Not Good Enough

Why are you not planning? Why are you not exercising? Why are you not eating healthy? I bet it is because you think that you have to do it perfectly, and the plan you make has to include everything you need to do, or it is not good enough.

What if when you wanted to make a change, you started with one small thing? That’s what I recommend to clients. For example, if you want to get organized, start managing your time better, or begin a health journey, I suggest you start with one small change. And, often, I get pushback. You won’t think that small step or that one thing will make a difference. But if you asked for directions to a store and were headed in the wrong direction, I would tell you that you first needed to turn around and face the other direction, which would make total sense to you. 

So why do you get hemmed up thinking that one small step, or one small change, won’t change things? It is because you are looking at where you are now and where you want to end up. And your mind swirls with all of the things that have to change to get there. I picture your future life flashing before your eyes at 32x normal speed, showing you all the things that have to happen; that causes total overwhelm. (If you know me, you know I’m on a mission to eliminate that word from our vocabularies, but it fits here.) You want to make a change, and you have a goal in mind of where you want to go, and your brain kicks into overdrive on drama. 

Your brain likes predictable, easy, and safe. However, deciding to change and do things differently causes your brain to throw up all the doubt and scary thoughts. “That is not good enough.” “What if I fail?” “This will be hard.” “It will take too long.” “I don’t know how.” “I tried it before, and it didn’t work.” “What will people think of me?” All of these sneaky thoughts keep you from moving forward. 

So why not take just one bite of that elephant? If your destination is in the opposite direction, you have to turn around first! You can try walking backward, but it’ll be slow going, and you won’t see the obstacles. 

One step, one small change, is not scary. It will put you on the path to where you want to go. It is enough. It is the perfect action to get you to your goal. 

So turn around and face the other direction!