So! Filled with excitement and anticipation, I sat down to write my very first blog today . . .
. . . And . . .
Yup, that's how it went.
I became so caught up in my expectations of what I wanted it to be and planning every detail in advance, that I couldn't write anything. I was stuck in analysis paralysis.
Look at your own life. How many great ideas have you had that never got off the ground, because the plan or the first draft wasn't perfect? Sometimes, in our effort to get it right the first time and plan for every possible contingency, we never actually begin. Instead we analyse every possible branch of the decision tree and become paralysed by the "What if" game. What if I fail? What if I look stupid? What if nobody reads my blog? Well, what if everything turns out better than I ever could have imagined possible?
Lao Tzu had it right in the sixth century BC. "The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step." That's not to downplay the work of the next two and a half million steps, but there's an energy and momentum present when we're in action that supports us when we overcome the initial inertia. It's Newton's first law of motion, loosely translated: Things at rest want to stay at rest, and things in motion want to stay in motion.
4 Questions to Get You into Motion
What is the positive "What if"? What are the costs of delaying? What are the benefits of beginning now? What is the first step?
At a certain point, it's important to simply start, regardless of imagined outcome, initial quality or how 'ready' you feel. Consider beginning before you feel completely ready; prepare to feel slightly uncomfortable for a while. Chances are, it won't be as bad or as hard or as daunting as you thought. After all, look at the amazing things you have accomplished in your life so far.
In the spirit of getting into motion and in keeping with any good coaching relationship, there is an invitation to forward your action (sometimes known as homework).
The Invitation
Think about a project or goal you've been considering. What will achieving this goal bring into your life? Determine the first step. Set a deadline to accomplish it. Consider a coach to support you and hold you accountable. Begin.
(Note: I would love to hear your feedback and progress. Click on 'Comments' below to add yours.)
Tara McDonough Tara McDonough, CPCC, is the owner of What’s Possible? an international coaching company which helps people expand and achieve their vision of what is possible. There is a place in coaching for wild imagining, as well as concrete planning, a time for in-depth discussion followed by bold action. Full Profile & Contact Information...
Tanya Geisler, CPCC
Life Coach, Board of Your Life Program Facilitator...and more to come
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