Podcast: Play in new window | Download

“If you risk nothing, then you risk everything.”     -Geena Davis

“I could join a home-based business….BUT most of them are scams.” “I could get my real estate license…BUT there’s too much competition where I live.” “I could get a real job…BUT I’d make less than I now get from welfare.” “I could teach swimming…BUT I’d have to first get an operation I need to correct a muscular imbalance.” “I could get my drivers license to open up more options….BUT what’s the point, since I can’t afford a car.”

These were the highpoints of a recent discussion with someone who called me seeking guidance. Interestingly, the person I was talking with had a great spirit; joyful, hopeful and willing. However, she was succumbing to the paralysis of analysis. Every starting point she envisioned came with a set of disempowering or exhausting images of what stood in the way.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been there myself. It’s so easy to jump from an idea to an argument against it, and then to start all over with another idea. Eventually, what you have are dozens of good ideas accompanied by dozens of reasons those ideas won’t work.

What’s the solution? Pick one idea. Stick with it. Turn the COULDS into WILLS, the BUTS into ANDS, and liberally add YETS. “I WILL teach swimming…AND first I need that operation.” “I WILL get my drivers license AND I can’t afford a car…YET.”

I’ve collected dozens of good ideas that I’ve talked myself out of. But, when I take my own advice, I’m much more prone to applying laser focus to ONE idea, using language in a way that empowers me to stay in action, and benefiting from the simple magic of moving towards a desired goal.

PS. I’VE JUST BEEN ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN A TELESUMMIT DESIGNED TO TEACH MOM’S HOW TO APPLY MINDFULNESS STRATEGIES TO PARENTING, LIFE AND SUCCESS. WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THAT? LET ME KNOW!

Word count: 331