Good Morning! Often when we desire change
in our lives it is at a time when we feel
completely OVERWHELMED! Because we feel
overwhelmed with life, we desire change. It is a
catch-22 since the change we desire is hard to
reach because we feel so overwhelmed. Welcome to
the number one reason that people start to
change, and
also the number one reason most people fall off
the wagon.
That is why the MTM program begins with SELF. It
begins with the GOOD MORNING, the positive
messages. We begin with steps that build "us up"
versus tear us down.
There is a great story in Level Six Performance
by Stephen Long about how a hammer isn't
actually a tool until someone picks it up. Until
that point it is just a funny looking shape; may
as well be an art object. The hammer doesn't
derive purpose as a tool until someone uses it.
I have heard a similar analogy with the postage
stamp. Until you put it on something, it is just
a little square piece of paper. We can buy all
the tools in the world, look at them, study
them, but they don't actually become tools until
we start USING them.
Now, to keep going with our hammer analogy...
Imagine that you had never properly used a
hammer before, so you sign up for a building
class. Your first assignment is to go build a
house. How do you think that would work?
I don't think it would work real well. Why?
Well, not only do you not have any practice with
the hammer, a house would also require many
other tools that you likely don't have
experience with. So now you have to master the
hammer--and more! I don't know about you - I
mean I am a persistent gal, but I think even I
would drop out of that class.
But what are many of us trying to do? We are
trying to BUILD HOUSES without first mastering
one tool! I hope when you look at it in this
perspective it gives you a fresh point of view.
We need to stop overwhelming our selves by
looking at the whole picture. On any given day,
if any of us were to look at the whole picture
of life, surely it is overwhelming. So why look
at it? It only paralyzes us and stops us from
making any progress in the only place where we
can be effective -- today -- right now!
Your Turn:
Instead of looking at the whole
picture, focus in on a single area.
Ask: WHAT CAN I DO RIGHT NOW
THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE? And then take that
little step, and another little step, and
another little step. There will always be things
that aren't done - but today we both have 24
hours (less sleep time) to do what matters.
Let's get it done.
Your Affirmation:
Today I focus my attention and energies
on what matters and where I do the most good
