Take a Step Forward

KEEP CHOPPING!

Take a Step Forward

Whenever you’re stuck, just do something. It can be the smallest thing. Just do something to move yourself forward. I love the saying, “Chop Wood, Carry Water.” The actual quote is a zen proverb, “Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.” It’s so simple, yet so difficult to execute. My wife likes to use the term “Micro Movements” (she was a school teacher – 2nd grade). I had a high school English teacher that used the term “Divide and Conquer.” I still hear his voice saying that all the time.

Don’t get me wrong – I get stuck all the time. Sometimes I forget this basic concept. I’m paying more attention to it, though. Lately, I’ve kept this picture, to the right, as my desktop screen saver. It’s from a crossfit competition I was in this summer. We had to run a mile while holding two bricks. I can’t tell you how hard this was. There was a hill at the start and I wanted to quit right there. My arms were so freaking tired, I couldn’t believe it. I literally had to adjust the bricks every 10 yards or so or else I would’ve dropped them. It was brutal, to say the least (the 25 deadlifts were fun right after that as well). I got through it by telling myself to take one step at a time. Just one step. It was only about 10 minutes – not that long. It’s a great reminder for me of taking one step at a time.

Here’s the thing..it takes a lot of work to reach your goals and do great things. It’s the details, the little things, that make the most difference. It’s hitting the gym when you don’t feel like it. It’s saying no to the oreos that are staring you in the face (my weakness!). It’s splitting that nagging project into 10 steps instead of thinking you have to tackle it all at once.

One action at a time….get going.