Week of January 25th, 2010:
This week we’re going to do a Trust exercise. A lack of trust, which we often call ‘realism’ in an attempt to justify not doing something, can be one of the strongest blocks to achieving a goal. We turn down opportunities that don’t look like they could get us to the goal the way we’ve envisioned it because we just can’t trust that it will work out, that we’ll be happy with the results, and that it will look like what we expected. That’s, generally, not how things work out but only those of us who are open to the idea of moving forward with some amount of trust get to see that in action. The rest of us want some kind of proof upfront that each step will give us what we want before we’re willing to act. However, time passes and very little changes. Our frustration grows and we become even more convinced that the world is just not on our side.
So, let’s start with a small and manageable goal. As always, writing something down helps us to be more accountable to ourselves. Write down a smaller goal, which can be part of a larger dream that you’ve been unable to start. For example, if you’ve wanted to start your own business, the smaller goal may be writing a business plan and you may feel you don’t have the knowledge or skills to get the job done. Write it down anyway. Next, write down the names of three people who you feel would make good mentors. Make an appointment to talk over the phone or in person and bring each of them your smaller goal with the intention to get some advice on what to do next. Now, here’s where you’re going to take the new action. Be open and willing to take the actions they offer even if you don’t see how they may work out in your favor. If you’re uncomfortable, that’s okay, go anyway and listen when something is offered with the idea that you are going to take the help that is being offered. You are going to Trust that things are moving forward even if you can’t see how today.