Yesterday I said to my Darling One, it’s time to up the ante. We need to raise our game. Time to stack the deck in our favour, maybe we’ll win the jackpot.
I wasn’t discussing “know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em” a la Kenny Rogers. In fact I wasn’t talking about playing poker or any other card game…not really my forte. I was referring to getting into a higher gear with regard to our spiritual or, laws of life, or consciousness…call them what you will…practices.
Great, he said. Have I mentioned he’s very Zen, my Darling One?
Step one completed. A decision made. That always feels so good.
Today he asked me, When do you want to get started? Next week?
I looked up from the book I was reading. Okay.
Well that was easy…
I do believe he was mocking me. Not much of a powerful desire you’ve got going there Elle.
Yep, definitely, mocking.
But he really had my attention. Because it was true. If I was willing to put it off till next week, then…one I didn’t really want it, or two that dreaded inertia had got me…yet again.
We do this all the time…have a great idea for expanding ourselves, our life, our world and somewhere between the idea and the doing, it fizzles out like some opened can of soda.
The thing to do is to begin. You might not want to right at this moment, I might not want to, but if we take those very first steps we gain a little momentum. As our friend Bob used to tell us, you only have to do something until you want to, then you don’t have to any more. I used to think he was nuts. But he was a simple truth teller.
Changes had to be made…
Make an appointment with yourself
Whatever it is, be it for exercise, or changing eating habits or getting organized, or a self improvement programme, set the time and day in your calendar. And, if I may make so bold, make it now! I like to mention this for my fellow ex-procrastinators out there.
Hold yourself accountable
Or have some zen like partner, such as mine to help with accountability. It makes it so much easier if you have to explain your excuses to someone other than you, who’s giving you those great excuses to begin with.
Start small
Rome wasn’t built in a day and nor will your new lifestyle be. But even for the greatest of great projects, someone just began. And so can you.
And if you’re thinking to yourself, who is this person and what has she done with Elle? She doesn’t do goals ~ well tada, here I am, I left the best till last.
Don’t do any of the above, until…
You’ve imagined your happy outcome and at the end of your experience feels as natural as night and day. Because who knows, your inner higher being may come up with a much better programme for you to follow. And if I were you, I’d listen. Believe me, the Divine you knows so much more than your ego. And it gets things done ooooh so much more easily if you can keep out of the way.
Encourage one another.
Love Elle.
xoxo
9 Comments
While deciding is always a big step, the critical one is taking the first action – actually starting.
Why does the whole thing usually seem so daunting until we actually DO something? Then we realize how fun the journey is going to be. That first action creates so much momentum.
Yes. Begin.
Many things have been in the works. Today I committed to begin to bring one thing at a time to completion.
The life of brilliance!
Wow Jt. Just love the ‘life of brilliance’. Keep us posted. I definitely want to know what’s going on. Not just because I’m a nosey parker…tho’ I am…but because I’m excited to hear how your life of brilliance is manifesting.
Hi Elle,
Sometimes I need to act immediately because otherwise it does seem to fade away. That is wonderful that you have a plan. Sounds like a good one!
I could definitely relate to this post, Elle! Thank you for being my reminder today to take action now rather than just talking and thinking about it. 🙂
I needed these reminders Elle! I’ve been working on a project that was going so well until I gave myself a goal to finish. I have now let go of that because it was a little impossible! so I like your tip of start small and imagining the happy outcome. Thanks!
Always giving me just what I need when I need it, Elle. Thanks.
I often feel this inertia! My husband has a good saying, “Touch it once.” He is very efficient and gets things done right away. When I follow his example, it’s amazing. I need to do it more often!!
#4 is THE place to start, right you are !
Without that, everything else is just commentary . . .
Thank you !
Write on, Elle !