I live in the Northern part of the United States and the winter can be a little rough at times. Usually I get up early and go do my morning workout. On this particular day it was different.
I had done my morning routine and was ready to go. My bag was packed and I had opened the door to the garage, then I looked at the driveway.
I knew an ice/snow storm had started overnight, but when I looked at my driveway it was a sheet of ice. If you have seen the effects of an ice storm you know what I am talking about. I threw salt on the driveway and changed my plan.
We have a steep driveway and I didn’t want to crash into the neighbor’s car parked on the street and I wasn’t sure I would make it back up my driveway once I left. Now I didn’t know what to do because my morning workout is my coffee.
My motivation had dipped and I was tempted to go back to bed for a little bit, but instead I went into the basement. I hung up my TRX Band straps and turned on some Rocky music and started working out.
I will spare you the details of my workout, but I accomplished the goal of 30 minutes of elevating my heartrate and felt pretty good afterwards. As I thought about this there are a few leadership lessons to be learned from simply getting in motion whether that is to exercise or to move toward accomplishing your personal and/or professional vision as you start this new year.
Motion first and emotion later
Whether exercising, going out to make a sales call, preparing or whatever tempts us to procrastinate we all have crafty ways to stall our motion. Look at the word “emotion.” I am not an expert in words, but I do see most of the word is motion and the “e” has to catch up. Emotion is simply energy in motion. Maybe we would benefit from reminding ourselves to “Do it NOW” so we get in motion quickly.
Give yourself success steps
As I started my workout I wanted to get my heart rate up quick and warm up achy joints so I ran in place. I accomplished that small goal and moved on to the next small goal. After accomplishing multiple small goals I ended up completing the entire workout. Whatever the goal is, take small steps in the direction of the vision, celebrate the victories, then move on.
Persevere
When you are at minute one of a 30 minute workout it looks overwhelming. As you have set goals for the new year maybe they are overwhelming you. Keep taking one step at a time and follow your plan, adjusting when necessary and you will reach the destination.
Enjoy the process
This is a challenge for me because I just want to get there. I have to remind myself to slow down, connect with others who are on the journey with me and enjoy the benefits of the process.
As you set goals for this new year, get in motion and keep moving one step at a time. Which of these four steps do you need to grow in? Do you need someone to help you in that process? Contact me for a no cost thirty-minute thinking partner session to help you think into these goals and more. Lead well.
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