“Rome wasn’t built in a day” is a saying we’ve all heard and understand on a surface level; but to indulge in a true understanding of its value is a completely different thing. How many times have you thought about trying something new? The image plays out in your head and tugs on your heart, you get really excited and start to plan how and when it’s going to happen. Then, as quickly as the inspiration comes is as quickly as it goes…and all you’re left with is a little less faith and a lot more discouragement to even try the next time. I’d be embarrassed to showcase the long list of times this has happened to me, and I very often find in conversation with others that this is completely common among many people.
Is there something currently tugging at your soul that you keep ignoring? A new hobby? Pursuing a new career path? Learning a new language? Perfecting the art of cooking perhaps. Or finally taking the leap into starting your business. Whatever it is…take out a piece of paper right now and make a list of steps that you can take NOW where you are with whatever you have that you believe will get you to your goal.
“Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.”
-Henry Ford.
There isn’t a single thing you can’t achieve, but if you don’t plan for it nothing will happen. However big your “new thing” is, it can be broken down into small enough steps that make it easier to tackle. So start there, plan out what steps you need to take and stick to that plan to the best of your ability, but then…. let go of how it happens. Why?
I’ve beat myself up more times than I can count for not sticking to a particular plan all the way, failing, and internalizing that failure. Then because I internalize the failure (aka-make it about me) it’s a lot easier to say “it’ll never work” the next time the idea comes tugging back. So that is why its important to keep trying and having fun with all the ways that went wrong in the meantime. Every time you’re met with difficulty, think of it as nothing more than a test to see how bad you really want it. If something forces you to change your course of action… It’s okay: modify your plan. Modify your plan but never modify your goal. Focus on watering your goal daily and then allow it the time it needs to fully blossom. Keep yourself in a state of inspiration. Constantly play the image in your head that first excited you, and when the going gets tough remember…Good things take time, and the best probably take the longest.
To be honest, this has been my daily mantra as I get back into this world of blogging. Liveoutsidethebox.co was originally birthed in 2014, but like many others…discouragement set in and I took a break. A really loooong break. Like if this was a relationship I would have to get on my knees and pop the question now because two years is a long time to decide whether or not you’re in.
So I’ve decided I’m in. For life. Yep, LOTB (Liveoutsidethebox) is my Rome that I’m building a day at a time. A wonderful place I’m happy to share parts of my life with you. We’re gonna have tons of fun here you and I. I’ll be sharing things that I hope inspire you and bring you a little food for thought throughout your days; I hope you find among many things the inspiration and the courage to pursue your new great thing too. We’re in this together man…. let’s have a little fun with it.
Cheers, to new beginnings!
Xo,
Wendy
Such a strange thing to happen across something so relevant to my own path, while wandering off it into a blog as new as yours. Perhaps it’s not strange, and actually has more to do with how many of us there really are out there with blogs who died before their time. With blogs, I usually skim – your’s I read. I read it because I had a blog once. It was going to be about the scientific exploration of story, and ways to improve ourselves as creative writers by better understanding the audience’s social mind. I decided to create… Read more »
Rich, reading your comment was just as much inspiration to me as my post was to you! Thank you very much for taking the time to read! Let’s both stick to it, both our bottles contain messages that the right recipient will appreciate. I am excited you were inspired to venture out and try once again. I am looking forward to seeing what you have in store!