Happy Monday, or whatever Monday you choose.Happy Monday, or whatever Monday you choose.
My life did not flash before my eyes when I fell off my bike. I am fine; just a bruised ego and interesting questions. The incident did make me realize that sometimes, we should not go full speed ahead to catch a green light. Sometimes forging ahead causes more setbacks in the long run. Life imitates art since I have also hit a roadblock in my "My Not?" presentation on which I am currently working. I do not know if it is self-doubt or if I have bitten off more than I can chew and will need to gain more skills before continuing. When you fall, you have to get back up and trudge on. This incident is also a visceral reminder about having skin in the game. I need to produce something concrete or end up again on the concrete. I got back on my bike today and did not fall.
But, and there is always a but – will I snatch defeat from the jaws of victory? I was donating blood and managed to have a philosophical conversation with my phlebotomist. He mentioned that people wish for things to happen and do not act on their dreams. I retorted "faith without works." I did not catch the young man's name, but if you see a t-shirt on Zazzle, that was me. Do you struggle with being disciplined in the final stretch? It is easy to keep up the momentum when everything is flowing. However, what is your modus operandi when you hit a wall? I do my best Scarlett O'Hara fiddle dee dee impersonation. That will only get me pipe dreams and nothing tangible.
Focus. Focus. Focus. I have done this before. What I have learned from the past is that I am capable of success. This week is the week that I will prove to myself that I can build something from scratch and successfully execute. I can then take those lessons and apply them to my more extensive project. This is not the time to go off on a tangent and chase ideas down the rabbit hole. Working with clear intention is vital. I will ask myself if what I am doing is getting me closer to my goals. Discipline and focus can shrink mountains. I have proven this to myself time and again. "I have enough time to accomplish everything important to me." One of my colleague's schedules all the things he would like to accomplish and is faithful to the plan. He manages a very crammed scheduled and always comes across as if he is taking a stroll in the park.
What's next? Maybe this time I will finally jump. I have come so close before. I run full speed ahead and prepare to take that leap of faith. Instead of believing in myself, I look down at the enormous chasm, and everything comes to a screeching halt. A sneak peek of my "Why Not?" is that a significant part of being able to do something is believing that you can do it. Change is painful. You keep wanting to look behind you instead of moving forward. The "what ifs?" can become the soundtrack of your mind; put on a new tune. Just like that little old ant that Sinatra sings about, I have high hopes; high apple pie in the sky hopes. "Oops, there goes another problem, kerplop."
