Spiraling Out of Control

Are you spiraling out of control? Losing site of your goals? Feeling completely unmotivated? Zapped of all energy? Yeah, me too.  But I am here to tell you that we can shift our thinking and by doing so, our actions will follow suit.  What exactly does this mean for us? Well, it can put us back on the road to success and put us in a place where we are able to share our stories with others in hopes that they will be inspired to change their lives as well. It is a domino effect. We get help, we help people, they help themselves and others. Pay it forward.

Often times we hear the phrases, “Don’t look at the whole staircase, just take the first step,” or “Every journey begins with just one step.” Wonderful! I am so fabulous at taking that first step so much so that I own that first step! But the problem is that I end up tripping about halfway up the staircase and tend to feel dizzy as I look at the never-ending spiral of stairs. It is like a symbol of where I am as I actually spiral out of control of my life.  I hit a wall and my motivation is running on empty and my energy level reminds me of the little engine that could as the phrase “I think I can, I think I can” repeats vehemently in my head.

BUT I CAN’T!!! (or so I keep telling myself)

The funny thing is that I have learned along the way is that I must be willing to change my vocabulary – thanks Jen! I can do anything if I just believe that I can do it. Replacing negative vocabulary with positive vocabulary can set us on the right track every time. Positive energy will freely flow and gives us a boost of energy to accomplish things even on a small scale. Filling our minds with negative words can and will eventually cause us to lose focus and our will power will be drained. It is our choice to make every day. If you find yourself filling your spirit with negative choices, make it a point to start fresh at the next chance you get to do so.

To take another step often feels like I have cement feet and what once was not a problem- now seems impossible.

I am a pro at starting and stopping.

I get discouraged. I lose faith in myself and completing anything I have started seems like a burden. So what happens? I end up giving up or at least slowing down -like way down- even a snail could pass me. It is rare that I reach the finish line or the proverbial top of the staircase because I set limits on myself or try to rationalize my failure to do the tasks required to succeed.

Let’s face it; I am a pro at making excuses.

It may not seem like making excuses at the time the words leave your mouth or the thoughts enter your head, but trust me, it is an excuse every time. I have had the distinct privilege of working with two of the most amazing health coaches (Hi Jackie & Melissa!) over the past 7 months. They have invested so much time and energy into me and helping me on reaching my goals. I have learned so much from them about my own patterns, my weaknesses, my strengths. I have learned a whole new language. Granted, I am currently working my way out of another deep hole of quicksand but they taught me some valuable lessons that I am able to carry with me and reference when needed. I also read an article online a few months ago that gave great insight to having energy to reach goals. So let me share some what I have learned with you.

LOOK AT WHERE YOU STARTED
It isn’t about how far you have yet to travel. The whole staircase is daunting when you have your arms full of baggage, your heart full of insecurities and your mind full of yesterday’s failures. So release all of that and take a look behind you once in awhile and see just how far you have already traveled! YOU have done the work so far. Keep going. It doesn’t matter how long it takes you to reach the top, just keep moving! Celebrate everything, no matter how small, that you have accomplished towards finishing a goal. This is a part of filling your spirit with the positives. It is affirmation that you are capable of doing anything with determination. You just have to let go of all of the negatives that hold you back time after time. Rejoice in each step you take because it is kind of a big deal! So stop focusing on how far you have to go. It doesn’t matter how many times you fall, it is about how many times you rise again.

RESET YOUR FOCUS
Your wants and needs will change throughout your journey. What that means is that you will have to reassess the goals you had and see if you need to reset your focus. It is perfectly okay, and necessary sometimes, to re-evaluate and toss away anything that no longer serves you on your journey to reach your goal or bank them for later. Creating new goals allows your focus to reset and gives you a chance to be excited all over again. Motivation follows excitement.

Every moment is a chance to start over again. The more you fill your spirit with positive choices, the easier it becomes to remain on a path of success and starting over again and again will slow down and not be such a repetitive concept in your life. Do not focus on the entire laundry list of things you have to do in order to be your ideal person. Set aside one or two smaller goals and work on them until you achieve them. This is when you can move on and start checking off things on the list.

TAKE OUT THE TRASH
What this means is to simply declutter your life, your environment and remove distractions. We all are caught up in things that distract us on a daily basis and that eventually leads to making excuses. If we want to reach out goals; we have to be willing to shut down facebook and leave the candy crushing to another sweet tooth.  Kids are screaming? Send them outside or find a friend that will help you by taking them for a few hours so you can reset your focus to where it needs to be. It is perfectly okay to carve out some “me time” especially if you want to make progress on your ever growing laundry list of “to-do” and goals.

BREAK TIME
Sometimes, we are just so burned out that we really do need a break from working on our goals. Being so exhausted that you just stare off into space with a confused look on your face could very well mean that it is break time. Take a moment to refresh and recharge and then get back on the right course.

BE REAL. BE HONEST.
If you have done all you can to keep going forward and I mean doing the work that is required of you but the cement feet have totally taken its toll on your energy and will power then it is time to be honest. Maybe this is just not the right time to work on whatever goal you are chipping away at. It might be time to release that particular goal until you are in a healthier place; mind, body, and spirit, to accomplish it.

You are NOT a failure if you have to put a goal on hold. Being honest and real with yourself is never a failure. It actually serves in your best interest to live a successful life. If it is a true goal that you want to accomplish, you must have faith that you will revisit it when the time is truly right. It might take days, months or even years but settle it in your soul that you are capable and you are worth it and you know you can do it. Now is not the time and that is okay. Really, it is. You have lived a negative lifestyle for too long, it is time to shift your thoughts and actions to be positive and uplifting. It is time to have faith in yourself and your God.

Remember, you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!!

What positive words can you list about yourself? What mini goals can you set that won’t stress you out or send you into a tailspin? Please know that you are not alone. We are all in this together.

Be kind to yourself today! Be a blessing!