We are incredible beings with the propensity for multitasking in the way we are capable of running a home, relationship and business.
But there’s one aspect we’re all wildly guilty of, and this is procrastinating, making excuses and leaving aspirations firmly on the back burner for one day, maybe someday.
The excuses are tenfold and take a life of their own. Once the kids leave home, once you’re more financially secure, when your partner needs you less, when you have more time (and a multitude of other excuses).
What if you could kick-start your life or business, despite kids, partners or even money issues?
It’s almost 2019, possibly years after you said you would expand your business, write that book, start public speaking, or even take up a new hobby. I’m not asking you to throw in the towel, abandon your home and set up home in an ashram in India.
Any change, when we project or imagine doing them in the future become distorted and take on overwhelming proportions. When propelling yourself in the future, you might imagine the worst scenario.
No wonder you procrastinate and fail to act.
What if you could start small?
Not everything is about making a huge change overnight. I believe that most changes happen over time by paying daily attention to what you want and this can create the incremental changes you desire. It simply starts with taking action, however small.
I often notice that my coaching clients are weighed down with overwhelm each time they reflect on their 5 or 10-year plan. It feels heavy, locked in and lacks creativity, flow and movement. The way we overcome this is by starting small. Focusing on this week. One week at a time life is created.
This abolishes the overwhelm, the weight and the heaviness of having to keep to a larger plan. Who knows in any event what opportunities will come in 6 months and what changes you might have to overcome during this time.
It’s important however to examine the terrain from the offset, to tell the truth about where your life currently stands. This is the only way that you can get from where you are to where you want to be.
Ask yourself, which aspect of my life or business is crying out for change?
What would I be doing differently?
What would this do for me?
What would be the best part?
Be as specific as you can and keep refining it.
There are 3 key areas that need to become more aligned for the above to get into motion:
Physiology
From the moment you awaken, get your body and your spirit in motion. Practice gratitude and visualize what you’ll create that day, as this will teach you the art of leadership and creation. I actually go for a run, power walk or even dance in the morning if it’s raining (British weather has allowed me to be more creative). The aim is to get your body out of a stagnant and hopeless place and into movement, fun and possibility.
Language
The words you use to speak about your life or to explain your stories often shows your limiting beliefs. You need to tell a different story using different words by using the language of expansion and possibility. Change your story, change your life.
Focus
What you focus on becomes your perceived reality. This is the lens by which you look through. Remember when you wanted that Mini Cooper, and everywhere you looked everyone seemed to have one? Works the same with your mind, if you perceive negative, that’s all you will see.
Life is about progression, growing and being more of who you are in order that you can serve others. Procrastinating and holding back is simply pulling away from sharing the best of who you are and what you could offer to the world.
Marianne Williams encapsulates this beautifully when she says:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world.
Joy and happiness do not arise from acquiring, it comes from becoming and from making a difference to others. We have all observed as those from the most challenging backgrounds have done this in the most incredible ways.
No amount of obstacles held them back. It might be time for you to let go of the excuses that have held you back. This might actually be the time to quit playing small and finally step into who you were meant to be.