Just Do (Anything)
I’ve been wanting to write more.
In fact, my goal for the last 4 years has been to finally write a print book, to crystallize my life philosophy out of the dreams in my head, and on to physical paper and ink.
As my mentor Coach Greg Adams has stated:
“Every great man in history has written a manifesto.”
I carry around a pocket notebook, scribbling down outlines for blog posts, or podcast episodes.
I capture snippets from interesting conversations, books, even Youtube videos (like the quote above), hoping they’ll one day just magically end up in my literary masterpiece.
Like I said, it’s been 4 years.
In addition to writing my magnum opus, I’ve also been meaning to get around to learning piano, mastering guitar, and building a Greek demigod physique, while also remodeling my house, and creating a profitable business online.
I get excited dreaming about my lofty future as an internet millionaire with massive delts and an Amazon best seller.
Unfortunately, most evenings, when I return to my castle, weary from a long day of manual labor, I shower, then collapse in front of Youtube.
“I’ll do it this weekend” I rationalize, pushing my dreams off to the eternal future, rather than take even the smallest action that would bring my fantasies into reality.
Turning Point
However, in the last few weeks, something inside me… snapped (in a good way).
I felt like someone lit a fire underneath my feet.
Something was pulling me to take action, be consistent, and start creating progress in my life.
It was like waking up from a dream.
Paralyzed
In the weeks since that moment, my habits started changing.
It’s a very simple concept, but I realized that I don’t have to write an amazing book, pack on 50 pounds of lean muscle, and generate a million dollar business all in one day.
In fact, it’s obviously IMPOSSIBLE to do ANY of those goals in a day, or even a month.
Though this is a super blatant observation, accepting and internalizing it was a massive turning point.
The idea that I needed to be doing everything, all at once, essentially let me feeling overwhelmed, and paralyzed, before I’d even started.
Instead of thinking as my lofty goals as a series of steps, or a collection of processes, I felt intimidated by imagining my future as a mythical, angry giant I needed to slay.
Like I said, I don’t know WHY I was thinking that, or what exactly cause me to stop.
I’m just glad it happened.
Momentum
So I started changing my habits slightly, to move in the direction of my goals, instead of just putting it off for a “tomorrow” that would never come.
I don’t want to wake up 5 or even 10 years from now, and STILL be dreaming of writing a book, looking like a statue, and finally being finished with renovations on my house.
I had to get moving.
The first thing I did was to complete some simple tasks I’d been putting off around the house.
I measured, then cut, and nailed in some baseboard that I’d been procrastinating on since I painted my living room- last winter.
I finally ran a wire from my front porch down to the electrical panel in my basement for an outlet at my front door. Another project I’d been slacking on for a year, that took only an afternoon to complete.
Now I can finally hang Christmas lights outside without having to run the power cord through the window.
I signed up for school and downloaded an app to practice piano. I play at least 10 minutes a day, 5 times a week, in the mornings before work (which has been the most fun new habit). After years of screwing around, I’ve learned how to read music, play with two hands, and use proper finger positioning to play.
Even on evenings when I’m absolutely exhausted from an 11 or 12 hour work day, I chug a Red Bull, warm up, and do 2-3 sets of at least 2 movements of weight training or calisthenics.
It takes less than 45 minutes, and is much more effective at clearing my head after the day than scrolling Youtube.
Small, Consistent Steps
In less than a month, things are slowly starting to shape up.
I’m a long way from looking like a Bronze Age bodybuilding legend. I still smile when I notice my arms and shoulders filling out t shirts that used to hang on my frame like a potato sack.
Some areas of my house will take some time to get perfect. Every small improvement blows wind in my sails to take on the next project. Now that the baseboard is finally done, I am focused on trimming in the door, then planning to paint the hallway, re-tile the bathroom, and completely change the layout in the kitchen. The harder I work, the more motivated I feel.
What About You?
Now that you’ve read this, I know you are feeling inspired and energized, thinking of all the goals you daydream about. You’re wondering how many small steps you can start, even today, to begin moving toward the things you want to experience, own, and become in life.
Where will you begin?