Yes! This is the time of year when we can’t help but think about what’s going to be different for the New Year ahead. Our goals sound so grandiose it scares us.
Here’s the classic same ole’ same ole’ example: We couldn’t lose any consistent weight to speak of for the past 12 months so we decide – again – that we will go to the gym, eat well and make it happen this time. Really.
Change is a journey. How on earth can we tackle it and get to the destination we envision? How do we move in a way that keeps us headed in the direction we intend?
What story keeps playing out in your life … and, if it’s not working for you, what can you do differently … this time?
One of the first things to figure out is what are you focusing on? We are most likely to achieve our goal when we focus not on our fear of failure but rather a vision of our success.™
At 50 years old, I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with my two sisters. In hindsight (and documented by my journal) I realize that I kept focusing on my disbelief. My sisters and I struggled with the physical aspect of the climb and the altitude. An even bigger problem was the fear-based focus on all the reasons we probably wouldn’t make it.
We didn’t make it. Well, we got to 15,000 feet, quite a feat in itself – but, the big “but” is that we did not get to where we really wanted to be. That’s not to say we didn’t enjoy the process and the journey — it’s just that most of us can’t help ourselves — we want to reach the destination of our dreams.
Ten years later, armed with higher thinking, an empowered belief system and the right actions each and every day; we made it to the very peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro’s Uhuru Peak at 19,342 feet on an 8 day trek.
Whatever your mountain is called, you are most likely to achieve your goal when you focus not on your fear of failure but rather on a vision of your success. Sure it takes more than your vision, however, that’s at least your very first step: the one right in front of you. Leave yesterday’s fears and hesitation behind, and try not to worry about tomorrow’s unknowns.
Choose to be an explorer and a designer! You can craft the life you want to have. How badly do you want it? Who are you willing to be to have it? And, what are you willing to do to get there? People talk about eating the proverbial elephant. Is it really possible to eat the elephant? Yes, it’s essentially the same answer as above, one bite at a time.
I found out that one small doable step after one small doable step, after one small doable step makes an amazing difference to where I find myself at the end of any day, week, month or year.
So that’s one small, doable hint at how you can start this New Year. Who do you want to be is a great question and, what do you really want?
Now, start walking.
