One step closer... Every little thing you do counts towards something. It can be one step closer to what you want, what you love, what you enjoy. Or it can be one step farther away from where you want to be. It's up to you. Maybe it is decision time... As the saying goes, think big but start small. In practical terms what does that even mean? Well, if you aren’t happy with some aspect of your life, or all of it, begin with a vision, a plan. If you want to work less, downsize. If you want to feel better, take better care of your body and mind. If you want to be a writer, then write. If you want to be in a healthier relationship, be nicer or stop being a doormat – whichever shoe fits. Be your own life-goals project manager. Paint a picture with all the details in your mind. Who would you be? What would you do? What are you doing that doesn’t match that picture? Do you need to get up earlier, go to bed earlier, get off the couch? Get rid of some stuff in your home, your life, maybe even clear up relationships? Move more, exercise, eat better? Stop playing games and scrolling? Update your resume, clean your car? Then, whatever you can do today, this week, do it. Choose one thing each day, each moment, no matter how small. Ask yourself if what you are doing right now is going to contribute to the steps towards your vision. If “yes” then do it, if “no” then reevaluate and adjust.
There is no time like the present – give yourself the gift of moving towards your goal. Believe that it can happen.
I began this year with a mission to simplify my life and do what I love. Although it has been something I’ve had on my mind for years, it took some intense planning and redirecting to unravel 50+ years of “stuff” – physical and otherwise – with a lot of letting go. Interestingly, after some honest reflecting I discovered that one of the reasons I kept spinning was because up until the end of last year I wasn’t buying into my own vision. It remained a dream outside of reach… I would think thoughts like wouldn’t it be nice if or this is never going to end… As if what I wanted was going to magically happen! Painfully I had to admit that I had to do something different and not wait.
Some days it was to tell myself to get out of bed. Get rid of the attitude. Other days to keep my mouth shut and stay focused. I had to talk to myself like I was giving instructions to a 4-year-old. And, yes there was a lot of backtalk to overlook and redirecting with only myself there to do it.
In the end, all those little steps that I forced myself to take each day; each week, are now turning out to be the pinnacle of a slow but steady process. Now, with only a couple of months left in this year I am closer than ever. My vision is finally in sight and I can see the shoreline. It turns out that it was really just about being true to myself, decluttering, and not following social dictates or what I thought I was supposed to do. Being true to my vision in life’s different seasons and in each moment. Doing the work, taking the steps, and trusting the process. Being careful to follow the plan. Making sure my steps were strategic, not reactive, with a commitment to not give up.
You can do the same. This day, this week, is one of a dozen others but it can be one of only a dozen steps towards what you want. Decide on a vision, be true to it, honor yourself, and do something that will build your vision into reality. Don’t wait. There is no time like the present… Think big - start small.