I get it. As I’m here being accosted by mad scientists, I understand how it feels wondering if you have what it takes to do what needs to be done. The good news is you have all the tools you need to succeed.
Now, the question is, do I?
Missing What’s Right in Front of Us
It’s amazing how the mind works. We often don’t see what we should, but instead see what we don’t want to.
For instance, don’t think of a pink elephant. What are you thinking about? Does it have tentacles and flora growing out of its head? Oh… seriously?!? Your pink elephants sound boring.
Let’s try a different exercise. This one’s easy. You simply need to look around your room and count all the red objects for 10 seconds. Ready? Go!
Done? Now close your eyes and see how many blue objects you remember.
How challenging was that to do? When we focus on one thing, we often miss what’s right in front of us. Which is why I say you have all the tools you need to succeed; you simply might be overlooking them.
Mad Scientists and Their Instagators
Now I face these mad scientists and their instagators. For the record, I’m not misspelling that. Mad scientists have created a special serum where a few drops in toxic ooze creates hoards of subservient alligators instantly.
I wonder how I can distract a bunch of alligators. Wait. I have my friend’s body with me. I mean, he’s still alive – or, I guess – undead. And he enjoys playing with alligators.
And there he goes.
You know, I don’t usually call my friend a tool – well actually his name is A’tul, so I guess I always call him A’tul. But in this case, when I needed a tool, I had A’tul. And now the mad scientists have left in frustration as the alligators are just having a great time like a bunch of mutant pups.
Just like me you to have all the tools you need to succeed. You just have to know how to use them.
Using the Tools You Have
There are several tools you have at your disposal that make success straightforward. When you are trying to accomplish something and don’t know how, just remember you have all the tools you need to succeed.
Here are the three things you that help you the most when moving forward:
- Make the Task Small: Don’t focus on reading a chapter or doing two pages of homework. Instead, focus on reading a paragraph or a single homework problem. Making the task too big makes it seem scary and often leads to thinking “If I try, I’ll fail”. Making it small makes it easy to move forward, and you’ll be surprised at how much you might do. Sometimes you have to do less to do more.
- Countdown: Once you have defined the task, start counting down from 5. By the time you get to 1, be in motion. It’s amazing how much motivation a little push will give you.
- Look for the Fun: Find ways to make the task fun. When I knew those instagators would attack, I knew that A’Tul would have a blast. I was excited about helping him enjoy the opportunity. Finding the bright spots make it hopeful.
You have all the tools you need to succeed. If you ever want help, get in touch with me. I love to keep sending ideas and inspiration to those who want to do great things. Especially if they don’t have alligators. I’m not a fan.
