The path of least resistance. We’ve all heard the phrase. It makes sense to use the path of least resistance much of the time. I’m not one of those people who think you should shake up everything in your life just for the experience.
If you live long enough, you find circumstances shake things up plenty, and it can be good to have some well-worn paths to follow.
However, striking out with something new can be good, too, you just have to be prepared.
Forging a new path is harder. You have to push through the obstacles and find your way with no tracks to follow.
If you’re lucky, you might have a mentor or guide, but it’s still tough going at times.
Here’s three things you can do to make it easier on yourself:
1 – create a support system
2 – make a plan
3 – be ready for the discouraging word
Let’s look at these.
Create a Support System
Surround yourself with people who believe in you. This is a quantity over quality issue. You don’t need a lot of people, just people who will help you stay on tract and encourage you when the going gets tough. And it will get tough, so make sure your support team knows what you need from them and can provide it.
Make a Plan
Some people think of a plan as a map, but once you hammer out the initial details I see it more as a flashlight. Here’s why: You are going along just fine until the sun goes down and it gets dark. Suddenly you are disoriented. Lost. You stumble because you can’t see where you’re going. You can’t keep your eye on the goal, because it’s disappeared in the blackness.
Then…
You realize you have a flashlight. You push a button and your light blinks on. It helps you get back on the path. It illuminates what’s coming next. You can take a step at a time and you WILL get there.
Be Ready for the Discouraging Word
You will hear plenty. Often from other people. What will surprise you is how much you hear from the little voice in your head that NEVER seems to think you have what it takes, or that you can do this. Who is that voice? Does it matter?
I think it’s less important to figure out who and why it’s there and more important to realize NO ONE ESCAPES. Whether it’s a dysfunctional mother, the nuns in school, the neglectful father – everyone has someone in their head who throws rocks at our dreams.
Who cares? Once you see that it’s a common problem you realize plenty of people have pushed through that nay-sayer and gone on to achieve success.
How do they do it?
IGNORE THE DISCOURAGING WORD! Reject the voice. Rely on your plan, and your support team and believe in yourself.
It’s hard. No doubt about it.
That’s why there’s the saying: “If it was easy, anyone could do it.”
So don’t be just “anyone”. Do the things “anyone” doesn’t. Learn what you need to know, figure out an achievable way to accomplish your goals and don’t give up.
The path of least resistance has its place in your life, but the one less traveled, whether chosen or forced upon you, is where you’ll find out who you really are.
What fresh path are you going to explore? Share it below…
