One Step At a Time
Sometimes it can feel like trying to climb the steps to the top of the Washington monument … Many of us who write these blogs often get criticized for being “pie in the sky enthusiasts.” We push you to do better, think more broadly, go after your dreams, and then tell you if you work hard enough you too can achieve the dream of all dreams … what we forget is all of this can be quite daunting. Many attempt to work toward their goals, but when they are such a long way off, we sometimes falter. So you are right … perhaps we do push too hard. There is another way.
Take small steps … Set and achieve small goals to feel success. To remain motivated, be a turtle that takes one step at a time, but don’t forget you have long range plans. My answer -- set short term goals along the way and you will slowly get where you want to go. So you feel rewarded, make these short term goals very attainable … almost like you can check them off the to-do list when you go to the grocery store. There can be a great sense of accomplishment when you make that list for the day, and then actually see all the boxes checked off showing you have completed your list.
Sitting down for a few minutes and setting the daily or weekly goals can be very rewarding. My method is to sit down at the end of each day and evaluate how I did, then prepare for the next. I actually use my computer’s calendar to make sure I accomplished all my tasks. I then plan out the next day or couple of days, assess my goals, and attempt to hit the four areas I have mentioned in my other blogs; Health, People, Finances, and Fun (burning off the stress).
A final thought -- Spiritual well-being may be the most important. Finally, I must respond to “Charles”, a reader that wrote to me about my last blog. He rightfully mentioned I had failed to discuss, “Faith or spiritual well-being.” Now, I won’t attempt to apologize to Charles, but only say this, I do have a very powerful belief in something much larger than myself. I believe things happen for a reason and I can’t always influence everything in my life. Tina, my wife, and I have made it through some tough times in our 32 years of marriage; being moved 17 times in a 26 year career in the military for one, safely making it through three combat tours in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan for another. I do believe I got the “safe” places to be and “safe” combat sorties because someone was watching over me and still does day in and day out. I go to church most weekends. So, thank you Charles for reminding me there is something larger than me. It is a good lesson for all of us … Think about it and take Turtle steps this week and succeed!
My best Veterans… and “Check Six” …
VR
“SHoes” SHoes.DelGrego@gmail.com
