I just re-learned something really, really important. When I go through my days, as wonderful as they can often be, if I am putting off doing something that is meaningful and important to me, something that I know I need to do—I am a shell of what I could be. I know that sounds a little dramatic, but it’s true. I can tell when I am putting off something that I “need” to do because while I still look and sound nice enough and still get things done, there is more of an edge to me. People that know me can sense that I am shorter and more impatient with people I care about.
I had been putting off writing. Which is strange because I feel awesome when I am writing, even just little bits at a time. Do you ever do that? Do you ever have things that you know you will feel great about doing once you do them, but instead of doing them you let other daily stuff get in the way? I noticed that I had been waiting until I had the time to do it in order to do much writing. But the days kept going by, and I stayed wonderfully busy with other things—and the “time to do it” kept not happening.
Then I started writing again anyway, even without the magic “extra” time. I don’t even know why really. I just did. It’s unbelievable how much more alive and full I feel when I simply do what I know is to be done by me, what I “need” to do—not based on some outside authority, but based on that inner knowing, based on what feels right and clear and good. I feel more focused and “on purpose” inside—and more joyful. I have had other times when it was as simple as calling someone I care about, going through my pile of “stuff,” going dancing, getting my finances more organized or cleaning out a particular drawer. Whatever it is, we each have an inner guidance system that simply feels “off” if we are not doing something we know is to be done by us, something that would serve us well if we did it.
What is something that keeps pushing at you? What is something you know is important but you keep putting off? Your provocation this week is to answer those questions and then take just ten minutes to begin it. Even if you know it will take much longer than that to complete, something almost magical seems to happen when you just start. It is like a big procrastination layer comes off and you have more energy to move forward. Try it this week and see what happens—even if you only accomplish baby steps on it. If you do more, great. If you don’t, great. Ten minutes. That’s all it needs to be.
There is a quote by Thomas Edison that says, “If we did all the things we were capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” I want to astound myself! I want us all to.
Decide today that you are worth taking good care of. Then get started with something you “need” to do based upon a sincere intention to hear and play in your highest possibilities.