Begin at the Beginning
Sometimes I have a very hard time following through with goals that I set for myself. I know that this is pretty much because of one thing. I look too far ahead.
I think it is good and necessary to have some sort of a vision of the future for when a task is completed and to visualize the final product. But when I can’t break it down into the baby steps that are needed to get there, it becomes overwhelming, hard to keep up with, and I end up giving up.
I read a book to my daughter before bed the other night called Begin at the Beginning. The book was about a girl who was given an assignment by her teacher to paint the most wonderful painting ever for a school fair coming up. Talk about pressure! The girl was paralyzed. She was going to paint the universe and wanted it to be spectacular, but she didn’t know where to begin. She was picturing the earth and stars and all the people and everything that makes up the world, which left her too overwhelmed to complete the painting. Crumpled pieces of paper filled her floor.
Finally, she talked to her mother who wisely said for her to “begin at the beginning”. Start with her world and what she sees in front of her instead of starting with the whole universe. So the girl sat in her room at her desk and began to paint. The painting began with a single solitary tree that stood outside her window.
With any goal, by breaking it down into smaller pieces makes it more manageable. Whether it’s a financial goal, a weight loss goal, an exercise goal, or just a goal of getting the house clean, the same method can be used to make it easier to start, continue toward, and ultimately reach the place you visualize. Start with what is right in front of you and you’re sure to create something beautiful.
You’re so right. Smaller goals are far more achievable and make us feel we’ve ‘got there’ and can move on to the next rather than just slogging along, trying to reach some far off goal that never appears to get any closer.
At the moment I’m trying to gain weight. I take it a kilo at a time rather than focusing on the entire 15 kilos. Every time I put a kilo on, I feel really good for it instead of worrying about the weight I haven’t yet gained.
Sharon Js last blog post..Musically, I’m Not Being Environmentally Friendly
Instead of trying to get from A to Z just take the first step and go from A to B.
Marelisas last blog post..Create a Personal Manifesto: Your Self-Portrait
Great tips - As you probably know/can guess I am more of a go big or go home type of person but sometimes it is good & more successful to take baby steps!
Have a great day!
jenny
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Thanks for your comments, ladies!
@Sharon J, it is easier to work on weight gain or loss in smaller increments. Like you say, it’s better to focus on the progress than that the goal is yet to be reached.
@ Marelisa, why yes, that was a good way of putting my verbal vomit into one line! I need you as my editor!
@lobotoME, I used to be go big or go home, but for me, I found that I was missing out on a lot of things instead of enjoying the process. By taking baby steps and starting small, I definitely find myself accomplishing more, trying new things and finding new joys.
This is a great post Emily! And, it’s amazing sometimes the knowledge we can gain from children’s books, isn’t it?
It’s easy to look at what the end result will be, and get overwhelmed on how to get there. A few years ago, I had reached that state where I had gained way too many pounds. I kept failing at losing any weight because I would always look to the end result and get derailed because it just seemed so far away to get to that point. Then one day, I finally told myself that I just need to start by losing a pound. And that’s what got the ball rolling for me. And one pound led to many. And now I have been at a weight that I am happy with for the last three years. But, again, I wouldn’t have gotten there without breaking this into small, manageable steps.
And this happens in other areas of my life as well. So this is just a great reminder to “begin at the beginning”. Thank you.
Begin at the beginning is a sound advice. Sometimes, to chart out entire plan, beginning with the end is great as well. And then backtrack what needs to be done one month prior to this and another month prior to that … till you reach today.
Avani-Mehtas last blog post..Salt of A Happy Marriage - When Too Much Of A Good Thing Makes A Marriage Go Bad
I am the opposite I think, and don’t plan in the future enough with anything BUT my finances.
When I get an idea or project I will just go to town for about the first few hours. I will start putting ideas to paper, brainstorming till my eyes hurt and then will have so much in front of me I get sidetracked and off on a tangent that isn’t anything like I had originally started off with.
WriterDad wrote a post earlier this week to a similar tune (http://writerdad.com/?p=240) in how he approaches writing his book, re-reading and rewriting almost everything along the way; whereas I (and momgrind) posted that we just braindump when it comes to our blogging lives…
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@ Hank, I tend to be the same way with my blogging. Brain dump then go backwards, a lot like Avani-Mehta said, and reach my vision by chipping off parts that aren’t needed. I read Writer Dad’s post (a new to me and fun find of a blog!) and agree his approach to writing is similar.
So true! I try and make little goals for Sofia and I each day and even if it’s something very simple, at the end of the day I am proud to have accomplished what I set out to do.
Lisas last blog post..When all else fails, walk it out
Absolutely beautiful post, I think with personal finance and finding simplicity that is just what people have to do! BABY STEPS!
Frugal Trenchess last blog post..Living Like No One Else I Know!
Hey Emily. Great post. It’s just what I needed to read this afternoon.
I am all about baby steps. Have you ever heard of SARK’s micromovement concept? I have many micromovement wheels hanging up at my house.
You can learn more about SARK’s micromovement at http://www.planetsark.com/resources_support_sheets_micromovements.htm
Stacey / CreateaBalances last blog post..Living with Intention
Ah, yes. Something I try to teach my girls when they get overwhelmed by things. Like wedding planning!
happy day,
melissa
melissa @ the inspired rooms last blog post..Observation: Casual & Colorful
Amen to that. I need to remember it more often!
Lauras last blog post..first scarf
I have goal problems myself, and this was really a great post that made me think (and get ideas, which sometimes isn’t a good thing for me, but that’s another story). Thanks for being so inspiring!
Nickis last blog post..Setting Information Free
Great advice… kinda like my mom always says: “One step at a time.”
Stumbled.
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[...] Begin at the Beginning by Remodel This Life was my favourite post of the week. It deals with how hard it is to get things done (and started) and was written in such a nice way. I think I’m going to start putting pictures of flowers into my posts. [...]
[...] Break your goals into manageable steps, and take the first step. – “With any goal, by breaking it down into smaller pieces makes it more manageable. Whether it’s a financial goal, a weight loss goal, an exercise goal, or just a goal of getting the house clean, the same method can be used to make it easier to start, continue toward, and ultimately reach the place you visualize. Start with what is right in front of you and you’re sure to create something beautiful.” – via Remodeling This Life [...]