That uncomfortable place.
A few years ago, Kia and I were walking through a really tough time. It was one of those periods of life when we found ourselves in that uncomfortable place. You know…you’ve been there before.
It’s that place in life when you do know what you’re supposed to do. Am I supposed to stay or go. Should I speak or be quiet? Should I act or be still?
The big picture was unclear.
It is THE uncomfortable place as far as I’m concerned.
Life is uncomfortable when everything ahead of you is in a haze. Everything behind might be crystal clear, but that doesn’t help you see into the future.
Tomorrow is uncertain, and that’s uncomfortable.
A lesson in that uncomfortable place.
When Kia and I were in that place (for nearly a year), we found ourselves reminding each other of one simple rule:
Take the next step.
When everything in front of you is unclear and in a haze, take a step. The step doesn’t need to be a leap or vault…just a step.
Even when the big picture is hazy, usually we know the next thing – your literal tomorrow. That step, even small, can feel monumental, and it is the most important thing you can do.
Just take the next step.
ATTACK
My 2015 Word of the Year is ATTACK. I want to ATTACK 2015. I want to do big things. I want to create, write and design.
Most important, I want to end 2015 knowing I did all I could to get myself to my dreams and goals.
As the 2nd month of 2015 is over, let me share with you 2 things I’ve done to continue ATTACKing in 2015
1. Read.
I’m still reading, though it’s taken me a while to get through two larger books I started this month (one I’m still trudging through). Here are a few of the books I just read, am reading or preparing to read:
• Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting – it’s helped me to tell a better story in writing, speaking and living. This is also one of the few books I will re-read.
• Scary Close – written by possibly my favorite author, I’m reading it (nearly finished) to inspire me as much as to learn and grow in intimacy with others.
• The Giver – sometimes, we need something easy for a sense of accomplishment. This classic book was it for me a few weeks ago.
• On Writing Well – this is a book I plan to begin next. It is one of the most praised books on how to write. I need it.
2. Scrivner
You don’t know it, but I’m writing this post with an app called Scrivener. I don’t need to use it for a blog post (I’ve simply used the WordPress editor until now), but I need to learn this software to take the next step in writing.
Scrivener is one of the most suggested tools of professional writers. It is writing, research and organizational tool. It’s deep. I mean it’s crazy deep. So far, I’m just scratching the surface of it’s potential, but it’s a good stretch for me.
It’s a step.
Take a step.
Where ever you find yourself, I encourage you to take a step. The 2 steps I shared are small. By themselves they are insignificant. Together with others and over time, these steps will take me to where I want to go.
What is the next step for you to take?
Go ahead, take a step.
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