Making Progress Means Putting One Foot in Front of the Other

I had a great meeting with a coaching client today. It was a great meeting for a few reasons. Firstly, I really like this client. Even though we've only met a few times, we made an instant connection with each other. Our personalities are similar and we just "get" each other I think. It's always nice to interact with someone when you feel like you're both on the same wave length.

The bigger reason why I loved today's meeting was that I really felt like I was able to help this particular client work through what was holding her back from taking some basic actions that could really get her going in the direction she wants to go in her life. There are few feelings better, from my point of view anyway, then feeling like you've truly helped someone.

What my client needed to do is actually what most of us need to do when we're trying to make a change or achieve a new goal. She had to take a step back from her challenge, assess everything that she was trying to accomplish, and then begin to break it down into manageable steps.

So often when we look at a major life change, it overwhelms us. Think about what it's like when you move. Have you ever had to move, looked at your house or apartment, and though, "how in the world am I ever going to get this all packed up?" I know I have. And yet, almost everyone has moved at least once in their lives. It happens. It CAN be done. The secret is to not tackle the whole issue at once because when you do that you feel like you don't know where to start. So instead, you break it down. Maybe you start with the kitchen. Then, if that's still too much, you tackle one drawer in the kitchen until it's all packed. Then you do the next one. Eventually, the whole house is in boxes.

The same principal applies to our goals. At first you may feel like a few small actions won't make a difference to attaining your objective. But if you don't start with small pieces you can get so overwhelmed you don't take action at all. So start small, and accomplish something. Even if it's a seemingly insignificant step. The confidence you gain from crossing off that first task, will fuel your desire for the next. Soon, you'll have accomplished a entire list of things that bring you closer to your goal and you'll be well on your way.

So take a small step. Do it today. You may be a year, or more, away from where you want to be right now, but by taking action today you'll be one day closer to achieving your goal.

What are your resolutions?

Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanza, Happy Hanukah, and Happy New Year!

Well it's almost that time of the year again. In a few more days, it will be New Year's Resolutions time. I've never been that huge on resolutions but in the past few years, I've realized the incredible power of resolutions.

So what are your goals for 2007?

If you don't have an answer for that question, I want to encourage you to sit down and come up with one. Setting New Year's resolutions is important for a couple of reasons. Not only beacuse it gives you goals to work on, but because it forces you to take the time to analyze your life and figure out what you REALLY want to accomplish this year.

So if you're going to set resolutions, encourage you to take the time to figure out exactly what you want to achieve in 2007 and how you're going to do it.

If you've never set resolutions before, consider it. We all have things that we want to achieve in our lives. Unfortunately, many of us never get there because we don't take the time to sit down and make a commitment to achieve them. New Years is the perfect time to make that commitment.... Good Luck!

(I've decided to start a new feature for my blog called, Action of the Week. This feature will give you something to work on each week to make your life better and more fulfilling. I invite you to use this feature to push you to take action to improve your life.)

ACTION OF THE WEEK
Sit down and make at least 2 resolutions for 2007. Whether its a life change you want to make, a goal to set, or a habit you want to quit, a resolution can help you achieve your goal.

Share your resolutions with me. I can't wait to hear what you're working on!