Stop Watching the Clock
Take time to enjoy your life a little more. Don't let yourself feel discouraged or defeated... it isn't always about starting or finishing, sometimes it's about living. I tend to set really high standards for myself and sometimes it can get really discouraging if I feel like I missed the mark, but I’m realizing more and more it’s okay! I’m just learning and so are you.
It’s easy to feel defeated. Almost too easy actually. But I do want to say something, when you feel defeated, don’t conform to the feeling, challenge yourself to transform into a new mindset. Being defeated is a one-sided, limited perspective in the grand scheme of things. It’s the idea that you’re finished with what you’re doing even though you didn’t accomplish what you set out to do. It’s a decision that says, it’s final and you didn’t win, but that’s not true.
It’s not final. You’re not finished yet. Keep going. Try a new way. Tackle another angle and take control over your life. Continually challenge your mindset on situations. Don’t assume it’s all over when all you need to do is keep foraging. You may not always have what you need within arms reach, but does that really change anything? Keep moving and get closer. You won’t get anywhere if you stop. You won’t strike the answer to a new equation if you stand still. You won’t get what you need if you don’t reach for it.
I’m convinced moving is the key to more than we think. In fact, I forgot in a lot of ways how important it is to stretch and move, to go on long or short walks, but never skip the walk. I forgot how small movements can really strengthen weaker muscles. I forgot how adding weight may be what you need to avoid hitting a plateau. I forgot the joy and satisfaction when you simply do the thing. Sometimes when you don’t see results, you don’t see your own growth, but it’s there under discipline and self-control. Don’t let yourself plateau. Don’t lose traction when you’re progressing. Are you moving? Then you’re doing great! Don’t stop.
I’m not really sure why I’m talking about this except to try and remind you once more to keep moving. Even if all you can manage is a few strokes of your paintbrush or 10 reps instead of 30 or 10 minutes of practicing your art instead of an hour. Sometimes all it takes is to simply continue and stop watching the clock. Enjoy what it’s like to simply invest in your life and those around you with out all the deadlines and expectations. Consider the experience of the process and not so much the end goal. The reality is that we are all a part of something far greater than we could ever imagine. It’s a waste of time to measure anything before it’s done. Our dreams really do get bigger as we go because they’re meant to. You’re not done yet.
Just by starting, just by moving, just by accepting yourself in a moment and valuing who you are makes a difference. All you need is to continue down the road. Don’t worry so much about starting or ending, just keep going. I don’t always love the process. Big projects intimidate me, but life is a project in itself and I’m beginning to see how truly important it is to enjoy the process. When you start to find value in the process, you stop relying so much on time and you enjoy the experience. Disregard any shadows of discouragement or defeat, turn off the alarms and all the outside voices and simply do what you need to do.
