“Breaking new ground only takes a small amount more effort than you’re used to giving.” David Cain – 88 Important Truths I have Learned About Life
I was surfing around the blogosphere the other day and came across this insight. It really is so true.
So often we build things up in our mind to be way bigger than they actually are. We convince ourselves that what we want is going to take so much work and require so much of our attention and focus.
We end up putting our dreams on hold because we convince ourselves we just don’t have the time right now to begin taking the steps we would need to in order to be successful.
I have a full time job and responsibilities to take care of.
I have kids that need all of my attention.
I am already working way too many hours and am exhausted.
There is just not enough time in the day for me to take on anything new.
Does any of that sound familiar? I know I have definitely had some of those thoughts. But, if we really think about it and are being honest with ourselves … aren’t those really just excuses?
Haven’t we just projected something in our minds to be HUGE and then found a way to talk ourselves out of pursuing it?
Well, today is the day to break it all apart.
Granted we may have BIG dreams but the steps we need to take to reach our dreams are never too big to take.
All we have to do is get over that initial mental barrier that is holding us back and commit to taking that first step.
Yes, we may have to work a little harder. We may have to juggle things around. But, don’t we all want to break new ground? Don’t we all want to do something that we feel is extraordinary?
Life has never been about maintaining the status quo.
how to break new ground:
- Break down any limiting beliefs that you don’t have the time to do something BIG you desire. You have way more time available in the day than you may think.
- Plan how you will make more time everyday. Be open to changing your daily routine if necessary. You may have to get up a little earlier or watch tv a little less. Be willing to change things around to make room for taking that first step. The key is to make a plan and follow it because otherwise you will just continue to convince yourself you don’t have the time.
- Break down any limiting beliefs that you don’t have the ability to do something BIG you desire. You have amazing potential. You just have to realize it and continually (every morning) remind yourself of that reality.
- Take action now. Don’t wait until tomorrow to get moving on taking that first step. Plan what you are going to do and do it now. Do it today. It doesn’t matter how big or small that first step is … just take it. Many of us are masters at putting things off until we think the time is perfect. The perfect time will not just magically appear. You have to make the time perfect and move.
- Take steps daily. Do something every single day that will help you move in the direction you want to go. Some days you may have more time than others to devote to what you want to do. However, it is important to do something every single day (no matter how small) to keep things moving in the right direction.
Hi Sibyl,
I can relate to this. I feel overwhelmed at times with still working full time along with everything else I’m trying to accomplish. Your tips are very practical and useful. Thank you – just what I needed to read today.
Hey Anglea: So glad that the article came to you at the right time. I always love when that happens. I know I have had that happen to me several times while visiting your site:) Thanks for dropping by.
OMG…I needed this splash of water. And the David Cain quote was spot on! Limiting beliefs will keep you in a mediocre existence. Who wants mediocre? No one. I enjoyed your tips on breaking new ground. The only one I would add is: Have an extraordinary cheerleader. There are times when you’re breaking new ground where you begin to second-guess yourself. You’re out of your comfort zone and are hella scared. Having someone to call (text, email, etc) when you’re feeling over-the-edge-crazy, can help you continue to work towards your extraordinary dream.
Great stuff…as always.
Hey Shay. So true. That is a GREAT addition to the list and I am a believer in having that cheerleader by your side. It helps to have someone that is always helping you push forward and has your best interest at heart. So glad that you loved the quote by David … isn’t it a great one
Hi Sibyl,
Excellent post! I believe we all have been there at one point. The key is to change our perspective and mentality. If we think about it, we all have 24 hours a day, so why some accomplish more than others? What it comes down to is they way they think and the way they plan things. If we can devote one hour a day to work on our goals, we can then achieve great results with time. Thanks for sharing my friend
So true. Even if we just devote 1 hour a day to make some progress toward our goals, we will can be assured we will move in the right direction. Thanks so much for the comment Dia. Always great to hear your thoughts.
Hi Sibyl,
Glad to be back. I wrote an article on limiting beliefs a while back as well. Believing that you can’t do something is self sabotage. You have to put those beliefs to the test. Whether can or can’t do something will depend on if you actually tried. Like you said, sometimes you just need to put in a little more effort than your used to make things happen. Taking action is imperative.
Awesome post!
Lots of important tips for breaking through the limits we so often place on ourselves, Sibyl!
It can be so difficult to juggle career, family, outside responsibilities and try adding something as time-consuming as a blog. As passionate about what I do as I am, it is a challenge sometimes to carve out the minutes here and there to do it decently.
Thank you for the advice and motivation to stay the course!
As an achiever, I’m a fan of breaking new ground.
At the end of the day, I found the key pattern is that I always have to carve out time for it. I do so by both scheduling time for my venture, but also setting a limit on all the “stuff” that goes into maintaining the status quo.
Additionally, I try to find ways to leverage my existing workflow, and I look for any synergy where possible. This amplifies the impact of the time I already spend.
J.D. Thanks for the comment and for sharing those great tips. You are so right that you have to schedule the time to break ground. Everything else you are doing will not just automatically pause. You have to make the time to take care of your normal things and most importantly schedule the time to break new ground:)
Hi Sibyl — I’m so glad to have come across your great, positive-thinking site! This self-limitation post is great — recalls, for me, the old maxim that, if you want to make sure the job you’re assigning gets done, give it to a very busy person. These are the lucky folks who don’t complain, don’t make excuses, and always seem to find a way. Don’t you think it’s at least partly about faith?
Keep up the good work!!
I would agree with you Jeffrey that faith definitely is a part of the picture. You really do have to believe in yourself and the fact that everything will unfold just as it should. Thanks so much for the comment and thanks for stopping by.
Sibyl, I think it is said in exactly right words: “do something extraordynary”! It is so right, I was wondering how to call this feeling of” breaking the new ground”? At first, I thought it may be breaking a rule, a schedule, you know, this plan for a life: school, university, 9-5 work, marriage, kids, … and so on, and so on. Sometimes it seemes everything is planned – how it has to be and you are like not let to brake this rule. But acctually it isn’t… You are right, to do something extraordynary, are the right words. Breaking rules, being against someting never works, surely not so positrvely like… just creating and doing something exatrordynary!!! Thank you for the post!:)
Hey Zanetka: you are very welcome. So glad that you enjoyed the post and thanks for stopping by. It really is all about doing something extraordinary;)
Hello Sibyl,
Thanks for this wonderful post. It is really very useful in our daily lives. I have even started the practice of not complaining about whatever happens around. It is difficult however, I am trying.
Sumant: You are so welcome. I am glad that you liked the post and am so happy that you have started the practice of not complaining. I really do think you are going to notice a positive impact right away. I agree with you that it is challenging, but stick with it and feel free to ask me any questions:)