By Janet Cropper
When a task feels hard, the longer you wait, the heavier it can get. Sometimes the way through is to step out into it.
One morning I looked out of the window and it was raining. The dog needed a walk and so did I. My first thought was, “Should I wait till later when the rain stops?”
Then I thought to myself that later usually means it never happens. So I put on my waterproof coat and went out.
The rain started light, then grew heavier. I kept walking to the gate I like to reach — my milestone. And guess what? It wasn’t that bad. In fact, it felt exhilarating. The thought of the rain had been far worse than the walk.
We all get rained on. We delay and wait for better weather while the task goes round and round in our minds. A conversation we need to have. An idea we want to explore. A decision we keep putting off.
Here are three lessons from a wet morning.
Decide
Delaying may feel safer, but “later” has a habit of never arriving. The longer you wait, the bigger the task can grow in your head.
Try this: Name one thing you’ve been putting off and give it a time today. You don’t have to finish everything. Decide when you will begin.
Dare
Whether it’s an aspiration, a career move or a new direction in life, you don’t need every answer before you begin. Confidence can grow as you take the first small steps.
Try this: Pick one aspiration you’ve been toying with in your mind. What is one small step you could take towards it this week?
Discover
Once you’re out there, you may find it’s not as bad as you thought. It may even be much better. I was glad I went out in the rain that morning.
Try this: When you’ve taken your step, compare how it felt with how you expected it to feel. Remember that next time you’re tempted to wait.
“Later usually means it never happens.”
When a task keeps going round in your mind, you’re running on the hamster wheel. Taking a small step gives you something new to work with.
What are you waiting to make a decision on, and what would help you take the first step today?
For more questions to help you move from reflection to action, explore the reader exercises that accompany The Hamster Who Danced with the Giant.