Got Goals? Take Advice From a Hobbit

 

Since the New Year, I’ve been spending a lot of time reflecting on my goals for our business and re-evaluating what I want my life to look like.

It’s got me inspired and rarin’ for action.  Except for one thing…

OVERWHELM.  

When I look at that well-intentioned list of things I’d like to accomplish, and everything I need to do to get there, it feels as daunting as climbing Mount Everest…or maybe a whole mountain chain full of Mount Everests.  Holy smokes!  How will I ever get there?

A Little Advice From Sam

A story for those Tolkien fans out there…

If you recall in The Lord of the Rings movie, The Return of the King, Frodo and Sam set out with the ring to destroy it in the fires of Mordor.  It’s one long, perilous journey for two defenseless hobbits.  

They’re weak, tired, hungry (what?  no second breakfast?!?) and scared out of their minds.  Finally, they arrive at Mordor.  

Frodo looks out at the thousands of orcs swarming the place, fiery steaming death traps everywhere, and no way in.  “There are so many of them.  We’ll never get through unseen. It’s him, the Eye,” he sighs in despair.

Sam puts a gentle hand on his friend’s shoulder.  “Let’s just make it down the hill, for starters.”

Just Make It Over the Next Hill

Whatever your goals are for your wedding business this year, when you think about all the things you have to do, all the stuff you have to learn, all the technical hurdles you have to jump to get there, it’s a LONG overwhelming journey that can make you want to throw in the towel before you even begin.

So how do you get over the dreaded Overwhelm and get moving instead?

Take Sam’s advice and stop looking at all the things that need to be done, and focus on simply getting to the bottom of the hill.

One hill at a time, one task at a time, one day at a time.  Just focus on the very NEXT action you need to take, and don’t worry about climbing the rest of those hills until you get to them.

Proven Recipe For Fast Action

If like me and you’ve got a list of Things To Do that seems insurmountable, pick your #1 goal and figure out the very next thing you need to do to move toward.  Just focus on that next hill.  Here’s how…

1. Pick your #1 Goal.
2. Determine the very next small, achievable action you need to take to get there.  We’re talking SMALL, like making a phone call, sending an email or locating a resource.  Something you can do TODAY.
3. Take that action.
4. Identify the very next small, achievable action and take it.
5. Repeat Steps 2-4 until you reach your destination.

Growing to the next level is scary, overwhelming and it takes some work.  Someone explained to me that it’s like you’re climbing this set of stairs stretching into the distance.  You don’t know how many steps…you can’t even see them…let alone what’s required at each one.

But you know the NEXT step right in front of you.  And once you’re there, you can see the next, and the next…

You’ll get there, one step at a time.

How do you keep yourself motivated when you’re discouraged and overwhelmed?

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