Have you ever wanted to achieve a large goal, but you had no idea how you could possibly do it? Or perhaps you were facing a big life challenge that seemed so overwhelming that it was impossible to overcome it. Such experiences can be scary and intimidating, to say the least. You know that you’re not happy with where you are, and you can see clearly where you want to end up. But the distance between those two points seems like many thousands of miles and you have no idea how you can possibly get there.
During times like these, it can be helpful to remember that every goal and challenge that you face in life has many smaller parts that can be tackled first. As the saying goes, if you are attempting to move a mountain, you need only begin by carrying away small stones. Likewise, if you are undertaking a journey of a thousand miles, you need only take one step at a time in the right direction.
Rather than trying to lift and carry the entire mountain at once, or travel thousands of miles instantly, look for smaller tasks that you can accomplish. Ask yourself every day, “What is one small thing that I can do today to begin moving in the direction I want to go?” Then pause and wait for an insight. You might get an idea to call a certain person to ask for their assistance, or you might decide to do some research to get prepared for later phases of the plan. You might even feel inspired to lighten your load by organizing your space, removing clutter and donating items you no longer use, which can help you to feel clearer and more focused.
While small, manageable actions like these may not seem overly impressive, remember that real transformation happens when we change our smaller, daily habits.
As you continue along your journey, there may be brief periods of time where your progress seems to stall temporarily, and you might begin to doubt whether you will ever reach your destination. Rather than getting frustrated by these momentary delays, keep reminding yourself that it’s all part of the process.
Remember that even with a physical journey from one point to another, you may encounter a few roadblocks, traffic jams, and detours along the way. Trust that these delays do not signal the end of your journey. Keep reminding yourself that as long as you keep moving in the right direction, you are still on track and you will arrive at your destination.
Most importantly, make it a point to simply enjoy every part of the journey. Be grateful for the bursts of forward momentum, and surrender to the momentary delays, knowing that all of it is leading you to something that will be well worth it in the end.
