lived it. Saturday, I was speaking with a dear friend who is dealing with the aftermath of a devastating life event. There are many extra things to deal with, and my friend is having a hard time getting started. I realized that I was in the same boat since I have been keeping myself busy while fretting about the paperwork I need to attend. Sunday morning I woke up and decided to first eat the paperwork frog. I took over my dining table with the paperwork and accomplished quite a little before the sun rose. Sometimes our provisions are packed; our gas tanks are full, we sit in the driver’s seat and…nothing. Have you ever been afraid of getting started? One of the things that stood out to me is that my friend agonized over every decision, hoping to make the “correct” one. This need for perfection can halt us in our tracks. The only “incorrect” decision, when trying to pursue a goal, is not to start. Remember, failure is just learning what did not work. When you go hiking, even if you follow the trail, you can be surprised by an animal or an obstacle in the road. The right path does not mean the perfect path. Trust yourself to make the right choices for you. Making mistakes is okay. Get started, fail quickly, and move on.
But, and there is always a but – sometimes you are your biggest obstacle. Are you sitting in the driver’s seat telling yourself that it’s not going to work, or you don’t know where to go, or you can’t do this? Maybe you are second guessing if it’s even worth it. Use that moment of hesitation to reflect. What are your true motivations and intentions? If your journey takes two hours, two days, or two years, what is important is to enjoy and learn until you get there. Perhaps you are hesitant because you wonder what other people will think. Other people do not live in your skin; can you look in the mirror and say you did your best? Be open to the opportunity to forge your path and find your way. If you encounter an obstacle, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?”
Do you have a vision or what you are trying to accomplish? Use that as your north star. How many people are “someday” people? Someday, I’m going to start my own business. Someday I’m going to travel to Paris. Someday, I’m going to declutter my house. You have packed your bags and are sitting in the driver’s seat. Everything is ready to go. Do not wait for someday. Turn the key, start it up, and be a “right now” person. Right now you are ready to start making your vision a reality. Right now, you are unafraid of making a mistake because it is an opportunity to learn. Right now, you do not care what other people think because you are the boss of you.
What’s next? When you die to the thought of being a victim, you can be reborn as a victor. Stop making failure a self-fulfilling prophecy. Let go of those limiting thoughts by anchoring yourself to your vision. What have you learned from your past? Use it as lessons learned as you start on your path. If the snake comes, you will know how to avoid it or treat the venom. If the log falls in the road, you will know how to overcome or remove it. Like Muhammad Ali said, “float like a butterfly, and sting like a bee.” Why are you waiting? My dining table is clear.
Happy Monday, or whatever Monday you choose.
Last week, I shared the principle of Parkinson’s Law. Yesterday, I lived it. Saturday, I was speaking with a dear friend who is dealing with the aftermath of a devastating life event. There are many extra things to deal with, and my friend is having a hard time getting started. I realized that I was in the same boat since I have been keeping myself busy while fretting about the paperwork I need to attend. Sunday morning I woke up and decided to first eat the paperwork frog. I took over my dining table with the paperwork and accomplished quite a little before the sun rose. Sometimes our provisions are packed; our gas tanks are full, we sit in the driver’s seat and…nothing. Have you ever been afraid of getting started? One of the things that stood out to me is that my friend agonized over every decision, hoping to make the “correct” one. This need for perfection can halt us in our tracks. The only “incorrect” decision, when trying to pursue a goal, is not to start. Remember, failure is just learning what did not work. When you go hiking, even if you follow the trail, you can be surprised by an animal or an obstacle in the road. The right path does not mean the perfect path. Trust yourself to make the right choices for you. Making mistakes is okay. Get started, fail quickly, and move on.
But, and there is always a but – sometimes you are your biggest obstacle. Are you sitting in the driver’s seat telling yourself that it’s not going to work, or you don’t know where to go, or you can’t do this? Maybe you are second guessing if it’s even worth it. Use that moment of hesitation to reflect. What are your true motivations and intentions? If your journey takes two hours, two days, or two years, what is important is to enjoy and learn until you get there. Perhaps you are hesitant because you wonder what other people will think. Other people do not live in your skin; can you look in the mirror and say you did your best? Be open to the opportunity to forge your path and find your way. If you encounter an obstacle, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?”
Do you have a vision or what you are trying to accomplish? Use that as your north star. How many people are “someday” people? Someday, I’m going to start my own business. Someday I’m going to travel to Paris. Someday, I’m going to declutter my house. You have packed your bags and are sitting in the driver’s seat. Everything is ready to go. Do not wait for someday. Turn the key, start it up, and be a “right now” person. Right now you are ready to start making your vision a reality. Right now, you are unafraid of making a mistake because it is an opportunity to learn. Right now, you do not care what other people think because you are the boss of you.
What’s next? When you die to the thought of being a victim, you can be reborn as a victor. Stop making failure a self-fulfilling prophecy. Let go of those limiting thoughts by anchoring yourself to your vision. What have you learned from your past? Use it as lessons learned as you start on your path. If the snake comes, you will know how to avoid it or treat the venom. If the log falls in the road, you will know how to overcome or remove it. Like Muhammad Ali said, “float like a butterfly, and sting like a bee.” Why are you waiting? My dining table is clear.
