Yes, this is about that thing you’ve been putting off. Yes, you are doing so many great things and that is marvelous. You look like quite the accomplished overachiever from the outside. People wonder how you do so many of the great things you do. Everyone thinks you have it all together. They don’t see that thing you have not done yet. You know better.
I don’t believe in coincidences. I believe you are reading this because you are ready to see this message. I trust you to know what this moment is challenging you to do. Or should I say what you are finally ready to do.
That thing you’ve been putting off is right there. It’s just sitting there on your to do list. You’ve been acting as if one day you’re going to start. You may have dutifully transferred it from one task list to another periodically saying well-intentioned things about your commitment to get it done – soon…
The truth is, you are avoiding it. Maybe it isn’t fun. Maybe you don’t know where to start. Maybe it is something that frightens you in a way that you just don’t want to admit. Yes, I know it can be hard for the courageous, the bold, the adventurous, and the highly accomplished to admit that something terrifies you. Maybe you don’t really know how to do it, and you haven’t even tried to figure it out.
So there you are – stuck. Each time you are reminded of that thing it mocks you. It calls you weak. It taunts you. It makes you cringe. It silently punks you in front of others, and makes you think about all the other people who have done it with no issues whatsoever. You hear that voice inside your head that says “Yeah, right! You’re never really gonna do that thing.”
Well my friend, today is your day. Soon is right now. Later has come. This is your moment! Now you have these 5 amazing ways to finally do that thing you have not done yet:
1. Nevermind the Fear; Let It Be
I know. Slow down. Breathe. Stay with me. You might be struggling to overcome that fear. No, forget that. What if you let yourself be afraid? Seriously, admit it to yourself. “I’m afraid to do _________” Did you feel that? Say it again. Now tell your anxiety that even though you are afraid, you are now ready, willing, and able to do move forward anyway. Just let it be. Even if you successfully push down the fear in this moment, it will only return at the worst possible time. You don’t need to be paralyzed with fear and panic. Just work with it. It’s okay to be afraid. It happens to the best of us. Don’t even focus on the fear. Let is be what it is. Turn your focus to Audre Lorde said
“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”
Just allow yourself to be afraid while you move to the next step.
2. Stop Beating Yourself Up About It
It’s time to stop thinking about what you should’ve done, what you could’ve done by now, and how long you have put off doing this thing. None of that matters right now. Perhaps when you are finished, you can invite yourself to sit down and fully analyze what took you so long. If that’s what gives you kicks, than schedule some time for that later. For now, just lay all the negative criticism and self-depreciating finger pointing aside. It is what it is. Take a deep cleansing breath. Let go of all that tension and anger that you were directing toward yourself. Accept that this is exactly where you are AND this is exactly where you are meant to be in this moment. Allow yourself to fully come into this present moment. Right now, you are starting and that’s what matters most in this moment.
3. Give Yourself Permission to Take a Small, Teeny-Tiny, Baby Step Forward
Yes, I know. You might be a big strapping brave guy. So what. You might be the leader. You might be the one everyone else leans on for motivation and support. Yeah this is not about anyone else but you. No judgment, no harsh words, put down the overachiever reflex for just a moment. You are not focused on the final step or the third step or the second step. What is the first thing you need to do in order to begin doing that thing you have not done? What does it make sense to do from here? Trust yourself. One step.
Just the first step. No more overwhelm. Just the first step. Identify it and take it now.
4. Congratulate Yourself for Taking the First Step
I know you think that seems petty and maybe a bit foolish. Your overachiever self is back and he really wants to call you a name for even considering patting yourself on the back. Do it anyway. Seriously, if your celebration is nothing more that saying out loud that you did it and you are proud of yourself – do it. Congratulate yourself for taking that first step. That thing you haven’t done had you so stuck for a long time. Can’t we just acknowledge that you are moving now? It overwhelmed you just thinking about getting it done. You avoided it for weeks, months, maybe even years. Now you have started down the road to completion and that in itself is a huge accomplishment no matter how small the step was. You are congratulating yourself for the progress you made, progress that –before today- you haven’t been able to bring yourself to do. That’s huge. Congratulations!
5. Go Back to Step One and Repeat with the Next Step
Here’s the secret to keep moving without allowing yourself to get stuck, or letting the fear overtake you again. Repeat this entire sequence for each step. If you follow this sequence for each step in the process – yes, including the celebration- you will be able to overcome your inner doubts, fears, and resistance and get this thing done. You’re thinking too much about what could go wrong, so focus on what you are doing instead. Whatever it is that you need to do, you are more than capable of getting it done. Trust the guidance you’re already giving yourself. Preoccupy your mind with these productive instructions. Follow each one of these steps over, and over, and over, and over again until the thing you haven’t done yet is finally completed.
Try it. Leave a comment to share know how it works for you. How was this helpful? Did I miss anything? If you’re open to following these steps, you’ll surprise yourself with how much easier it becomes to finally do that thing you haven’t done. So what are you waiting for? Get busy!
