Starting over.
Learning something new.
Choosing a different path to follow.
These are all terrifying concepts. There is comfort in making excuses for being stuck in one place; less risk is involved. It is much easier to remain mired in a variety of ways, whether emotionally, professionally, intellectually or physically.
The first step is to break through “can’t.” By removing “can’t” from a sentence and inserting “don’t want to,” “not willing to,” it starts to feel uncomfortable. The statement now becomes an excuse. For example: “I can’t write a book” becomes “I don’t want to write a book.” “I can’t train for a 5K” instead can be stated “I am not willing to train for a 5K.”
The second step is to create actionable goals and a deadline. Now that it is understood with passion and a belief in one’s self, anything is possible, figure out how to accomplish it. Create the small steps to accomplish the goal and set a deadline of when it will be completed.
The third step is to do. Believing that it is possible and having a plan mapped out leads to making it happen.
These steps might seem over-simplified or unrealistic, but I know it is not. Anyone can learn something new, create something beautiful, lose weight, become a better person, write a great novel, or find true love. I don’t just believe this; I know it to be true.
Here are a few real-life examples of inspiring women who knew this too:
- Julia Child learned to cook at the age of 32.
- J.K. Rowling, a penniless, single mom, completed the first Harry Potter series manuscript on an old typewriter at the age of 30.
- The artist Grandma Moses started painting at the age of 70.
- Laura Ingalls Wilder, the author of the Little House on the Prairie series, began writing at the age of 65.
Remember:
It is never too late.
Limitations are self-imposed.
Post inspired by Choose Happiness.
Awesome post, Kelly!
I love the inspiration to recognize that excuses are little more than a choice to let fear determine our behavior!
It is never too late to live a great life, to do something new, to be happy. We simply have to start down a new path and keep walking.
We may not reach our goals in the timeline or manner we wished for, but choosing to make productive progress every day will get us there and while we’re on our way we have the opportunity to celebrate and enjoy our focused efforts today!
Chrysta
You are so inspiring Chrysta and I appreciate each comment you leave. Thank you for sharing this today!
Nice words and encouraging – especially for those of us who are about to put our forties astern.
Thank you David. I am happy this resonated for you. Based on Grandma Moses’ timeline, you are still several decades away from being a famous painter or whatever you choose to be.
Something to think about when you’re having one of those “weak moments.”
very motivating
I am glad you enjoyed the post Jay. Thanks for visiting! I love your blog.
Awesome post. I’ve been learning more to follow this philosophy whenever I want to achieve anything.
It really does work, doesn’t it? It might not match perfectly with the timeline laid out, but passion and persistence works.
I love this post! It’s exactly what I needed to read today to put me back in the right frame of mind about several things in my life :).
I am so happy this post inspired you today. Thank you for letting me know. It means a lot.
Kelly,
As soon as I saw this title I was intrigued. My new life has set sail with that exact philosophy. Anything that makes me uncomfortable I force myself to get acquainted with change. Someone once said “Change plus belief equals results” It’s just like going to the gym. We are often not motivated while we are sitting on our sofa, but once we get there and start the warm up motivation follows.
One of my biggest regrets is that I let fear make decisions for me good and bad! It is liberating to do something as simple as learning how to play tennis regardless of my fear of my physical limitations. Once I feel the fear or discomfort and have pushed myself forward the results are usually empowering!
I am glad this post resonated for you and that you are embracing this concept with your new life. I know it will be a great life and a fun adventure for you!
Everytime I celebrate my umpteenth 29th birthday I look back on the year and evaluate. I find that I never failed – unless I never tried. Making excuses is life-draining; all it does is kill dreams and leave a trail of ‘what ifs’. Thanks for the reminder!
You are welcome. I am glad you enjoyed the post!
What else can I say but, You’re doing great, Kelly!
That means a lot Eric. Thank you!
Yes! All very true. I especially like the point about replacing “can’t” with something more to-the-point.
Arg, it’s the concrete, small steps to the goal that often get me as well. I’m currently reading a book on procrastination (The Procrastination Equation)… hopefully it has some insight for me!
I have times when I procrastinate too. I try to hold onto the great feeling I have after I completed the dreaded task and think about how much anxiety was building up over not tackling whatever I was putting off. It doesn’t always work the next time, but it’s a start with helping to avoid procrastination.
Good luck!
Julia Child learned to cook at 32? Wow…
Sometimes I forget how young I am. I keep thinking everything has to be now or never.
Needless to say, I’m slightly younger than 32, and I haven’t accomplished much in my life… yet. But I will. It’s not to late for me if it wasn’t too late for them, right?
Oh my gosh, you are just getting started! I have to say my 40’s are my favorite decade so far and a lot of people have said the same to me as well. Definitely enjoy where you are in life now, but it isn’t too late for anything!
Thank you for this.
I am so happy this resonated for you. Thank you for visiting.
Well, if we take these examples, everything seems possible. At least everything is better than being unhappy. I think these three steps can really lead to success. Great work!
Thank you for the compliment! The beauty of the approach is in the simplicity. The just-make-it-happen philosophy always works well for me.
Thank you (again) for amazing lunch read!
Its absolutely PHENOMENAL how people put limitations on themselves, I was one of them, not anymore! EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE, no excuses! JUST DO IT!
About the book I am in similar position like J.K Rowling, but I will get there!
That’s a great attitude to have, Alice! Keep staying focused and passionate about your goals and you will get there.