While teaching an acting class several years ago, I was stressing the importance of being prepared for an audition, because unexpected events can off-set your important day. One of my students told me that her school motto was “Don’t be scared, be prepared!” What a great slogan for life!
When we want to change our lives it can be truly scary. How do we start? How do we stay motivated? How will life be different as we move through this? Whether you are trying to lose weight, get a new job, get a better education, change your mind-set, get out of debt, or just re-decorate your house, here are some simple tips to eliminating the fear and getting prepared for greatness.
Write It Down
I got this tip from friend and fitness coach, Natonya Pacchiarotti. Write down your overall goal. Then write down why you want to accomplish this goal. Your “whys” may be numerous and that’s OK. Write them all down! Put your “whys” some place that you can see them every day- on your mirror, in your car, on your computer. Also, establish a timeline for your goal. Nat, suggests using a backward model for setting mini-goals along the way. If you plan to accomplish your goal in a year, where should you be in 9 months, 6 months, 3 months, 1 month and so on? Divide your goal into small portions/benchmarks to keep yourself on track. As the saying goes, “So it shall be written, so it shall be done!”
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Do Your Homework
Do some research and find out what you are in for. And don’t just use the internet. Go to the library and find books and DVDs on the subject. What tools or education might you need to be successful? Connect with people or groups who have accomplished a similar goal; ask them how they went about it and decided if their process will work for you. The more light you shed on your goal, the less intimidating it becomes.
Plan for Slip-Ups and Set-Backs
This is all about the Japanese proverb, “Fall down 7 times, get up 8.” A need to be perfect will not get you to your goal. There will be bumps in the road and you need to plan for how you will handle them. Be kind to yourself when you falter and remember that showing up in the moment is more than half the battle. You may find that your plan needs a few adjustments. Make them and move on!
Celebrate Every Victory!
Be very proud of your small accomplishments along the way. Pat yourself on the back and let others know so they can celebrate you as well! You may even want to set-up a reward system to keep you motivated. It is so important to focus on the positive changes that you are making no matter how small. You’re making progress so do your happy dance!
Adventures in Light Dancing 