Category: Uncategorized (Page 141 of 158)

Incremental progress can become a real game-changer when it’s consistent and happening on a daily basis. However, this can be discouraging at times, as it would appear you are not making headway in the beginning. You may even stumble along journey, but that’s okay.

The key is to show up daily and put in the work. Worry more about engaging yourself in the task at hand and forming the habit than the results. We all learn at different speeds in a variety of ways. Putting the pressure of “outcomes” on yourself when moving forward in this way can be detrimental to your progress.

With each new passing day as you rise to the occasion, you will notice a small shift and even a bit of momentum – like a gentle hand on your back guiding you in the right direction. Use this to your benefit and stay on the path. At some point in time you may feel you have done enough – decide instead to stick with it and push through. It is worth it. If it’s a healthy habit: learning to play a musical instrument, exercise, writing, meditation, creating art, etc. you will benefit from doing it long into the future.

Just take one day at a time.

Too many times – especially in today’s busy world – I get distracted from what I’m intending to do. It can be as small as not going to bed in order to get enough restful sleep because I didn’t follow through or from losing focus on long-term goals.

Because I know who I am and how easy this can occur for me, I must always have tools and templates in place in order for me to get back on track with minimal down time. You will find lists, sticky note reminders and paragraphs of goals – both short range as well as long in my workplace for my benefit.

Don’t get me wrong, I make sure I get down time to rest, reflect and rejuvenate, but when I’m in work mode I don’t want to stray from the path of doing the tasks that are important for me to accomplish where I’m going.

Yep. Life ain’t about that, so don’t spend too much time dwelling on it. I heard a story that Carlos Castaneda used to take the money he made from his books and cashing the checks. Then he would fill the paper grocery bags full of bills and leave them in a phone booth in New York City. Whoever stumbled upon the money would find a surprise. I’m not sure if this story is true or not, but the point being, Carlos didn’t have much of an ego.

It’s even hard for me to digest that statement, but I believe it to be true. Once you begin to get caught up in the trophies, awards and victories, something shifts within you and now your motivation is different.

I would agree. As hard as it is to say, I’ve learned much more while I focus on the process as well as when I haven’t come out on top then the other way around. I’m okay with that and over the years have began to embrace the rough spots. I know by now that when I come out on the other side I will be better because of it.

Sure it’s nice to hoist that state, that medal – there is nothing wrong with that and I still compete today, but don’t make it the end all. Because there’s a whole lot of opportunities along the way to learn, grow and evolve.

No matter how hard I try, I can still find myself allowing my ego to get the best of me. It’s crazy what it can dupe you into believing: winning is everything, you are the most important thing in the world, you deserve everything, no one else matters, etc. It goes on and on and on.

Whenever I need to shake myself clear of that maniacal but necessary self-important “I”, I do my best to shift my focus to other people. Someone else. Anyone else who may need a little Love. And possibly ask myself “How may I serve?” That’s always a good place to start

This brings me to a place where my progress, status or well-being comes second to someone else in need. When I let go, I can gain the proper perspective of where I fit in this huge world, but more importantly where my ego fits. Generally, it fits in the back seat. After all, when I need him, I know exactly where to find him.

I believe it’s directly tied to faith. Because when we have faith we are able to see past the present moment – no matter what it looks like. And it can look pretty ugly at times. It gives us more resilience to push through.

This can be a challenge to say the least. After all, we are betting on something working out and there may be no signs of it coming close as we gaze out upon the landscape in front of us.

We must let go to the physical world and tap into the unseen. The invisible. Something NOT in front of us and hitch our trailer to this. This is faith.

I’ve heard it said that many POW’s survived their captivity because they had a belief that they needed to make it through their experience in order to tell their story to others. Unfortunately, others who believed they would be liberated by a certain date, didn’t survive as the reality of their release didn’t line up with their time table.

We all want guarantees prior to starting an ambitious endeavor. Unfortunately, there are none. But, there is faith.

Merely begin.