“You know what you need to do, trust yourself enough to do it!”
We have all heard the term “paralysis by analysis.” It is a process people go through in constantly analyzing an idea, thought, or strategy before taking action. Eventually, the process becomes the action and no real progress is made. Ready, aim, aim…
In my most recent article I offered perspective on how big goals can have a tendency to create big expectations which generate huge expectations and burdens. The sheer size of a goal can be the very load that impedes accomplishment. Instead of generating a monstrous goal, focus on the vision of success and make committed progress toward that outcome. The momentum generated from consistently applied and relatively small accomplishments toward your vision will drive you, with confidence, to a very successful and desired outcome.
Generating the momentum necessary to get to this point starts with TRUST. In most cases, we already know what we need to do or to be doing. We know exactly what the first steps toward any successful outcome is. Instead of trusting that inner voice that reminds us what to do first, we start to think about that direction and advice. We analyze and examine that simply, easy step for validation and opportunity. And, we begin to explore alternative ideas or a measured sense of, after that step, what would be next. In this process, we unintentionally block our progress through our analytical thinking. This creates room for doubt, hesitation, and fear to enter into the conversation.
The key to getting started and staying on your path to accomplishment is to TRUST yourself. Trust that very first message your internal voice gives you. When you seek an answer listen to that very first, honest voice. It is your inner voice – the good one – offering you the best advice and direction you will ever receive. The solution, the action, and the next steps are right there. Respond to that voice by taking immediate action in that direction.
Last week I met with a very inspiring father, Barry Adkins. Barry lost his eighteen year old son following a night of binge drinking. As he was going through the process of dealing with the news of his son’s death and making plans for his funeral, Barry instinctively knew what he was going to do. He and his son talked often about building a ranch on property he owned in Montana and his son, Kevin, would move there and be the caretaker. Knowing his son always wanted to live in Montana, Barry knew that he had to take Kevin to Montana. Once that was decided, the rest was a series of simple internally driven steps. In the end, Barry walked from Chandler, AZ to Montana with Kevin’s ashes in his backpack. Along the way he shared his story with anyone – students, parents – that wanted to listen.
Kevin’s Last Walk is an inspiring story about a father’s love. Barry knew what he needed to do, he allowed himself to take the steps necessary to do it, and didn’t let the practical details get in his way. He simply took action in that direction. The outcome of that effort is an incredibly courageous and moving story about his love, his commitment, and his journey.
I began the 100Pedals journey as an unfiltered response to my quest to get control and clarity in my life. I asked myself a question and embraced the answer. I didn’t spend any time thinking it over. I trusted the progression of my thoughts and took action. The resulting journey has inspired me, touched others, and transformed my life. I have been blessed by the experience, the insights, and the outcome. None of this would have been possible if I had not simply trusted the answers I received.
The outcomes and successes in our life are not the result of creating or building incredibly big ideas or setting huge goals and then implementing them. They are the result of us trusting our instincts to do what we need to do and taking that first and subsequent step in the defined direction. You know what you need to do. All it takes is a little TRUST!
