The Universe Responds to Action
The universe awaits your action. The world doesn't need one more great idea. If you are like me you probably have a hundred ideas a day for fixing the country, starting a business that would make millions, or how to get out of making dinner. There's an idea for my next blog series, Creative Ideas for Getting Out of Making Dinner.
Although we are fond of thinking of solutions, products, and making up stories it is all worthless without action. Everyone else is sitting around talking about their great ideas too. But you know whose name you know?
The person who did it.
Nike was really on to something there.
As we wind down this series on creating a life that will sustain your mind, body, and spirit for years to come we have to take the ideas out of our heads and put them into practice. Sure we can pray for wisdom and seek knowledge. We can read books by all the most successful people. We can watch motivational videos and attend seminars. We can read blogs and pin inspiring quotes.
Unless we act there is no sustainable change.
Listen, I'm a big believer in imagining the life you want. I think you should spend time visualizing meeting your goals and picturing what that is going to be like. Our minds are powerful tools that can help us create the lives we imagine. Our thinking, our intentions are the beginning of change. They are the beginning of any dream house or business or sculpted body. But too many of us stop with Post Its on the bathroom mirror and don't get sweaty doing the work. Yesterday's post was about concentrated focus.
But do not be fooled.
The Universe responds to action.
Now, how can we baby step that one?
1. Don't get overwhelmed by the enormity of the thing you are trying to accomplish. In the book, the $100 Start Up, several of the people interviewed said if they had known what all was required to start a business they wouldn't have done it.
2. Stop waiting until you have all the information. This one can be paralyzing because when will that be? Never, that's when. Analyzing things to death is a form of resistance. You want to have a reasonable amount of information and be able to make informed decisions. But beware information gathering becoming a way of never doing anything. It's like that old saying about waiting until the right time to have a baby. It's never going to be the right time. How much information do you need? Enough.
3. Start. Take actions today that will move you toward your goal. Pick up the phone. Send in the form. Shoot that person the email. Drink the water. Buy the running shoes. Throw out the junk food. Start the book or the blog. Open the account. Clean out the junk drawer. Post your art on Instagram. Buy the supplies. Make the thing. Nobody ever did anything who didn't start.
4. Finish. In Elizabeth Gilbert's latest book, Big Magic she says "Done is better than good" and reminds us that the world doesn't really need one more half finished manuscript in the bottom of a drawer somewhere. It might be that the thing you need to do has been started and abandoned for some reason. Pick it up again. Dust it off. Finish it.
5. Stop being so damn afraid all the time. This is the real thing, isn't it? So much of it comes down to fear. What will people think? What if I fail? What if everyone finds out I'm a fraud? What if I look silly? What if it changes friendships? Or the marriage? And perhaps the scariest thing of all--what if I succeed? What if? What if? What if?
Stop.
If we are going to ask that question, let's at least spin it in our favor.
What if you find the adventurous child you were before life knocked you around? Do you even remember that person? What if you find a strong toned body under those extra pounds? What if you find your life's work? Or passion? Or the love of your life? What if you surprise everyone by how fabulous you are? What if you surprise yourself? What if you find out there is power in being vulnerable? What if your courage inspires someone else?
What if?
If fear is a major issue for you then I recommend the book, Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway by Susan Jeffers.
Want sustainable change in your life that you can keep going over the months and years? These 5 things are necessary whether you are out to improve your health, renew your mind, or deepen your spiritual life. And if you want to write the great American novel or take up kickboxing, well, they work for that too.
XOXO
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You: Sustainable
Michelle is a beekeeper and master gardener who writes and speaks about Christian life, slow living, and practical home keeping.