One Step

The reasons programs like the 12-step program are so powerful is because they teach people to stop trying to jump from A to Z, and to content themselves with taking just one step at a time.

ALL change happens by taking one step at a time.

And NO change happens when you don't take any steps.

If you think, think, think about doing something, talk, talk, talk about something, it still won't get done - ever - change is not initiated on the level of thought or spoken word, it is initiated on the level of taking action: take one step and you have begun the process of change.

Now as the New Year approaches, try for some restraint! Instead of expecting yourself to perform miracles in the wee hours of the morning after you go to sleep on New Year's Eve by losing 50 pounds on the spot, landing the perfect job, and marrying the perfect partner, (and so on) before you awake on New Year's Day, just stop. Give yourself the whole year, and chunk it down into bites that are possible.
- I will contact 5 new potential clients a month via phone, with a followup letter and an email (NOT: I will grow my business to making millions this year)
- I will lost 5 punds a month (NOT: I will lose 100 pounds by Easter)
- I will do one thing different each week (NOT: I will do something different every weekend)
- I will take lessons on the piano (NOT: I will learn to play the piano)

The difference is phenomenal because in the larger abstract pictures you lose yourself. It takes years to learn an instrument. Starting out with a huge abstract goal of "learning to play piano" will have you frustrated when you aren't playing sonatas after your first lesson. Setting unrealistic goals of losing 100 pound sin 12 weeks is enough to make you gain at least 50 more. Desiring a different life but not staying true to your own authenticity by forcing rather than allowing your creativity to peak out of you is going to land you in society that does not feed your soul.

In order to get from here to the bathroom, from here to the kitchen, from here to work, from here to wherever you are going - you are absolutely going to be putting one foot in front of the other. Resist it, hate it and try to rush it and failure ensues. Love it, appreciate it, flow with it and it will be a joyous process of change.

Go for it - one step at a time.

Blessings.
- Darshan

© 2008 Darshan F Jessop