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Change: Learning that Every Tiny Step Counts

posted 20th March 2011    Written by: Juliana    CATEGORY: All Posts, Juliana, Life Lesson, Season 4

I’ve been making a ton of huge changes lately, as you’ve probably noticed.  But, lest I seem like some sort of superhero, I want to be clear about something:  These changes are coming neither suddenly nor with amazing ease.

Everyone wants a magic bullet. Everyone wants an “instant” solution.  Everyone wants to think of something they want to change and have it *poof* happen without much effort.  I’m just like everyone else…Except not really.

I’m a creature of habit, and I like my creature comforts.  Change can be pretty scary for me, even changes that are positive. So, though it might appear I’m just doing a complete Life Overhaul, I’m not.  That kind of thing would send me running for the hills in a heartbeat.  Every big change I’m making has to be broken into lots of much, much smaller steps in order for me to succeed. Otherwise, I’ll just quit before I even see any results.

The job I recently left?  I was there for 3 years, longer than any other job I’ve held. I was too comfortable there to quit suddenly, and thought about it for a long time before even talking to G. about it, and *then* waited another two months before putting on my Big Girl Panties and actually putting my notice in.  Even then, I was pretty scared.

The album I just released?  Has taken me two very long years to get together, with stops and starts all over the place. There were delays and life events that interfered, and plenty of opportunities for me to abandon the project.  I just did the  little bit at a time that I could do and tried not to let that stuff get me down.

The health changes I want to make?  I’ve been working out on and off for months with no change until now. I’ve tried high intensity workouts, high protein-low-whatever diets, gyms,pedometers, weights, blah blah blah.  Those were all great for a couple of weeks at a time, but then I’d fall off the wagon and be back to my old, unhealthy habits.  The success I’ve had recently has been without any of those things.  I’ve started very, very small… literally, with small steps.  The only change I’ve made so far is to try to go on a walk every day. I’m not counting mileage, or even noting how long I walk.  I’m just going for a walk.  The goal is small enough that I’m not intimidated by it, and so I’ve been able to stick to it.

Even this post had to be done in tiny pieces (with a few breaks) before it was finished…but I got there eventually!

I guess the lesson in this for me is that, even when it feels like I’m not doing much at all, I am getting just a few tiny steps closer to my goals. Big, sweeping changes generally don’t last long, but teeeeeeensy accomplishments that build on one another can lead to permanent changes.

So yes, here’s to Big Dreams, because they are worth having and striving for.  But here’s to putting one foot in front of the other, slowly, to get there.

 

[photo by Nicola Whittaker]

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Stratejoy Manifesto Part 1: Let the Inspiration Spark

posted 20th January 2009    Written by: Molly Mahar    CATEGORY: All Posts, Molly, Stratejoy the Biz, Tips & Tools

[Welcome to a 4 part Blog Post on the philosophy behind Stratejoy.  We'll hit Inspiration, Clarity, Accountability & Camaraderie over the next 2 weeks. Stay tuned & if you like--share with a friend or two!]

First a nod, a salute & whooping cheer for the inspirational speech delivered today.

“In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.”  -President Barack Obama

Are you ready to be that risk-taker?  That doer? To earn your greatness in the world?

First step:  Get Inspired

Before you can start any new task, especially one as grand as designing and living an authentic life, you’ll need a whole suitcase full of inspiration & motivation to carry you through.  These emotions are what give you the kick in the butt to get started, keep you going when the going gets tough & remind you why you’re striving.

Read more…

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