I think transitioning to our new home has been hardest on our dog Bella. She really struggles with our steps. I’m not sure if they are too steep, or the hardwood flooring makes her feel like she’s going to slip, or if it’s our open concept stairwell that was popular in the late 70’s/early 80’s when the house was built. Regardless, she gets distressed. But interestingly enough, it’s only the first step. She whines and cries, puts a foot down and then backs up while we are encouraging her from downstairs that she can do it! Once she finally takes the first step though, she’s golden the rest of the way down. I told her last night, after having to walk down the stairs with her, that taking that first step is really tough for a lot of us.
I get overwhelmed easily. My life revolves around breaking up even the easiest tasks into smaller steps, otherwise I’ll never get it done. Everything has a “first step” to see how I feel and if I can handle the rest. Exercising means put on your work out clothes and see how you feel. Laundry means just pick up 10 items and fold and put them away and decide if you’re in the mood. Cleaning my house means clean one room and see if I feel like doing the rest. Grocery shopping means just go get what you need for tonight and while you’re there, maybe you’ll feel like getting it all. Eating healthy means just eating a decent breakfast and then I’ll see if I’m still on board by lunchtime. These are trivial examples but you get my drift. What I find is that if I can make myself take the first step, the rest doesn’t seem so hard. I get outside to walk, the laundry gets done and my house gets cleaned, we actually have groceries for more that one meal, and my healthy eating lasts more than one day.
Although that first step may be the hardest, it’s also the most important in doing anything in life. So how do we get the courage to take that first step? Especially when it comes to big things; our careers, our relationships, and our dreams. I believe first and foremost it takes faith. It’s about your faith being greater than your fear. As some of you read in my last post, I’m obsessed with Jen Sincero right now. She says in her book, You Are a Badass, that “Faith smothers your fear of the unknown. Faith allows you to take risks. Faith is the stuff of “leap and the net will appear.” Faith is your best buddy when you’re scared shitless.” It also takes realizing that even the smallest step in the right direction is still a step in the right direction! Focus on one step at a time and if you continue to do that, forward movement will create more forward movement.
Taking that first step is scary. It’s stressful, it can feel awkward or overwhelming, it can even physically hurt. But when we step out of our comfort zone and take it, most of the time we are golden too. I think we are all a lot like Bella. We just need someone to encourage us along the way, tell us it’s going to be okay, and be there at the end of the staircase to celebrate with us or catch us if we slip and fall. I have faith Bella will eventually master our stairs and I have faith in each of you as well! You can do it, one small step at a time! xo
I get overwhelmed easily. My life revolves around breaking up even the easiest tasks into smaller steps, otherwise I’ll never get it done. Everything has a “first step” to see how I feel and if I can handle the rest. Exercising means put on your work out clothes and see how you feel. Laundry means just pick up 10 items and fold and put them away and decide if you’re in the mood. Cleaning my house means clean one room and see if I feel like doing the rest. Grocery shopping means just go get what you need for tonight and while you’re there, maybe you’ll feel like getting it all. Eating healthy means just eating a decent breakfast and then I’ll see if I’m still on board by lunchtime. These are trivial examples but you get my drift. What I find is that if I can make myself take the first step, the rest doesn’t seem so hard. I get outside to walk, the laundry gets done and my house gets cleaned, we actually have groceries for more that one meal, and my healthy eating lasts more than one day.
Although that first step may be the hardest, it’s also the most important in doing anything in life. So how do we get the courage to take that first step? Especially when it comes to big things; our careers, our relationships, and our dreams. I believe first and foremost it takes faith. It’s about your faith being greater than your fear. As some of you read in my last post, I’m obsessed with Jen Sincero right now. She says in her book, You Are a Badass, that “Faith smothers your fear of the unknown. Faith allows you to take risks. Faith is the stuff of “leap and the net will appear.” Faith is your best buddy when you’re scared shitless.” It also takes realizing that even the smallest step in the right direction is still a step in the right direction! Focus on one step at a time and if you continue to do that, forward movement will create more forward movement.
Taking that first step is scary. It’s stressful, it can feel awkward or overwhelming, it can even physically hurt. But when we step out of our comfort zone and take it, most of the time we are golden too. I think we are all a lot like Bella. We just need someone to encourage us along the way, tell us it’s going to be okay, and be there at the end of the staircase to celebrate with us or catch us if we slip and fall. I have faith Bella will eventually master our stairs and I have faith in each of you as well! You can do it, one small step at a time! xo
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