One Step At A Time

[?] Subscribe To
This Site

One Step at a Time

. . . To Greatness

by Laura Interval

The potential of every human being is far greater than most of us think. Your ability to have, and to be, and to do is virtually unlimited. Yet, most of us feel limited. Why? Because we believe we are. We are restricted only by the limitations of our own belief systems.

Do you feel that you can't achieve all of your goals? Have you put off getting what you want? Are you living the life that you desire? Now is the time to stop limiting yourself. Now is the time to change the way you think. TODAY, you are going to start on a new journey towards greatness.

Greatness? If that word overwhelms you, you are not alone. But, I'm here to remind you that it is within your reach. How? One step at a time. You will be on the road to achieving everything that you want by taking the first action with confidence, determination and focus. That�s it. The first step to the next step to the next goal and on to the next.

It's time to reach back into that closet cluttered with half finished projects, dust one off, put the batteries back in and get ready to start. By achieving just one goal, you will be on the way to achieving it all.

This is how all greatness begins. One little inspired step.

As I watch The Olympics, I realize that they are the ultimate showcase for human potential. The athletes proudly display the rewards of years of training, small steps leading to bigger ones, perseverance and determination. I�m always fascinated by their power and intense concentration. The muscles, the energy, and their sheer will spellbind me. They push themselves and each other to their limits and beyond. The stadiums are filled with cheering crowds. From all over the globe, we are tuned in to our TVs to witness the glory of success. We are drawn to the level of competition, to the excitement of the games, hoping to be a part of the greatness. We are drawn to witnessing the possibilities.

We want to feel the pride of achievement.
We want to achieve a gold medal.
We want greatness.

These athletes didn�t just wake up one day with all of that skill. They didn�t get on a bike and ride for 3 hours on the first day. They started with a small step. They declared their intention, and began. The only difference between them and us is training, discipline and goals. That�s it. They train harder, set higher goals and stick to them come hell or high water. Step by step, one task after another, they persist and get it done.

As life flies by us, it seems increasingly difficult to achieve new goals. We get distracted, deflated and too easily defeated. We lose sight of our own resources and begin to set our own limitations. �I don�t have time�, "I'm not good enough" or �it�s too late� we say. They don�t. The athletes don�t think about their own limitations for a second. They train with the gold medal in mind, and don�t stop until they get it. It is their one and only job, of course, but if we would give a fraction of the focus and commitment to our goals as they do, we will surely achieve greatness for ourselves.

It�s time to get out of your own way. No more excuses. From this moment on, decide to believe that you can do anything. You have the time, you have the energy and you have the motivation to take just one small step. That cluttered closet is keeping you in mediocre land and it�s time to make your break for greatness. Declare yourself in training. Steal these competitors� techniques and achieve your goals. Step by step� one by one.

YOU MUST WRITE OUT THIS EXERCISE. See the reality check. If you don�t have time right now, put this aside and come back to it when you do.

Your Road to Gold:

Choose your goal:
Pick just one thing you want to achieve. (When you award yourself the gold for it, you can move on to the next thing.) What have you been putting off? Do you have something you�ve wanted to learn? A skill you want to acquire? Knowledge you want to obtain? An action you�ve wanted to attempt? Make it specific.

Plan your training
What will you need to do? Break it down.

TIME:
How much time do you have to devote to this training? Be realistic. Is it 1 hr/day? 4 hrs/week? Decide how much time you have.

Assign the exact time you will devote. Write it in your datebook, on your calendar� wherever you keep your schedule. Block out the hour(s) you will devote to this goal. Make sure nothing will get in your way.

COACH:
Choose your coach. Will it be you? Or do you need to contact a teacher for training? At the very least, you must tell someone in your life that you are doing this now. Tell someone that you trust that you are setting this goal for yourself and you would like for him or her to check in on you about it and hold you responsible for it. (There�s nothing worse than having to tell a friend that you�ve given up.)

Actions:
List the actions you will take during your designated time:For example:Research on the InternetMake specific phone calls Enroll in classBuy instructional DVD programGet required gear� etc�

Set goal marks:
Challenge yourself to achieve this goal by a certain date. Set midway goal marks and a final goal date. For example, you will learn about investing for the next five weeks, in the 6th week you will meet with an accountant, and in 7 weeks, you will have made an investment and have a satisfying investment plan.

Visualize the gold:
What will it mean to you when you achieve this goal? What will this gold medal mean to you? Be clear on why you want this and how important it is to you. If your �why� isn�t strong enough you will let yourself slack off again in your training. Make sure achieving this goal means something to you.

Plan your award ceremony:
Plan a reward for yourself. Plan a get together or a special event to celebrate your achievement and show your world that you have done it. Make it something to look forward to.

Just as the beautiful Chinese women�s weight lifting champ accepts her gold medal, crying tears of joy, her impossibly tiny frame radiating pride, feel the power and satisfaction that comes from knowing that you are going to achieve your goal. You are now in training and you have the gold in your sights. Your greatness is in taking the first step. And the next step will lead to the next. You will soon be leaving your perceived limited potential way behind.

footer for one step at a time page