Saturday, June 13, 2009

When in doubt, just take the next small step.......



Remember this list from the 90 year old Regina Brett? Well I loved this list so much that there were a few points that I wanted to ponder, to think "long" about, to share with you my friends. I did indeed love the second point, because you see I tend to be a procrastinator....AND an idealist and in a few areas, a perfectionist. Lump all these together and there are projects I NEVAH want to start for fear of it being too hard, not turning out the way I can envision it, not feeling like I have the right amount of time or energy, etc. The list of excuses can pile up as you see, I am also very creative!!! Especially when it comes to putting things off and listing why I can't start yet. I think somewhere under the proverbial rug, is an amount of fear that the results will not be what I want. And I need to get over that.

What about you? Do you "just do it" when it comes to projects or do you do as I do? Put it off forever for fear of imperfection? I have unfinished projects because I don't want them to come out badly! Wanna join the get over it club???? LOL.

This principle applies to so many other things, too, doesn't it? That next somewhat small step may be a HUGE step of FAITH for you, but what does it take to step out in faith? What does it take to motivate you to take the next small step......do you allow doubt to creep in and paralyze you from taking the next step? Do we allow fear to conquer us and render us paralyzed? I know I do sometimes. And I am my own worst enemy, and probably more critical of myself than anyone else! Faith is a gift from God, not even something I must muster up myself...so what am I waiting for?????
That next small step may be a social situation for you, stepping out of your comfort zone and going somewhere you've never been, but would like to go. It might be finding a new friend by going to a new park, play group or church. It might be sharing your true feeling or thoughts on a subject you feel passionate about. Stepping out (getting the foot in gear) is easier once you get over the mental hurdles, isn't it? Lack of self-confidence can be a REAL killer to trying new things.

I want to encourage you to NOT let fear drive you. Don't let fear prevent you from taking a small step that may turn out to be the best thing you've ever done. Don't let doubt drive you to escape back into your shell, your comfort zone. I once heard a speaker say..."Live out loud.....many of us get to the end of our lives only to find out we've been dead a long time...." so I encourage you, my friend to LIVE OUT LOUD.......
Sometimes it just takes a bit of accountability, doesn't it? Let me know how you choose to live out loud, by choosing to take those baby steps, by choosing to employ faith over fear, by choosing to accomplish what you want to accomplish. Don't let fear choke you to death.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

My son has a saying I love. "Get busy living, or get busy dying!" But all those things you feel procrastination about, may really be prioritizing. A young mother may not have time to do all those creative things. Your creative nature will never leave you. I felt the same way when my children were young. When I started painting classes, the first lesson I learned from my teacher, "It does not have to look like anyone else's." Now I just jump in. I guess it takes a few stages to get to the end. One never knows 'the best one can be' until the end. Blessings
QMM

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

I need to join the "get over it" club!!! :) I am trying to learn to start stepping out of my comfort zone...I think it's certainly helping in terms of my decorating projects!

Melanie said...

Great inspiration!
Melanie@Bella~Mella

Lisa said...

Good advice! I tend to swing the other way. Just jump in.I am so inspired by the scripture about the two houses,and what made the one stand was "doing" the Word, not just hearing it. I love that.

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

There is some wonderful inspiration in that list! Thanks for sharing it, plus, you had a wonderful post, as well. I tend to put off projects too for whatever reason. I need to take the bull by the horns and just go ahead and get lots of my projects done. I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist too, so that doesn't help matters either. Plus, I have so many projects that I want to do that it gets overwhelming sometimes. Maybe one of these days, I'll get it all together and get all my projects done. Love & blessings from NC!

Melissa Miller said...

Hi Suzanne! Waving! :)

Thanks for coming by while our computer was down. You lifted me up with your kind words. You're so sweet.

I would have to say I'm a get it over with kind of person on projects. To the point of having no patience though. Oops!

Congrats on your goiveaway winnings. Very nice.

Have a wonderful Sunday.
~Melissa :)

Anita@Theycallmejammi said...

I would love to say, "Yes, hallulejah, this exactly what is wrong with me."...but alas, it would be a lie....I'm just basically lazy. I find after I work what is a very stressful job all week, and I have a medium to large project, I put it off to 'another' time because I am tired...or I want to play with the GB's (this is always a big one for me, love that Grandbabe play on the weekends)....or I want to just go shopping, or play on the Internet. I would love to get revved up and paint my kitchen cabinets...I've been putting this one off for 3 years, 6 months, 29 days...well, you get my drift. I'll take a look at the list and see if something fits this problem I have...was there a just lazy one? LOL.

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Preach it, sister! Good words! Linda

Kristen said...

What a wonderful post! I am so encouraged with all of the Christian ladies I have found here in "Bloggerville". I happened upon your blog and am so blessed to have done so! Thank you for that posting! What a blessing!

In Him,
Kristen

Just a little something from Judy said...

Just encourages my heart to know that others think the same thoughts I do at times. I like your concept of one tiny step at a time. That is what I see my little granddaughter doing, as she learns to walk. Great post!!

Stacey said...

Oh the traits you listed about yourself are also me exactly! I have a long list of things I would like to do but fear of not having them be just right keeps me from getting things done. There's also the fact that everything else has to be perfect before I will devote the time to the creative projects. There's also blogging which I must admit is monopolizing creative time. Hmmm. Glad you posted this today!

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

So, you're saying I need to "get over it" and run already?? ;)

Carolina Mama said...

Projects are not always my favorite I admit. :) And your Giveaway win was really cute. :)