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
