Slow and steady wins the race. It's the journey, not the destination. Good things take time. It's the climb. I just winced writing that. Normally Miley Cyrus lyrics aren't something I quote, but this one fell in line with mantras I've been repeating to myself since January. Each are reminders to take goal-approaching one step-and day-at a time.
I mentioned it once before, but it bears repeating before I continue. After setting my 20 goals for the new year, quite a few manifested within the first two weeks. It was very exciting! It felt like someone out there was a listening. Or, perhaps because they'd been written down, I was simply more aware and open to these opportunities. Either was acceptable to me. What wasn't was losing myself in trying to do too much all at once.
It's incredibly tempting. You think that making something happen is going to take a while, perhaps be rather difficult. Sometimes this is true. Other times, however, an opportunity falls right into your lap. It feels like this is your moment to take advantage of the opportunity and check off another box.
But consider this: what if the opportunity is taking advantage of you? Your time? Your appreciation for the lesson you're learning, the skill you're building, the goal you're chasing?
What...if...
What if your main takeaway is a sense of being overwhelmed and under enthused? That was a feeling I did not want associated with any of my 20. I've been there, done that, and I didn't like it, so I stepped back. It was difficult because I was conflicted by a sense of excitement. But taking a beat was the most valuable choice I could have made because it gave me perspective.
There are 12 months in a year. What was the rush? There was no urgent need to say 'yes' to everything, and a much more important reason to say 'no'. There are still 11 months left in 2020. I think it will all work out just fine.
One of the most inspiring entrepreneurs, Jamie O'Banion of Beauty Bio, had the quirkiest but most visual sentiment regarding the pace you set for yourself that I will now paraphrase. It resonated deeply with me at the time, and fits with where I am right now. It may not be for you, but the point is worth considering.
"You don't do everything all at once. You focus on the moment you're in, the hour, the day and do not give any extra mental space spinning on what the next month or year looks like. You take it one step-and one day-at a time. As I like to remind my team: how do you eat an elephant? Bite by bite. Focus on executing with exactness on what is immediately in front of you today."
And that, ladies and gents, is exactly what I'm going to do. I'll let things come as they do, reaching these goals in a manner that is not rushed, that is not guided by a deadline. It is my journey to get to these destinations, one I want to enjoy, and by focusing on one day at a time, appreciating each lesson and each moment as they bloom, I know I will.
Here's to month 2 of 2020 (also known as your lady's birthday month), and to goal 3 that has been in the works for a while. I'm delighted to share it with you all next week! Until then, don't forget to slow down, stop, and smell the roses. You might just miss them otherwise!
Comments