What stops us from starting? Or what stops us from continuing? Oftentimes, continuing can be as much of a struggle as getting started. During this conversation, I want you to keep one thing in mind. Life is NOT a still photograph. It’s a motion picture that’s always moving. In other words, we cannot judge ourselves and our situation by this exact moment because life keeps on keeping on. And if we want to get off those sidelines and into the game, as in building the life we really want and the business we desire, then we have to remember that we are not the sum of who we are right this very second. On the other side of the next journey will emerge someone altogether different. And that someone will be a person who jumped in, got going, learned some lessons and made things happen. Remember the vertical wall analogy we’ve talked about before? If you haven’t already, be sure to listen to Episode 1 if you are identifying with this topic already.
I want you to imagine you are a football player and you’re standing on a football field. Okay, so picture this…you have practiced for months in the heat of summer and the season has finally begun. You are all dressed out and you’re so excited to finally get the game going. The stadium is full of cheering fans who are wearing your team’s colors and it’s go-time. The kick-off happens and now it’s time to call the next play. So, the starters (you are a starter) come together on the field in a huddle. The coach calls the play so that all of you know what to do next. You have studied these plays, you have watched the game tapes of the other team, so when the coach says “34 Dive”, you immediately know what to do. You all yell “let’s go” and then immediately, all of the offense, including you, run back to the sidelines and sit down on the bench. Nothing happens on the field. You went to all of the practices, you memorized all the plays, you are in tip-top shape, the play has been called in the huddle, but instead of snapping the ball and running the play, you just retreat to the sidelines. This is the BEST analogy of what it looks like when we plan, practice, prep but NEVER actually execute our ideas or our dreams. Ewwww, it’s such a downer, right? I bet you’ve even been a fan who was watching someone else take the field but then never actually finish the play. You feel sad for them, too, don’t you? So, let’s dive into why we might be getting stuck just before running the play and what we can do to change that!
Let’s look at these 3 types of people. Think about where you find yourself:
1 – Never Really Launch People – This is the person who has clarity on what you want, but you are hesitant to take action because you are an OVERTHINKER! This leads to stagnation and then you become fixated on what could go wrong vs what could go right. This puts you into a survival mode and it means that your fears are winning. For these people, we say – fortune sides with those who dare!
2 – Running on a Hamster Wheel People – This is the person who starts a lot of things. You have some really great ideas, and you feel fairly confident in those ideas. However, you have so many plates spinning that you really can’t complete one. And because of your inability to complete something, doubt creeps in. That self-doubt causes you to question if you have made any right decisions and you convince yourself that the grass is probably greener somewhere else. Which leads you to yet another idea – abandoning the ones you were focusing on. This person also tends to become bored with their ideas and then loses motivation because they forget why they got started in the first place. Remember, motivation can wane and that’s when we have to rely on SELF DISCIPLINE to keep pushing us forward.
3 – Destination vs. the Process People – This person has a really hard time sitting still!! They are the go-getters. They’re the ones who push themselves so incredibly hard and never give themselves a break. They are go, go, go all the time! These people even feel guilty if they stop working or focusing on that project or job. What happens here is that you begin to feel like you and your work are never enough. Productivity guilt leads to feelings of failure and inadequacy. This person never really experiences or gets the satisfaction of success. And the work loses its meaning for you because of the self-imposed demands you have placed on yourself.
Can you relate to any of these scenarios? Now, let’s come out of our huddle and get on the field – here’s how we can do it with actionable steps!
- Plan Your Small Goals
- Stop Waiting for Perfection
- Share Your Goals with Someone Else
- Commit to the Process, Not the Outcome
- Set Aside Dedicated Time
- Remember to Celebrate Your Small Wins
We all have dreams and aspirations, but often never take action and follow through with them. Don’t let this affect your entrepreneur journey. If you aren’t sure how to start or what you should do next to keep going, make a list of the to-do’s. And then prioritize them. Check out Episode 10: Sticky Note Brainstorm Session for some ideas on how to do this.
We’re repeating this mantra “Done is Better than Perfect” over and over lately. Starting something new does take work. And I’m not discounting the fact that you should make wise decisions, thoughtful plans, and consider possible outcomes, but I am saying that harping on every single minute detail does cost you valuable time and even money. When your plans are solid, it’s time to run the dang play! Do the thing you’ve worked for, even if you don’t have all the answers. You’ll figure it out as you go. That’s why you get 4 chances to go 10 yards. Even in football, you can’t meet your goals on the first try every time.
Make sure you get OUR Complimentary “FREE Beginners Roadmap to Getting Your Business Up & Running” You can find that download and more on our website at Bravelooksgoodonyou.com. Plus, we’d love to hear from you! Do you have a question for us? You can ask right HERE! We love hearing from you, plus that will give us great ideas for future podcasts! Until next time, remember, Brave looks good on you.
Links
Episode 1: Be Brave and Overcome Your Fears: How to Start the Business of Your Dreams