A Winner Is …

… just a loser who tried one more time. George Leonard, in his book Mastery, reminds us that it may take many steps to arrive at a destination. That might look like two steps forward and one step back, or even one step forward and three steps back. The key is realizing the steps backward or even the long plateaus with no advancement are not reasons to quit.

People with attention deficit disorder are likely to try things that are new and exciting, but when they become boring or difficult, well… I took lessons in guitar, clarinet, piano, and flute and can play nary a one because I gave up at the plateau. If I realized then that a plateau was a great time for integration, I might play a musical instrument today.

Working towards goals may mean developing new habits that are not immediately comfortable. A plateau gives you time to acclimate and work that habit into your mindset as well as your routine.

Back steps are opportunities for evaluation. You might check to see if you’re on the “right path” for the “right reason,” and using the “right approach.” Everyone finds themselves doing something that doesn’t feel great. That’s a time to check in with your what, why, and how of the thing to make sure you are being true to your values.

Think about a goal you have for 2021. How committed are you to achieving it? Remember the quote by John Assaraf: “If you’re interested, you will do what is convenient; if you’re committed, you’ll do whatever it takes.”

Need help? Here I am.

– Sydney Metrick