I frequently wonder what would’ve happened had I kept blogging back in 2016. I wonder where my life would’ve been or taken me. What decisions would’ve been different. I look back on so many opportunities (like this one) and think, what would’ve happened had I just stuck with it OR just started. A ton of ideas have constantly swarmed my mind over the years pertaining to how I could achieve financial freedom. And at the time, I didn’t even realize I was after financial freedom. I just knew I wanted to do something that gave me joy, wasn’t a drag to pull myself out of bed for in the morning, and still gave me flexibility in my use of time through the day, week and month. I remember reading in the book Atomic Habits about being in motion versus action; truth is I’ve spent a great amount of hours and years being in motion instead of actually acting. Which brought us here: just start. The human nature in us all frequently leaves us paralyzed to do anything. To start would mean thinking about failing. To begin would mean thinking about ending. To be successful would mean thinking about losing it all afterwards. That’s no way to live life, yet we all have (or are still) do it. To get moving in life, here are three quick tips:
Step 1: Write the vision, make it plain
This one is in the Bible. Often likely misconstrued but all the talk around vision boards and writing down goals really gets you clear on your priorities. Once your clear on the actual priority and goal, NOW you can begin the work of understanding what it takes to actually get there. Again, as reference, this really is just motion.
Step 2: Act on the plain vision
If you’re clear on where you want to be and understand at least 2 steps to get you there, now you just need to act. Even if it isn’t perfect, even if you don’t even fully understand what you’re doing. Getting in the arena (as BrenĂ© Brown would say) is going to catapult you in to learning and teaching yourself. And after that, it’s building on momentum. One act leads to another and another. Do the things you said you would do. Hold yourself to the fire of getting back up when you fall, but stay in the arena! Keep doing it. When it’s hard. When you’re tired. When you don’t see results. When you don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Keep acting.
Step 3: Check and Balance
Now that you know and proven to yourself that you can do hard things, things you had only imagined doing consistently, now is the time to check in with yourself and that initial vision. Understand what’s working, where you need support (and go get it, again action), and simply acknowledge that you’re making progress and keeping your word to YOURSELF, which is the best accomplishment ever.
So, I’m starting. I’ve started. Join me in whatever your thing is that you’ve put off for however long. Each day that passes, is another day that you’ll look back and say, “I should’ve” – trust me, I’ve been there. But again, it’s never too late to do that thing now. Just Start.
Yours Truly,
Crystal