Thriving, In the End
March 6, 2024
Celebration!
March 20, 2024
Pansies are joy in flower form. So sweet and colorful. A bright spot in spring when I am waiting for warmth. Spring in Central Ohio is the slowest season. Daffodils then snow. Moments of sunshine then days of rain. A hint of green but no leaves. So, discouraging. Then again, Fall is a touch of color and weeks of grey before short lived glory. Winter nights are forever. Summer seems to go by too quickly.
Maybe it isn’t the season. Maybe it is change that moves so slowly. Anticipation of change. You have been working on that project for soooo long, it is hard to imagine it will come to fruition. The usual course includes setbacks and road blocks. Difficulty is part of the process for big goals. What is it you are seeking? Everyone I know has a goal in mind. Graduation. Book launched. Feeling well. Trip planned. Debt paid. Project completed.
If you are working toward a goal, and it seems to be taking a very long time, there are ways to help yourself stay on track. To stay present in the process, here are some ideas:
The Time of Change
Know that it isn’t just you. You aren’t doing it wrong, it really does take time. Those with “overnight success” have often been working on it for a long while. That blaze of autumn glory started with the tiniest of swellings in millions of buds in March. Before that they were acorns. Big change takes time. The best selling book may actually be the 6th book that author has written, they have been working on their craft long before you heard of them. Your change will also take time.
The Feels
When you feel discouraged, feel those feelings. Vent about how incredibly frustrating it is to keep doing the right thing only to make progress inch by inch. Stomp your feet, literally and figuratively. This is hard – for real! Perseverance is a form of strength. And strength takes effort. You are growing in ability while moving toward your goal.
Progress Notes
Notice your progress. It is easy to lose track of how far you have come. Find a way to keep track: take before photos, log your numbers, note your status in a calendar. In spring, watch just one branch of a tree. By looking closely you can see the incremental change happen. Across the yard it looks like nothing. Up close you can see tiny leaves unfurling.
Milestones
Celebrate milestones. Don’t wait for the finished project to celebrate. Savor the steps along the way. Pay attention when you make progress or when you find you are gaining momentum due to skills learned. A friend is working toward getting rid of debt. Steadily she is shrinking those numbers. Even when she has a setback, she has gained skills. She has a habit of tracking and tackling the problem. Her progress is in both the numbers and in the way she has taken charge of her own life.
Soaking It In
Savor the win. Stop. Pay attention when you have reached your goal. Your new space is ready. Your website or book is launched. You made it through one more semester or year of school. Have a little party!
Change takes time. Keep moving forward knowing that you aren’t alone. When you feel discouraged, take time to vent and to take care of yourself. Keep track of how far you have come and celebrate your progress along the way. Once you meet your goal, notice that you have arrived. You got it done and you learned things along the way.
Each season has its moments of glory. Each season allows you to experience the magic of growth and change. Bring your patience and wonder to the party so you can enjoy the process, not just the results.
Peace,
Laura A. Gaines
To learn more, explore learnmodelteach.com for tools, videos, and coaching opportunities.
