I think you’ve probably all heard the phrase:
A journey of a thousand miles begins with one small step.
Every journey has a starting point and starting is sometimes the most arduous step.
In our Small Step Series, I’ve given you some ideas that you can implement to help reach your goals. If you missed them, here’s a quick recap:
- Value of Consistency – It’s important to keep going once you start. Print a Consistency Chart and track your progress.
- The Ripple Effect – is something that we each create as we walk through life. Your actions affect others’. God’s plan and purpose for you ripples far beyond what you can imagine.
- Speak Your Dream – By speaking our dreams we give them life and we begin to believe we can pursue what we’ve only imagined.
- How Important is Grit? – Grit is the secret sauce! Period. It takes grit to make it to any finish line that’s a challenge.
- A Sense of Urgency – Deadlines help catapult us towards our goals.
So how’s it goin?!
Did you take that first step?
Did you print out the consistency chart?
Did you set a goal and break it down into more doable steps?
Have you started trekking towards your big goal by setting mini goals?
Or, perhaps you’ve faced some discouragement. Don’t worry, we all do. It’s part of the journey. Those times of discouragement or stumbles are what forces us to answer the tough questions:
- Are you serious?
- Are you determined?
- Are you willing to do what it takes?
There are struggles with any kind of goal setting. And that’s okay. I used to have a friend that wanted everything to be easy and I told her to turn her tv off. Commercials lie to you saying, “You deserve a break today,” and “You’re worth it!” Ooooh! Don’t get me wrong – you are worthy and you should get regular breaks… but the connotation is that you deserve to be pampered.
Newsflash – pampering yourself won’t get you to your goal. Sorry. It will take work.
Sometimes to get past the struggles, it takes this last small step that could make a all the difference…
Take a good look around you. What do you see? I’m not talking about the trees, the furnishings, or the immediate vicinity where you are. I’m talking about the relationships in your life.
The people you interact with the most, help to define you. Whether you like that fact or not, it’s true.
There’s a saying that goes like this:
Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.
I’m not sure who to credit for that phrase, but I think Solomon had the original idea. In Proverbs 13:20 he said:
Wise friends make you wise,
but you hurt yourself
by going around with fools. (CEV)
So who’s in your path? Who are the people you spend the most time with and influence you the most…
Are they:
- Positive, uplifting, successful?
- Negative, judgemental, stuck?
Listen, there’s always going to be good willed people who will say the wrong thing at just the right time. That’s what happens when people get too comfortable with each other; our tongues get loose. That’s not necessarily what I’m talking about.
There will always be those people in your life that just don’t want you to be successful and hold you back – either consciously or subconsciously. Maybe they’re insecure, unhappy or unstable for this season.
Plain and simple – if you have a goal that is worth pursuing you need to surround yourself with good people who will spur you on towards your goal.
You need to be sure there are successful, motivated people around you. If you don’t have them, then find them. With the internet it’s easier than ever! Here are some ideas:
- Find or start a Facebook group that targets your interest.
- Find or start a Meetup group. If you aren’t familiar with these, they are groups that you can start in your community that are as exclusive as you want them to be. Meetups are becoming more and more popular!
- Get to know someone who is successfully doing what you want you are interested in. Befriend them, help them, be sure you bring something to the table and learn from watching them. (Don’t be a taker!)
The most important thing you can do is take that first step. Even if it’s a baby step – you’re headed in the right direction….. But remember, you have to start!
_______________________________________________________________________________
If you have a blog and you’d like to linkup your latest article just click the blue INLINKZ button below –
Take a minute to visit other great blogs and spend a little time there too!! Have a blessed week my friends!
Becky Hastings says
Your words are so encouraging today! They are also important. We need to remember the truths laid out. And even more than that, the ultimate truth that comes from God. Love that.
Char says
So so true. Without knowing the source of truth we are all just treading water
KellyRBaker says
I agree, Char! It’s so important to surround yourself with people who believe in you. And I need to look into your consistency chart…
Char says
Thanks for stopping by Kelly. The chart has helped me tremendously because I don’t dare break my chain!!
Lureta says
Thank you for this encouraging post. It is so true…the people we hang around most help define us.
I’ve heard this several times recently. A message for my heart. Blessings!
Michele Morin says
Thanks for this encouragement, Char. I’m coming off a few days of faltering, but today is a new day and I’m starting fresh.
Char says
That’s a wonderful example to us Michele – we all falter. It’s what we do next… go girl go!!
Cheryl Blinston says
I love your remarks about friends. As I look around at my friends, I see some amazing women that I want to be like. They encourage me and inspire me to be better. Thanks for reminding me that I do have such a great source of encouragement.
Char says
We are blessed when we have good people around us! Here’s a shout out to precious and uplifting friends!!!
Patrick Weseman says
I always say “Pound the Rock”. You take a huge rock and start pounding it and it may not look like anything is happening but then all of the sudden it cracks and then it breaks open. Just have to make that first hit.
Thanks for hosting and I hope you have a wonderful week. Great words this week.
Maree Dee says
When I first started reading this I kept thinking, I have failed, but then I realized I had taken baby steps. I have made a plan, bought what I needed and surrounded myself with good people this week. Thank you, your posts are helping me to reach my goal.
Char says
I’m excited for you. We need to acknowledge the progress we make. Often I have very high expectations that make me feel like a failure if I don’t achieve them. So breaking it down into smaller steps is helpful on many levels. Can’t wait to hear your progress.
Lisa notes says
I’m grateful we live in an age where we can find a group of supportive people to connect with much easier than anytime in the past. It still takes a little bit of effort on our part, but always worth it. Thanks for sharing this encouraging step, Char!
Marilyn Lesniak says
Thank you for being so supportive of other bloggers. I think parties are the best social media strategy around!! Thank you for hosting. I linked my Meatless Meals Collection, my Donut Collection and healthy Polish Paczki for Fat Tuesday. I hope you enjoy them! Have a happy week! #OverTheMoon #WWBlogHop #ThursdayFavoriteThings
Donna Reidland says
You’re so right, Char. It’s much easier for those around us to pull us down than for us to pull them up. We need good godly friends who spur us on and encourage us in our walk with God and in all of our goals. Thanks for a great reminder. Thanks, too, for hosting!