seeing Gold in tHe Small steps
January felt like it lasted 437 days, it always does. After coming off the excitement and busyness of Christmas, we made it through the pressure of January. You know that pressure, new year new you. Goals and aspirations that seem impossible to achieve only to pursue them for about a week or two.
February began yesterday and realism set in walking into target and seeing Valentine’s candy everywhere. The familiar ache of disappointment when you realize that not much has changed and we have the whole rest of the year to think of the things we wish we could do. I think we’ve all experienced this disappointment at some point. Before we know it, it’ll be Easter, summer vacation, the fall Starbucks menu will be out, then Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas again. The cycle will continue.
There is nothing wrong with dreaming big and setting goals for yourself in the beginning of the year. I think where we get discouraged is we don’t know how to do the step by step to learn the consistency it takes to achieve big goals. Nothing worth achieving happens instantaneously. In a social media world, we see highlights all the time. We never see the time, energy, late nights, sacrifices, and disappointment that people face daily. Life has become a deceiving highlight reel of accomplishment and “success”.
Story time….
I started running last April. The reasons are a story for another day. It was something I decided to pick back up after not running for about 10 years and long before kids. My goal was to become a runner, simple as that. To become a runner there is a consistency you must pursue to where it becomes a part of your weekly rhythm. The first few runs were brutal. I was slow and in pain. I had to run in the Louisiana humidity for a few months. I set some small goals- to become consistent and run a 5k. They weren’t crazy goals but took discipline and effort. I didn’t achieve that consistency every week. Some weeks I didn’t run at all, but over time I become more consistent the more I decided to get back out there and try again.
Pursuing a dream or a goal takes bravery. Bravery is showing up repeatedly even when you feel like you failed.
10 months later I can confidently say that I am a runner. I just finished my first 10k and I am training for my first half-marathon. I could’ve quit after month one of inconsistency and not achieving my own expectations, but I got out there and started again every time.
10 months of choices
10 months of showing up
10 months of consistency
Not instantaneous success at something.
I want you to do something brave this year. What is something you’ve always wanted to do or try? Pick something and start small each day or week that helps you grow towards that thing you want. Settle your heart and decide that this goal or dream is for the long haul- not happening overnight.
There is gold in the small steps. You find the stuff you are made of. You realize just how brave and strong you really are. If you tried something in January and feel that you failed, today is a great day to try again. One step at a time.
