Life Coaching Tip: You can’t just think about how you will accomplish your goals, you must actually DO something. You were not meant to spend your one and only precious life spinning out, researching, and contemplating your dreams for decades. Action is required to move forward!…
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I’m not a drummer.
I have an amazing drum set that I was extremely pumped about when my husband gave it to me last Christmas as a gift. And I have drum lesson modules I purchased right away, available to me anytime.
But still, I’m slightly below the “Hot Cross Buns” level of drumming.
I’ve always wanted to play the drums. I was never really excited about the piano lessons my mother had me take when I was a kid. But banging on the drums? Now that always sounded like a good time!
And so, when I finally got my drum set, I was eager to get started!
I watched all the modules, and I created a space in my schedule to practice every day. It was so much fun, and I loved that I was doing something primarily for my own pleasure.
But then, you know, I got busy…
Launching a program, on-boarding new clients, re-designing my website, spending time with family and friends.
And two puppies joined our household.
Trying to get them to sleep at night was like settling newborn babies. And our Ginger is a ball of anxiety. Banging on the drums would not be an option for a while, as I’m sure it would have sent her over the edge!
And so, my drum set sits in the basement, sadly gathering cobwebs. When I see it, I think, “I’ve got to get back to practicing!”
But I haven’t…yet.
Instead, I’ve watched all the lesson modules over-and-over again and more videos about drumming. Yes, I am an expert when it comes to watching other people play the drums!
I thought about this recently when on a consultation call with a prospective client. She told me that she loves reading books, listening to podcasts, and watching Tik-Tok videos about self-improvement, yet she hasn’t really made any progress towards her goals… in years!
She also said she loves purchasing new notebooks, planners, and elegant writing pens, hoping these would motivate her to get to work. However, although she has accumulated a pile of lavish planning tools, most remain unopened and unused.
And her story isn’t unique. I hear it a lot. Clients often tell me about the research and preparation they’ve done towards accomplishing their goals, yet they feel disappointed in themselves and confused about why they haven’t made any true headway.
Their brain then tells them their lack of progress means something has gone wrong and they need to “figure it out.” So then, they spend more time researching and gathering information, and never quite begin working on their actual goals.
Now from an outsider’s perspective, the solution is clear. To make progress, action is required. You can’t just research how to accomplish your goals, you must actually DO something!
Imagine that! If I want to be a drummer, then I must play the drums. Who knew? 🙂
Can you relate?
Do you watch videos and read about self-improvement, but still feel stuck in place? Is your brain telling you this means something is wrong with you, stirring up feelings of shame?
Are you a faithful reader of my weekly newsletters, but stop there?
Like, did you read about the gratitude exercises I suggested last week and think, “These would be cool to try some time,” and then never give it another thought?
If so, then obviously, I get it.
But you were not meant to spend your one and only precious life spinning out, researching, and contemplating your dreams for decades.
Imagine getting to the end of it all and saying, “Welp, I didn’t actually do any of the things I really wanted to do, but I sure know a lot about them.”
Yikes! My friend, please don’t let that happen to you!
The key is to take one step forward at a time. You don’t have to have it all figured out to do that.
As Martin Luther King Jr said: “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
For me, the first step is evident. I must make space in my schedule to practice my drumming for ten minutes each day. Ten little minutes, that’s all!
I can do that, and I will.
How about you?
What first step are you willing to take?
Today.
Seriously, do it today!