BONUS 026 – Why Starting Today is the Best Answer

What are you avoiding?

Today, I want to talk about why starting today is the best answer and how to do it in 7 simple minutes.

Is there something that’s been sitting on your to-do list for ages that you never seem to get around to?

No shame, I’ve got a few of those, too.

What’s that about??

I figure what stops us from #doingthething, all boils down to one of the following three things;

1. Fear

Fear may sound something like this:

“I need more time, money, resources, help from others and/or _____ (fill in the blank here) to process things in my mind and before I can take action”.

Or

“I don’t know how much time it’ll take to implement, so it’s better to play it safe and just not do it at all”

We are creatures of habit, we like routine, not surprises. Stepping outside our comfort zone or regular routine, means we HAVE to change something.

And sometimes that is downright scary.

Just think of the last time you wanted to try a new yoga class but were too afraid you’d make a fool of yourself and not know the moves? Or when you wanted to submit your work for an award, but you talked yourself out of it, saying your work wasn’t “good enough?”.

Fear says, “you won’t get hurt if you don’t try”. This is a LIE.

Being paralyzed in fear means you aren’t moving forward towards your hopes, dreams and goals. The life you want to live.

2. Values

If you don’t value a new idea, project or task, it means you don’t value it enough to make time for it in your busy schedule. And that’s the bottomline.

The first question to ask yourself is:

“What do I need to edit out of my life, so I can add this thing IN?”

Maybe you think, “Oh, I’d really like to work out every day this week, but between juggling the kids’ school run, my overflowing email inbox, and all the 80 billion things on my to-do list, how the HECK am I going to squeeze this in, as well?!!”

Dude, I hear you. I used to think that way, too.

Actually, I find myself thinking that way still, especially when I feel rushed, exhausted, dehydrated, when I’m eating foods that don’t nourish me, and when I’m not getting enough sleep.

That’s when I find my life is out of balance… but that’s a whole other episode for another time.

The point is this… time is a funny concept.

Make an affirmation

What if you flipped this limiting belief on it’s head and actually said to yourself:

“I have an infinite amount of time and resources in my life – right now”.

When your brain starts flaring up with the stinkin’ thinkin’ – just repeat after me:

“I have an infinite amount of time and resources in my life, right now.”

At first, this affirmation will sounds completely ridiculous to you. You’ll scoff, I can almost guarantee it. But say it over and over and over again. It’ll start seeping in to your bones and in to your brain as the TRUTH.

You’ll see possibility and opportunity where there was once none. You’ll come up with clever ideas on how to ask for help, while taking a shower. You’ll dream of new ideas at night. You’ll think differently because you’re re-wiring your brain, ever so slowly.

Faith will expand.

3. Mindset

When I get behind on a project, I shut down.

Shame, guilt, and anxiety bubble up. I feel embarrassed. and instead of #doingthething, my brain just wants to hit the big red F-it button and escape, avoid or numb.

Does any of this sound familiar to you? (Blink twice if you agree!)

Let’s talk about depression.

It’s a beast, right?

Reach out to the tribe of SUPER Insiders, the fans of The Simplifiers Podcast all around the world. We are human too and we are here for you as your community.

Remember…

No one is perfect, we all struggle with something.

You are NOT alone.

You might need a mindset shift to get you back to center. A kind person to help you see a fresh new perspective where things have gone a bit fuzzy, dark or bleak for you. Reach out to someone.

Don’t try to do this life alone.

Kick the habit

Whether it’s fear, values or mindset that is blocking us, how do we break the habit loop that keeps us stuck? How do we make a start today?

My magic 7-minute timer.

Seriously, it works.

EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

Start the timer

Here’s what to do:

Close all open tabs on your desktop except for your calendar and pull out a journal

Pen and paper is best so you don’t get distracted surfing the web, or by doing the mind-numbing death scroll on social media

Set a timer for 7 minutes on your phone

Press start on your timer and write out the following questions. If you want to stop the time, hit pause after each question to give yourself time to jot down your thoughts. Give yourself this gift. Don’t let this opportunity to gain true clarity on what you actually, really, really want in life pass you by.

1. How do I want to feel in my work and life? Finish this simple statement: I want to feel ______, ______, and ______. Just three simple things. I learned this from my mentor, Danielle LaPorte and her brilliant book, The Desire Map. It really helps bring clarity to your deepest emotions, feelings and drive.
2. Does this new idea/project/task give me those feelings, yes or no?
3. How long have I been wanting to make this change in my life?
4. What’s held me back?
5. What if nothing changes? Can you live with that?
6. What’s the very first step you need to take?
7. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being, “heck yeah I’m starting today!” – how committed are you to #doingthething?

It’s time to laser-focus on this one task for best results.

If you need help with tasks that are distracting you from #doingthething, why not Hire a Simplifier?

And just one final whisper, just from me to you, dear friend… come in closer.

Do you know the very best way to become a deep sea diver?

Some may think it’s jumping off the boat, but actually, there are so many steps before that;

Buy a wetsuit. Hire a coach to train you. Research the oceans and dive spots. Read the reviews. Find a Meetup, or other group of like-minded folks. Understand the weather conditions. Save up money. Coordinate schedules. Hire a boat. Pack the snacks. Find a babysitter. Train, condition, enter competitions.

Bleh. The list never ends, when you step back and think about it for awhile.

And that’s what stops most of us dead in our tracks. Our monkey brains anticipate the 80 billion steps that follow on from one good idea. “I’ve got to do all this stuff, and it’s all a bit too much.”

I just want to lovingly say, “Stop. Pause. Take a deep breath right now. There IS a better way.”

Just focus on the very first step right now.

That’s all.

Keep it simple.

If you can step back from the frenzy of your mind for a hot second, and take a 50,000 foot view from your petri dish of a situation, you’ll find clarity.

You’ll find out if this thing is really, really what you want to add in to your life… or not. If it’s aligned with the feelings that you want to feel, and the direction you’re headed in… or not.

If it’s a “HECK YEAH”—I want you to GO FOR IT—with all your heart.

Don’t second-guess yourself, just go for it.

Take the next step and trust that the universe has got your back all along the way.

You can do this, I believe in you.

It’s time to SIMPLIFY.

If this thought of the day inspired you…

Snap a photo of you doing the thing and send it to me via Instagram, privately or publicly… Just tag @thesimplifiers – I’ll be your virtual accountability buddy in your quest to simplify your life.

Have you joined yet?

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Come join us on the inside, it’s totally free and the doors are open just for you.

Join our free online community or click the link in the show notes to join us on the inside.

As always friends, keep things simple.

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