Here is a question from a student: “I’ve made a list of things I would like to accomplish. I was told making a list is a good idea and I was excited as the list started to unfold and grow. But now, I’m sad and disappointed that nothing is happening. Q: Is there something wrong with me when I say I can’t seem to get started on ANY of the things on my list!”
A: There is nothing wrong with you, EVER. Just like there’s nothing wrong with Charlie Brown! Having the best intentions to get started with on your list, is great. Let’s be happy … it’s a START! You have accomplished a lot already. Going through the thought process to compose a list and actually getting those thoughts on paper is a huge accomplishment. Give yourself credit, step #1 is done.
Now, the next step is, getting those things on the list to come alive with action. A friend and colleague, once reminded me; “we over estimate what we can do in a day and under estimate what we can do in a year.” Take small steps during any given day, never give up, and then see what unfolds after a month and then a YEAR, after a bunch of small daily steps!
I would never say there are too many things on the list. This is the creative first step. Make the list huge and do not leave anything off. Leaving things off the list after having inspiration in the form of thought is limiting. You want to feel that whatever you can dream we can achieve. From thought to thing. Endless possibilities are available to everyone always. THINK BIG … DREAM BIGGER!
One of the reasons we lack commitment or consistency is the feeling of overwhelm. Overwhelm is an inner sensation and an emotion. It literally means disorganization and confusion. This disorganization is in the mind, understandably. There is too much rattling around up there and needs to be put on paper somehow somewhere. This paper could be a journal or some form of calendar planner method. We are very enthusiastic and you DO want these results, but the tasks leading to those results seem like they are trivial, insignificant or with these tasks, will take a very long time to achieve the end results. Things like writing a book or learning a new language will take time and practice. Let’s apply what I call the one brick method. Here goes:
If you want to build a brick wall, you need many bricks and the bonding compound to adhere these bricks together. You originally see a pile of bricks but you want the wall. Where do you start? You start with ONE BRICK on the FIRST ROW. Grab a little bonding compound. Then go to the next brick and then the next until the first row is complete. Give yourself praise for finishing the first row.
Do you have a wall yet? NO, but you have a good first row and a foundation for the wall to come. It can be no other way. You cannot start at the top of the wall, or the fourth row. Nor can you have a faulty first row foundation. With regard to your projects and commitments, what is the smallest thing you can do well, TODAY, in 15-30 minutes that will make a small difference and a good start on your project? Can you repeat this task or add to what you have already done in 15 minutes increments the next day? Build on success and a good foundation and make it easy. It will be fun and you will look forward to it.
If a day comes and you just don’t have the motivation needed to continue, you have choices.
You can:
Sit still for a moment and consider the results you want. That might be motivation enough to get busy today.
Consider one of those smaller tasks to accomplish that might lead into the larger task(s) that you don’t have immediate motivation for.
Drop that task for today! NOT doing something toward the desired results is not a catastrophe.
It might give you the rest and relief you need to come back tomorrow with even more enthusiasm. When one rest day turns into two or three, you might have to consider a different strategy or re-evaluate the desired results.
In conclusion: You can give ourselves a lot of hope and promise when you realize you have control over our tasks and GOALS! You can create our environment, one brick at a time over days, weeks, months and yes, even years. I once had a student who said; “I’m XX number of years old and I don’t know where the time has gone. What have I done?” You don’t want to be in this situation later in life. Start now, make it easy and have fun with it. They key is to plan it out on paper as much as possible. And then execute what you have planned. Take control over the hours, and the days and weeks will fall into place!
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