How do you deal with life’s overwhelm? When there are so many things to do, that you can’t see your way forward, how do you keep from getting stopped by the sheer weight of tasks that demand your time?
Not long ago, our shipping container made its way from Texas to Central America, packed with everything we own. 39’ worth of “chunches” (which sounds much nicer than its English counterpart). It’s one thing to travel half a world away with your suitcase and it’s a completely different thing to be sitting on your own couch in another country. I guess sitting on my couch marks the point where we’re “all in” in Costa Rica!
As wonderful as it was to know that our things arrived safely, the thought of unpacking all of the “stuff” that, after living two months without, we had proven we no longer needed, was pretty overwhelming. That, combined with a big work launch, was enough to make me want to crawl back under the covers. It was a lot. Exciting, but it was a lot.
I found myself combatting my very human instincts to cut-and-run in the throes of the exciting-a-lot-ness of my life.
I love it when the right message finds me at the right time. Such was the case when I took Oprah and NFL superstar, Tom Brady, with me on my walk the day before my “chunches” arrived. I confess, I’m addicted to Oprah’s Super Soul podcast. How could any respectable leadership educator resist their conversation about “How to Reach Peak Performance?”
Oprah asked him “What are you thinking about when you’re 24 points down?” And he said that he couldn’t think about the 24 points. He couldn’t think about the outcome of the game. He couldn’t think about what had happened to get them to that point, or what would happen if they lost. All he could think about was the next right thing.
So, that’s what I thought about, as I sat here typing this piece, surrounded by cardboard boxes, on the day of my big launch. What is the next right thing?
The thing I know to be true in my life is that, long before I heard Tom Brady talk about it, I instinctively understood this truth. It’s been the case with all of the big projects I’ve undertaken. The only reason I’ve been able to do the things I’ve done is because I’ve learned to take my focus off of the things that scare me or overwhelm me. To take my focus off of winning or losing, or the possibility of making a mistake or looking the fool. I’ve learned to focus on simply taking the next baby step in my path.
The next right thing.
Then the next.
That doesn’t mean I don’t feel overwhelmed, it just means that it doesn’t stop me.
As you look at your life, I encourage you to examine your focus; to allow it to serve you instead of stop you. What is your next right thing?
For you will do extraordinary things in your life—you will amaze yourself—when you learn to be unstoppable.
One. Baby step. At. A. Time.
©A Thoughtful Company, 2021
Such a great post, Kimberly.
The thought coming up for me is of a mountain road that keeps folding back on itself. Sometimes the shortest way is just not possible – or not possible for me at the current time. And at times it seems one comes further away from the destination. But then the road turns and you are a little higher on the mountain than you were before.
As for sitting in your own sofa: Congratulations. Things that have known our other homes gain a different meaning when those other homes are far away.
I don’t know what it is about you, Charlotte, but every time you respond to me, it opens up a whole new perspective. I love the mountain road analogy. The switchbacks of life… I’ll be chewing on that all day! Thank you!
Yes, yes and yes…..”I’ve learned to focus on simply taking the next baby step in my path.”
This also brings up ‘mindfulness’ for me . Being deeply aware of what is happening in this moment that will lead to the next.
Taking a deep breath while being present has helped me navigate my next ‘baby step’. Welcome HOME!!!
Yes! HOME! If you would have told me ten years ago that I would think of Costa Rica as home, I would have thought you crazy! Isn’t it remarkable, Carolyn, how a single decision can transform the entire landscape of your life? I love sharing this adventure with you, even when we’re an ocean apart!
Yes. Indeed. Great reminder to take the next right step-aligned with your deepest commitments and values. Lately, I’ve been calling this the next love-inspired action. Happy unpacking your beloved belongings and launching, Kimberly! You Have Got This!! 🙂