Estimated reading time: 3 minutes, 5 seconds.

TODAY’S IDEA: Stop waiting and pick yourself

I’ve heard and read this idea many times, and I don’t know where it originated, but I’m so glad it’s been going around because it is so wise and so true!

Sometimes we find ourselves waiting for something: permission, or the right time to come, or to get the right title/designation, or for people to see us differently… or, or, or… who knows. But that is simply a hurdle of our own making on our way to where we want to go.

This reminds me of the description of “The Waiting Place” in Dr. Seuss’ beloved book Oh, the Places You’ll Go!: (click on the book

Click here to see a wonderful narration of the book (6 min).

The Waiting Place…

…for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or the waiting around for a Yes or No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for the wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.

NO!
That’s not for you!

No more waiting around. No one but YOU has to choose YOU as a passionate and capable individual to do what you want to do. And no one but YOU has to believe in YOU that YOU can do it. Take the lead in your life. When you change your mindset and start believing that you are indeed capable, this triggers a whole process that enables you to have the confidence you need because you are not waiting for anyone to anoint you as worthy. Furthermore, you’ll be able to find the resources you need and to overcome the obstacles you’ll face without reverting to The Waiting Place.

Please note that I’m NOT saying that by you choosing yourself you’ll magically transform into what you want. No. No. No. You still have to put in the hours and do the work to make it happen. The difference is that you will believe and prove to yourself that you can do it. And every achievement along the way (no matter how small) and every milestone will further reiterate that you can—and you will—reach your goal.

Remember to keep asking yourself: If not you, who? If not now, when? The answer will always lead back to you and now. And I’ll be here cheering for your success!

ACTION:

TODAY: Pick yourself and (re)commit to what you want to do this year. What one thing can you do today (even if it’s just to take 30 seconds to write a plan on the back of a napkin) that will move you towards your goal(s)?

FUTURE: Funny enough, 33 days have passed since the beginning of the year and (counting today) there are 333 days left. So in the spirit of Count Von Count’s Number 3, let’s look at 3 things:

1. Take time to reflect on where you have been “waiting.”
2. Ask WHY three five times to see what’s got you stuck and determine to pick yourself as the one to get you out of the proverbial waiting mode. What do you need to do to snap out of the waiting funk?
3. Once you’re no longer in waiting mode, (re)start or continue where you left off on your goals/rituals for this year.

One last thing: let me know if you’d like to be a part of a Facebook group for accountability and goals. I have heard from a few gurupies who are interested, so we may start small but mighty!