Friday, August 18, 2017

Starting Over When You Don't Have a Clue What You're Doing


Getting Started is a Drag

Where have you been dragging your feet starting over because you don't have a clue what you're doing or you don't even know where to begin?
What would you jump into with both feet if you knew what you were doing?

Perhaps you need to apply for a new job, ask for a raise, start a new project at work, or break into a new market. Maybe you want to improve your social life, start playing more, or learn a new skill. Or maybe you're dealing with a mundane problem with your car, house, or health that needs attention.

No matter what it is, whether you've never done it before--or it's been a while since you've done it and you feel a bit rusty--it can be overwhelming knowing where to start.

Accept Your Incompetence to Get Started

Each time I begin a new venture or deal with a new situation I'm acutely aware I don't have a clue what I'm doing--and I feel totally incompetent in that moment. 

There's always that momentary fear I won't be able figure things out and I'll be stuck--helpless--in the current situation.

No matter how much I've done in my life, and no matter how competent I am to handle life, I'm always a beginner starting anew. 

The truth is we're all incompetent before we're competent when confronting new undertakings--even the great explorers. 
It takes courage and curiosity to be a life-long learner--especially after you've acquired a level of competence in your life. You must be willing to admit you don't have a clue what you're doing when you start down an unknown path.
Life~A Never-ending Series of Problems to Solve

If we think of life as a never-ending series of problems to explore, we can begin to step over the action-stopping fear of new beginnings by training ourselves to re-focus on self affirming thoughts to free us when we're prone to freeze. 

💓 'I have what it takes to handle whatever life throws at me.' 
💓 'I have all the ingredients within me to be successful'. 

Whether you're dealing with the ordinary or the utmost life-changing situation, the greatest challenge is always knowing where to start and how to overcome the inertia to taking that first step. Solve that and you're on your way.

First Things First: Create a Vision

Out of Nothing comes Something


In Moments of Unease take on the Cloak of Life Explorer
Chose to see yourself as an inquisitive, life-long explorer who is willing to fearlessly step into uncharted territory to discover the adventure of a lifetime--over and over again.
Begin by building a vision of what you want to create this time around.
Every great explorer started somewhere to create something out of nothing. 
Firm Up Your Vision 

Next firm up your vision--and add a splash of color to it to create a bit of excitement. Don't be afraid to dream big.


Embark on Your Next Great Adventure

Sail away. Step into the murky water at high tide with a belief in your ability to fully explore the world for your next great life adventure despite the fear and momentary feeling of incompetence.

You're in good company if your current situation forcing you to start over leaves you lacking confidence and feeling uneasy about your future. It is a natural initial response to outside factors forcing change.

No one feels good about losing a job or marriage and having to step back out there to figure out life again. We all lose our steam when we face obstacles that momentarily stop us from forward progress. 

What makes us feel good is when we face life head on to overcome the obstacles in our path knowing we have the strength and courage to deal with life successfully. Every time we step into the unknown, despite the fear, we build our confidence.

When starting over, take a step--any step, and then take another. Start small and keep going. 

As the African proverb says, If you can talk you can sing; if you can walk, you can dance. Start simply.  If you want to sing and dance through life, start talking and walking. 


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For more than 35 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes letting go and moving forward with life easier than ever before.


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