Start from where you are...
There have been a few comments back from the last entry, saying it is all fine and dandy looking at making continual progress but it is so hard to start in the first place…
Usually it feels hard because we go too large and we are also not sure where we are starting from. To help get a perspective, we can use the concept of climbing a mountain...
The goal being to climb the mountain and get to the top. With few exceptions, virtually all that attempt the climb can probably get to the top but, and this is a capital BUT, the level of time and effort needed will vary from person to person.
Let us assume the person is able bodied and has the physical capacity to attempt the climb. Even then the ease with which the person gets to the top will depend greatly on whether they have experience of mountain climbing - this experience can apply to both physical and mental sides.
So to climb the mountain, you have to be:
Facing the right direction
Move towards the mountain
Start to climb the mountain
Continue to climb the mountain
Now, it should be obvious that a person will always fail the goal if they aren’t even facing the right direction. The point being, assess where you are in relation to your goal and then go from where you currently are.
The related comment/complaint is usually associated with how long it will take to get the goal achieved. Well, you have the rest of your life.
Imagined self dialogue:
Naive Me: “But that is going to take too long”
Wise Me: “Yes, but would you rather do something towards your goals or would you rather we come back in 5 years with not having made any progress?”
Naive Me: “aha, but what if I get hit by a bus tomorrow, how about my goals then?”
Wise Me: “Well, you still had the rest of your life to do something about your goal….”
Naive Me: “But…” Now a little confused.
Wise Me: “But what? Is it not true? Whether you live a day or a hundred years from now, you still have your whole life to move towards your goals.”
Obviously, if you knew today was going to be your last, you may be forgiven for reassessing your goals!!! But for most of us, the excuse means moving towards ones goals is going to take too long. Well, you have your remaining time to achieve them.
Takeaways
1) Assess where you are set your milestones from where you stand.
2) Do not fret too much about how long it will take, the key point is to start and then reassess as you go along.