Avoiding. Avoiding to think. Sort out these emails. Sort out those papers. Clean out that “thing”. Turn the TV on… Sounds familiar? Any distraction to avoid thinking about what to do next and to avoid taking any action. Because if we start thinking we’re afraid we might realize even more that we don’t know what to do next and how to tackle the situation. A bit more time in ignorance and hope it’ll just go away and sort itself out.
Really? Is that what it has come to? Repeat the same routine, get frustrated by it, but still hope it’ll get magically better without actually doing anything about it?
It would be great, for sure. And if you find that magic wand that makes it all fix itself without any other action, do let me know. Though I guess if you did have it, you’d be the richest person on earth, everyone would want to it!
Let’s be honest: that first action, that first step towards making a change, or restarting a change that came to a halt, is a tough one, there’s no denying that. It can be really overwhelming.
It’s like cranking up an old car, or starting a bike uphill, or that first step into that cold ocean. Never comfortable, never easy. But then, something always happens. At some point, it becomes easier. As momentum builds up, as we get used to the temperature, it actually starts feeling ok.
That’s what we have to remember when looking at that ocean, at that hill, at that old car, at that change. To remember that it gets easier, that we just have to start something, even small, in the knowledge that it will build momentum.
Or we can just stare at it all and wait. And wait. And feel frustrated or sad or miserable about the lack of change that we so desire.
But how do we go from standstill to that first step?
Just try something. Do something different to kick start it.
See the delays, the procrastination for what they are. Be honest with yourself. And forgiving: procrastinating does not make us bad, it’s just a reflection of us being human. That’s it.
Change your routine.
Stop those distracting activities and actually start doing ONE thing towards that change. Even if it’s small.
Just ONE thing today. And one tomorrow. And one the day after.
Plan those three days in advance, with ONE “change” activity a day. That’s doable. And it will make you feel good. And if you do more, great!
Just start.
And if you can, tell a friend, a trusted colleague, or anyone else you feel comfortable asking, if they would be ok to hold you accountable for it. There’s nothing like a little bit of self imposed external pressure to keep us on track!
And they’ll be honored to be asked. They might actually also need you to help them out with something they have been struggling to get started and grateful you brought it up!
Just start. ONE action towards it today. That’s it.
Let me know how you go!
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