How I’m taking One Small Step Toward 2019 Being my Best Yet
Hello everyone and welcome to Chelsea Builds! This blog has been in the making since October 2017. Nope, you didn’t read that wrong. 2017. As in, more than a year ago.
The idea for a blog has been on my heart for a really long time. I have so many things that I want to share with you guys. I’ve learned so much about natural living, parenting, natural birth, woodworking, and really just all of the things in the last 6 years or so of my life. It’s really been on my heart to share the things I’ve learned with more than just my close friends and to also share the journey that I’m still on. But you want to know what has held me back from all of that?
Fear and perfectionism.
I’d venture to say that I’m like many of you in that I really struggle with the notion of ‘Who am I? Why would I think that anyone would want to listen to what I have to say?’ I’m also a terrible perfectionist (hello, 9w1 over here for all my enneagram lovers) I feel like I couldn’t possibly take the first step until I have exhaustively researched anything and everything having to do with blogging and then made a meticulous plan for my entire first year. Sounds awful right?
So here I am, taking that first blind leap out into the unknown and hoping that I find my wings on the way down. As Sheryl Sandberg so aptly said, “Done is better than perfect.” It has taken me a long time to realize that being a perfectionist and second-guessing my every move has kept me playing a small game and held me back from all the things I could’ve accomplished in the last year and a half. That benefits no one, least of all me.
Does this sound like you?
Are you constantly doubting your every move? Do you play that comparison game in your head? Do you feel like you couldn’t possibly make a move without knowing first that you wouldn’t fail?
Here are some of the things that have helped me to get out of my head and out of my own way:
1. Name your dream
Write it down. Nothing helps solidify those big crazy dreams rolling around in your head as much as seeing it clearly written out in black and white. So I would encourage you to grab a blank sheet of paper or all of those empty journals you keep collecting (is that just me?) and write down all of those big dreams that you have, no matter how crazy or far-fetched they may seem to you.
2. Pick one thing to focus on first
Yes, just ONE. If you’re like me you try to multitask everything and your brain is like a browser page with 150 tabs open at all times. But I promise you that giving teeny tiny bits of your effort and your drive to many many things will not be as impactful as putting all of your energy toward one large goal/dream.
3. Create some small, daily steps you can actually achieve
Maybe you’ve heard of something called SMART goals. Basically, researchers have proven that goals are more easily attainable when they’re broken down into bite-size chunks that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. So say for instance your goal is ‘Lose 20 pounds’ That’s a pretty daunting and overwhelming goal all on its own but when you can break it down into smaller chunks that fit the SMART criteria it doesn’t seem so bad (Ex. Workout every morning at 6 am. Workout for 30 minutes 6 days a week. Track portions and food using MyFitnessPal daily) Suddenly that one large thing doesn’t seem quite so daunting.
4. Don’t give up before you even start
If there is a dream that has been weighing on your heart that just won’t go away, no matter how many times you try to ignore it or talk around it or procrastinate that’s not a coincidence. I firmly believe that those kinds of dreams and goals, no matter how big or how small, that just won’t go away are God nudges. He lets that dream take root in your heart and He’ll just keep nudging you over and over about it until you finally take action on it. So my question for you is, what’s that one thing that you just can’t quit thinking about, no matter how many times you tried to get in your own way. What dream or goal is God trying to give a nudge in your heart today?
Take a deep breath. Set the fear aside. And just leap.
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