One simple action to get ahead in business (& in life)
Note: This article may contain affiliate links, which is basically just you giving me a (very) small monetary high-five for referring something great your way!
If you’re anything like me, your world seems to reside in a state of constant movement.
I have a full-time job, spend my spare time renovating properties or working on my business, and somehow manage to squeeze in time to pop a Stouffeur’s in the oven for the Keithster and I while we drink wine on the couch & catch-up on our day.
It’s like being the child of Olivia Pope & Leslie Knope in the best & worst kinds of way.
But here’s the thing: I have big dreams just like the rest of you (you can check out what they exactly are on my About Me page!), and I am an eager beaver to see them accomplished, like, yesterday.
Except when I’m not.
THE SIMPLE ACTION I USE TO GET AHEAD IN BUSINESS (& LIFE)
Flashback to 7th grade science class when we all learned about Newton’s 1st Law of Motion: An object in motion stays in motion and an object at rest remains at rest. I learned that in the context of a marble being pushed across a wooden floor, but it has since also taken hold on how I lead my life.
WHEN I’M IN MOTION, I STAY IN MOTION. AND WHEN I REST, I STAY AT REST.
It’s why many nights I don’t eat until 9pm. I know as soon as I sit down, my productivity is going to plummet. And when I have a mountain of tasks on my to-do list, I need to keep my motor running at a Level-10.
However, I, like everyone else, also have those moments when my motivation is low.
When I just want to binge Gilmore Girls for an entire Sunday afternoon.
Or spend a night after work getting drinks with my friends.
Or just have one entire weekend spent away from my laptop.
But my goals don’t always allow that. Yes, there are moments when I know for my personal sanity that I need rest. But there are also times when I’m just being lazy. When I rested, and then want to continue resting.
What has helped me combat that?
KNOWING THAT IF I DO JUST ONE LITTLE THING, ONE BABY STEP TOWARDS MY GOALS, I’LL FEEL BETTER ABOUT MY DAY.
It may not be major – maybe it’s paying a bill or hopping on Insta Stories or responding to an email.
But what is major is that one thing puts me in motion.
I go from resting to moving, and it typically pushes me to do one more thing. And one more thing. And one more. Until I’ve ultimately found the motivation I was lacking 15 minutes earlier, and my journey towards my goals is in full swing again.
Does it happen every time? Absolutely not.
Sometimes I check that one task off and back to my little couch I go to munch on popcorn and a diet Ginger Ale.
But forcing myself to do things even when I don’t want to has helped me transform that turnaround into a habit.
It’s an exercise that helps me be a better coach, advisor, wife, friend, and business owner, and one I hope I can convince you to take on as well.
If you want to dive deeper into this, check out The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson. This book introduced me to this concept years ago, and I think it’s one of the reasons I can, according to my husband, “tear through a task list” in no time.
Otherwise, this lady (& I’m sure all entrepreneurs) would love to hear about the tricks you use to revamp your motivation – give us your secret in the comments below!
Until then,
Xoxo - BK
