All of my inspiration tends to come from a great quote, and this week is no different. Tell me if this speaks to you too:
You only have 2 choices: Make Progress or Make Excuses
Wow, right?! That statement can be a bit of tough love or kick in the gut if you’re feeling stuck in life. Often when we’re feeling like our life is missing something or we’re plain unhappy, we find it easiest to allow these thoughts to become a fact.
But the fact is that you can change your circumstances (within reason) any time you’re ready. And we think that logically we’re always ready to be happier. But the truth is that taking steps towards improving your life takes work, and the reality of that is that when we are down and out we just want to be lazy and accept our situation.
So here’s the deal. Whatever you’re wishing, hoping, dreaming, pining for can be possible for you … if you allow it to be. The 2 choices you have every day:
- Make progress towards these thoughts and dreams becoming a reality.
OR - Make excuses for why they never can be.
This quote from Henry Ford keeps coming up in books I’m reading lately, and it’s so powerful and totally applicable here:
Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t — you’re right.
Battling your thoughts is the biggest struggle in achieving your dreams. At least, that’s what I’ve found.
I can find a million excuses for why something I want can’t be mine. But the question to ask is: Are these thoughts flying through my brain ABSOLUTELY, DEFINITELY going to happen? For just about every excuse I can think of … the answer is nope!
Let that sit with you for a minute. What are your biggest worries or excuses for why you can’t be the person you want to be or have whatever it is you desire? (Family, job, money, health, etc.) Write them down and be specific. Go ahead, I’ll wait.
Okay, great! Now look at this list and ask yourself if any of these things are definitely going to happen? Odds are no, but if they are, then write that down too and MAKE PEACE with this thing. (It’s pretty powerful when you can accept the things you can’t change.) If you’re like me though, and you’re really honest with yourself, you won’t find that what you’re worried about is going to happen without a doubt.
It’s so freeing to know that the excuses you make are just distracting you from what is truly possible for your life.
So let’s look at option 1: Making progress. This isn’t saying that the progress has to happen overnight and has to be HUGE. Sometimes progress is small. Think of baby steps.
Have you ever seen the movie What About Bob? It’s a favorite of my family’s and Bill Murray is a complete mess as he lets fear rule his life. His therapist encourages him to take baby steps to overcome the excuses and fears he has, and IT WORKS! (Yes, it’s a movie, but the principle holds true.)
You probably aren’t at the level Bob was at, but the idea is still the same. Write down what you want, what steps are needed to get there, and then make baby steps towards each part of that process. Break it down into small tasks. And before you know it, you’ll look back at the progress you’ve made and be blown away by what you’re capable of.
Stay inspired & choose progress!
~Kelli
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