Start Where You Are and Accomplish the Impossible!
“A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step” - Chinese Proverb
Have you ever been at a large shopping mall, and you can’t find the store you are looking for? What do you do? You can walk around the whole mall until you find your store, or you can locate the map of the mall that says “YOU ARE HERE” with an arrow pointing to your current location. Once you know where you are at, you can start heading in the direction of where your store is located.
What can we learn from this? No matter your situation, you can always create a better tomorrow by evaluating where you are today and figuring out what you have available to you now to get you to where you want to go. It starts with taking the first step…. before everything falls into place! For example, if you want to be a physician, you know it will take many years of attending school, residencies, money and time. You may not even know how you are going to pay for all of it, but you start your dream by taking the first class. By taking one step at a time with hard work, tenacity and trusting the process, you will find that nothing will stop you from living the life you desire.
Start today, right where you are, with what you have... it may seem small and insignificant or even impossible.... but it will work! It starts with you, right here, right now.
Do you remember the show MacGyver (whether the original series or the remake)? His character taught me anything is possible if you are creative and resourceful enough. He could take chewing gum, a paper clip and some duct tape and get himself out of a predicament. He used what was around him to WORK FOR him.
Start Where You Are.
The past is filled with memories and lessons which can be a wonderful tool to help shape your tomorrow. However, if it is holding you back with regrets, mistakes, or the “I should have,” “I could have,” then it is time to take a step forward. No matter your past, say “I am where I am” because the past brought me to where I am today. Don’t despise small beginnings.
Use What You Have.
You need to keep an open mind, be aware of your surroundings, and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves to you every day. You may not always have access to “paperclips and duct tape” like MacGyver, but with a little ingenuity, you can move forward in any situation. Draw from your experiences, think creatively, and trust your instincts.
What Can You Do Today?
Do you trust the process? I had to learn this tool years ago when things were not moving as fast as I wanted. I had to learn to trust my everyday steps and decisions and believe the results would follow. Think about one thing you can do today to move you in the direction of where you want to go.
KISS (Keep It Simple).
When you find yourself feeling frustrated, anxious, confused, stressed or overthinking the next step…. then KISS. When I feel overwhelmed, I hit PAUSE, STEP BACK and EVALUATE and then … KISS. Simplify!
Kick Perfection to the Road.
Don’t let perfection keep you from moving forward. It won’t be perfect… because you are not perfect (but you have a perfect heart!). We hold back from moving forward because we think we have to have it all figured out, know every step and its outcomes. Start where you are, with what you have and lean into each step of progress to create the momentum and motivation you need to keep going.
It is the Right Time.
Tomorrow will always look better to start that diet, take that class or step out of your comfort zone. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you know you can do today. Don’t fool yourself into believing that a later time will be more favorable and opportune for your pursuits. If you start today, you will be that much closer to whatever it is you want to do by this time next year. You will be closer to fulfilling or having fully achieved your goals. Don’t procrastinate; start today!
Don’t be averse to starting where you are, using whatever you have, and doing whatever you can. The secret to what you want to accomplish in your life is getting started right where you are at. Don’t be ashamed of small beginnings…they eventually lead to great results.
CALL TO ACTION
If you want to accomplish anything in your life, you have to be willing to start where you are and with what you have. I know, I keep saying that phrase, but it is so true. Allow yourself to take the first step and build upon it.
Where are you today? Where do you want to be? What resources can you tap into today?
My Courageous Friend … I want to challenge you this week as you pursue your passions, dreams, and goals... be like MacGyver... look AROUND and WITHIN yourself at your one-of-a-kind talents, creativity, wisdom, experiences, dreams, visions….and step into them!
