Once upon a time, in the not too distant past, I went through a period where I felt like my future self was just over the next hill. Just past the next obstacle, which there always seemed to be plenty of. I wanted to start a business so bad I could barely hold back my enthusiasm for when it (self-employment) would deliver itself into my lap.
I spent a lot of time “getting inspired”. I would read books about entrepreneurs. Then I would switch to the writing aisle and read about writing. Then I found the self-help section. And, oh boy, did I have a hay day with that one.
When I wasn’t reading, I was researching domain names. Or web hosts. Or e-commerce platforms. Or…whatever stuff a business owner needed to do business. It’s like I was waiting for my real life to begin so that I could be the person I dreamed of being. If I could just get past these obstacles to my ideal life, then I would be content.
One day (probably after getting much needed advice from my spouse), it finally occurred to me that all this inspiration seeking, preparation, and dreaming was my life. For many, many years I was in hurry up and wait mode. Waiting to live the life I was already living.
You know you would be great at running your own side gig, your own itty biz, if given the chance—the chance to do what? Run your own business. You know you would be less stressed if you could push away from the edge of financial calamity if given the chance—the chance to do what? Push away from the edge.
Give Yourself a Chance!
I don’t have to overcome obstacles, I just need to move beyond these first steps. I don’t need to see every possible problem that might, or might not, manifest itself. I just need to see the next step.
It’s easy to get caught up in the passion and inspiration mode (Someday I’ll have a business. Someday I’ll have money in the bank). You’ve got to give yourself a chance by moving beyond the dreaming phase.
For some of us, the next step may mean starting to tell people we’re in business. Or buying that domain we’ve been checking on every day for a month now. Or tracking our finances with a small notebook and pen. You don’t need fancy schmantzy software to figure out where your money goes. You just need to…do something…do anything.
Taking action on whatever the next step you need to take has real power. When you take action, the giant wheel called possibility begins to turn. You can’t foresee what will happen but you’ll never see if you don’t give yourself a chance.
I’ve written before about earning extra income so you can finally get a little financial breathing room. What’s the next step you need to take in that direction? Taking that art class? Picking up the phone and making that call?
Try this. Write a list of things you could do towards reaching your ideal financial life. Things that would take ten to fifteen minutes to complete. Examples include: clearing off your desk and making a dedicated space for bill paying, registering a new domain name so you can sell your crafts on Etsy.com.
Those obstacles you’re trying to overcome? So you can get on with your life? They are your life. Embrace them.