The Inner Path: Get Out Of Your Own Way!

Nothing strengthens the judgment and quickens the conscience like individual responsibility.
~
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
 
Do you ever catch yourself going on and on about all the blunders others around you make.....how your friend is always late to work, your neighbor drinks too much, your cousin is too easy on his kids, your micro-managing boss..... but if someone hands you a criticism, you once again react with surprise, anger, and indignation.  Part of taking responsibility for our own lives involves figuring out where and how we get in our own way of making progress toward our goals. Seeing ourselves objectively, free of emotion and prejudices, however, is something most of us find extremely difficult...."Me? I certainly don’t do that!"  I know you want to concentrate and capitalize on your strengths, and don't get me wrong, I'm all for that, but I think many people refuse to be objective with themselves most of the time. But it does help once in awhile to take a good look at exactly what you're doing to move yourself forward, and what you might be doing to hold yourself back, in other words....you could be in your own way.  Here are three common ways I think you can get in your own way... slowing our progress toward your goals and what to do to get out of your way.

  1. Love the idea... not so much the real thing~Many people say they want to be business owners...never write a business plan, some writers....but never write everyday, or a musician, but never practice their instruments everyday.  However, if you have a dream you really want to accomplish, be sure you love the "every day" part as well as the end-result part....the journey, as well as the destination.
  2. Self-doubt~ Everyone has self-doubt, so no one is alone, especially when you start a new venture in life. The only solution is to take action, again and again and again. Just remember, only by doing and making mistakes will you learn and move forward...and feel more confident in yourself. I like to remember a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King which says "Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."
  3. Procrastination~ Stick to your plan, no matter what. Sometimes procrastination can show up in so many forms; you have something else to do, over schedule projects, convince yourself you're too tired, afraid you'll fail....whatever the disguise procrastination is a delay in progress...you are in your way, so schedule time for your activity and stick to it...no matter what.
I've seen many times where people were delusional about their strengths and ignore areas where changes could make a big difference. To raise your chances of success, find some time to objectively look at your habits and routines to see where you might benefit from some changes. Don't just talk the talk and not take action, because when you're doing a lot of talking, you’re not doing much doing. Most people understand that if you keep doing the same thing, you’re going to keep getting the same result, so if you’re serious about accomplishing your dreams and goals, just get yourself out of your way and put your energy into real action.

2 comments:

  1. Very sound advice. I know I have been known to spin my wheels at times instead of moving forward.

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