On following through
Can you keep your word to yourself?
Telling yourself that you’re going to do something is great, so long as you follow through. But how often do you actually follow through on the things that you say you’re going to do? If you’re reading this, you may have encountered this issue where your vision of a better future requires an imposition on the self, which often fails. How does one actually set out to do what they say they’re going to do, and actually do it?
Picture this: you’re getting set to implement a new year’s resolution. Everything is written down on paper, and you’ve clearly thought that following through on these changes will dramatically improve your life across time. Let’s say that involves working out. So, the first few weeks you’re going pretty regularly but then you start to slip up, other responsibilities arise etc. Before you know it, you’re right back on the couch. What happened?
Having an intention to make things better or at the very least to stop making things worse is essential, but it is not enough. You need to go further and accept the invitations that will emerge as you orient yourself towards that goal. These invitations will not always feel comfortable, because they require taking action in a direction that has yet to be mapped by you. Be ready to deal with the inner resistance that is going to attempt to derail you from ever making it happen. Think about it… how many times do you say you’re going to change something and actually believe yourself in the moment, but when the time comes to show that change, you shy away?
This might be happening because:
- You’ve built momentum in the opposite direction, and that has become habitualized.
- You’ve internalized a (false) belief that you’re not capable of changing for the better.
- It’s overwhelmingly difficult, and you’re currently not capable of attaining your goal.
- It’s going to require certain sacrifices that you’re less willing to make than you know.
Have the big bold vision, and keep that, but start small. In the beginning, do less than you feel you’re capable of. Make notes (on paper!) of the aspects of your unconsciousness that are inhibiting you from following through. Everything has its opposite, even good intentions. Write this all down, and most importantly – know how you’re going to measure success. The standards that we set up for our inner scorecards determine how we feel about ourselves as we strive towards becoming a better version of ourselves.
This means seriously understanding our values, and how we are going to embody them. I’ll be writing more on that in a later post, but until then, dream big, start small, and keep showing up.
