We all strive to take positive steps forward in whatever we are trying to achieve. Sometimes, however, we fall back into old habits that sabotage our efforts or we fail to recognize that we’ve moved forward because the gains we see are trivial.
The important thing to recognize is that the alternative is moving backwards, and relative to that, any forward progress is a truly positive thing.
- Check an activity off your list as done.
- Meet someone new or try something you’ve never tried and assess if he/she/it works for you or if you should move on.
- Increase your chances of succeeding versus sitting at home rearranging your rabbit foot collection :-).
Consider the experience Glen and I had when first beginning to market our books and Life Leaps program. South Florida’s WPLG ABC-TV wanted to feature our book, Fall in Love Again, Every Day.
The book, is a glimpse into our radical sabbatical and showcases the tool that pulled us out of what most people conclude is “irreconcilable differences.” We were thrilled with the prospect.
I planned, prepped, and prepared for days. But on the morning of our interview, I got a message from the reporter saying that her cameraman had called in sick. She asked if we could stand by until 9 a.m.
Crestfallen, I knew that the drive to the interview was at least an hour and a half away. We were scheduled to be interviewed at 10:45am. Should we get ready, wait, give up?
Then at 9:00 a.m., I received another message from the reporter saying that she still didn’t have a new cameraman, but that she would keep us posted. At that point, I was beginning to feel deflated. Was this incredible opportunity slipping away?
Then Glen looked at me and said, “Forward progress only.”
It was our New Year’s resolution, and boy did that mutual promise come in handy in that moment.
We immediately began getting dressed and headed to the studio. Worst-case scenario, we’d get a call saying the interview was officially canceled, and we’d take each other out for a fantastic lunch.
Life is all about showing up.
As Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “Never look back unless you are planning to go that way.”
So ask yourself:
- How are you showing up in life—at work, in relationships, spiritually, and mentally?
- Do you undervalue yourself, give up, doubt, self-sabotage, compete, or push too hard?
- If you’re showing up, do you do it consistently everywhere in your life?
Think about it. Make a list and write down your answers. And think about this: When you show up, you enhance your experience, which makes you want to show up next time, and the next time, and the next . . . A domino effect is triggered and feeds itself!
Here’s to moving forward.
This article originally appeared on Psychology Today Aug 30, 2013
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