How to Get Back on Track
Hi Dear Readers. I have to be honest with you; I'm feeling a bit low this morning. It seems to me as if I've derailed myself. I've been letting my health slip and my work take a backseat. The dread comes in when I realize I only have several months to get my body in the best shape ever and to release my project to the world. I'm running out of resources, time, and steam. I become paralyzed when I look at the big picture. Usually, I'm excited to face any mountain ahead, but this one scares me. So what's the fix, Dear Readers? How do I get back on track?
Well, I have a couple of thoughts.
When I was little, my mom read me the book 'The Little Engine that Could.' In the story, a group of toys needed to be delivered by train to the good girls and boys in the town over the hill. Their train engine broke down, so they needed to find another. Many trains ignored the toys for not being worth their time. Until a little blue engine chugged along to see what was the matter. He wanted to help, but there was one big problem—the big hill between the good girls and boys separating the toys. Only the toughest and seasoned of trains could make it over. The little blue engine his entire life never crossed the mountain, and it scared him. But the toys needed to be delivered - they cheered him on, and the brave little blue engine decided to take on the challenge ahead. He started moving slowly up the steep incline. He worked hard, but he still didn't think he could make it. That's until he began to repeat the phrase 'I think I can. I think I can'. He slipped up, but he kept going, 'I think I can. I think I can'. Nearly at the top of the mountain, he slowed to a crawl, moving inch by inch. 'I think I can. I think I can'. He made it, and on the way down, he exclaimed, 'I thought I could! I thought I could!'. The toys cheered and made it to the town's good girls and boys—the end.
Alright, Christian, why did you share a children's story? That's not how real life works! My answer to that is you're right; if you believe that. However, I think stories are incredibly useful. And guess who feels like the little blue engine right now? This guy! Alright Christian, fine, you're a little blue engine who thinks he can but saying 'I think I can' is not enough. You're right again! It turns out you have to work and struggle too! But let me expand the metaphor.
Right now, I am off track in my current pursuits, and I have a big scary mountain in the way. Before anything, I'll want some fuel for my tank. An easy way to do that is to look back and see how far I've already come. It turns out I've always been climbing a mountain (you have too). A quick look back on previous accomplishments might just give me enough fuel to keep going. Next, I actually have to start moving again. Slowly but surely, I have to start chugging away at my critical objectives. As my Army buddy says, focus on WINning (What's Important Now). You don't have to look at the entire mountain, just the next step. Before long, I'll hit my stride again and be well up the mountain. Along the way, I'll be saying 'I think I can, I think I can.' to help keep my fuel, remind me to take it step by step, and help build momentum.
Alright, Dear Readers, thanks for sticking with me and letting me sort my thoughts out. It turns out writing can be very beneficial, and hopefully, it helped one of you out too. So, to sum up: An excellent way to get back on track is a simple 3(+) step system. 1. Get some fuel. Get excited about where you are going, and maybe take a look back and see where you've already been. 2. Action, this is the hardest part. Just start doing something that gets you closer to your goal. Don't think or expect yourself to be at full steam right away. Just keep your head down for as long as necessary to not get overwhelmed at the obstacle ahead. Rember, think WIN. 3. Build and maintain momentum. Just keep er moving! Soon you'll get to the top of that mountain, victorious. 4. Repeat. Assuming you want to grow as a person, you'll always be climbing a mountain. Whenever you let the steam go or completely derail, you can always start again. And maybe this time with the motto: 'I think I can. I think I can.'
ps. I feel better now :)
