and 5 simple steps to uncover it
I’ll never forget the day I wanted to yank my hair out and ask for a refund. It seemed overly simplistic. We were teamed up and tasked to pinpoint the one action that can alter everything. Or rather, come face-to-face with, “what’s stopping me from being my best?” If I could capture this, then I could identify the one action that substantially creates progress in my life.
B-I-N-G-O!
She got it. She really got it. Me, not so much.
Allow me to explain. Ten years ago I was attending a leadership conference when Sally (not her real name of course) and I were paired up as each others’ “camp buddy.”
During an outside break, we were to share what the one action we’d take over the next 6 weeks to reach new goals. Sally’s eyes filled up with big crocodile tears. With deep conviction she said, “I know what I’m supposed to do. From now on I’m going to set my alarm for 7:00 a.m. and that’s it. This will transform everything. It’s decided.”
I was surprised and queried, “So it’s decided?”
I thought, “So an alarm for 7:00, huh? Why not 6:52 or 7:03?” Sally had clearly set her intention and I felt it my duty to support her. Still befuddled by her conclusion I wondered how setting an alarm clock could seriously be the one action that accelerates results.
In spite of my disdain for annoying alarm clocks, something snapped and I understood what she meant. Of course, this epiphany happened when Sally explained a simple five-step strategy that uncovered the one action that we could take to power through to our goals.
1) Identify the lie/s.
2) Slam the door on excuses.
3) Poof! The one life-altering action appears!
4) Tell it, do it, and walk with accountability.
5) Celebrate the results.
This was not Sally’s first rodeo! (not literally, that’s Texan for she’s no novice) She was on a mission. I asked her to elaborate so I too could move past anything stopping me. Sally confided that she was re-auditing the leadership course because it had proven to be super beneficial. She explained where her mental condition had been a few years back as she walked me through the five steps that can propel us to that one trigger action that creates a lasting domino effect.
First, Sally exposed the lies. She believed she could never be a healthy size 8 again. She believed she didn’t have time to take care of herself by preparing nutritious meals or working out 3-4 times a week. Sally explained that the feeling of overwhelm and fitting into a size 16 left her stuck in the mud.
Second, she decided to slam the door on the excuses and devise a plan instead. Sally realized she made choices based solely on convenience rather than substance. She took charge, reached out to a neighbor friend for support. Together they agreed to start walking 3 times a week for 45 minutes. Sally also chose to shop for groceries on Friday so she could plan out and prepare meals during the weekend. These two choices really helped her get after two of her biggest excuses.
Third, Sally took on her one big action she KNEW would change everything. She pinpointed where things had gone awry. She recognized that shortly after her best friend’s fatal car accident she fell victim to sugar and processed carbs. It was understandable. Sugar had become her solace and comfort. Sally shared that it too, had also be her “socially-acceptable crack”. A radical choice to cut out sugar from her diet all together ensued. She was convinced this one action would give her the freedom she wanted– and it did.
Fourth, Sally told her immediate family and close circle of friends what she was up to. She did so to receive support, and frankly, there were times that she was challenged by friendly sabotage. However, there were those who rallied around her efforts, inciting accountability.
Fifth, when Sally hit her goal she booked a weekend getaway to the beach with her husband. She commissioned him to help her pick out two great outfits; one for a special dinner and another for pictures that would be taken to celebrate their upcoming 10-year anniversary. She took this opportunity to whip out her cell phone and show me her favorite photos of that day.
Sally’s one decision brought about desired results of health and confidence. What’s more is that this one decision to nix sugar and processed carbs brought about a tremendous friendship with her walking partner. The results didn’t stop there. She shared with me that her marriage had vastly improved because she no longer craved what made her body feel bad. Instead, she chose to work on the deeper issues and in time, new patterns of health, acceptance and joy took the once dark place.
I’m about to reconnect with Sally on a monthly call. I look forward to hearing how setting an alarm at 7:00 a.m. continues to drastically transform her life.
While I’m still not a fan of alarm clocks, I did decide one the one action I’d take to change everything. I chose to give up my night owl status. Now my one action of hitting the hay earlier is making all the difference in the world. Who knew? Bedtime at 10:30 sets my world in motion, my mind at ease and my goals on the fast track.
Over to you!
Are you up to taking that one action that can create the remarkable results you crave as an entrepreneur or health adventurer? If so, tell us in the comments below. We’ll be happy to cheer you on as you pick up more lift!
At this point, I’m not able to pin down just one action that will change the course of my life. There are many relatively small, basic actions that I need to take. Yet I know that if I choose more than one at a time, the chances of me actually sticking with them are slim. The 7am thing is much too radical at this point for this stay at home mom, but… I’m a proud multitasker and love to get things done while I would otherwise be “wasting” time, like when standing in line at the bank or sitting at a long red light. But after filling those times with, well, mostly Facebook for a couple years now, I realize that I’ve replaced much of my thinking, prayer and meditation time with silly videos and depressing political articles and this has become a habit. When I find myself waiting in a lineup without my phone, I actually panic. Then I realize that there are really special, interesting people around me and I begin to tune in. Wow, what I’ve been missing! The same applies at home where there are so many important ways to spend my time and it’s too easy to pick up my phone and check my FB notifications. SO… I’m making a change. I’m deleting the FB app from my phone and I’m moving my computer to the basement, so it’s not so handy of an escape. I will still follow and support my peeps on FB, but with more discretion and at specific times. FB app is now deleted! Whew! Thanks for the inspiration Paige! 🙂
I love how you arrived at your decision! Thank you for showing us how you processed your way to it. 🙂 How fantastic you are living life more outside of FB. Looks like you are going for more substance and this will make life more satisfying!