Big Dreams, Small Steps

Hello Gold Star Squad, and welcome to Tune Up Tuesday!

Do you remember New Year's Day? We aren't even a full month into 2021, but to me January 1st feels like a lifetime ago.

Did you have grand hopes and dreams for this year? Were you eager to put 2020 behind you and move on to bigger and better things? Did you create a list of goals that you want to accomplish this year?

Well, I sure did! And, honestly, at this point, I am feeling a little stuck.

I know that I have said this before, but times are tough right now. We are still battling COVID. And even though we now can now see a light at the end of the tunnel thanks to the recent development of several different vaccines, there is still no immediate end to our problems in sight.

It's also the dead of winter here in the eastern United States, so it makes it difficult to meet with friends and family outside.

And, of course, there is still a huge political, racial, and economic divide in this country, which certainly will not be magically solved overnight.

All of these things take a toll on us, mentally and emotionally. It's hard not to get dragged down, worn out, and deflated by all that is going on around us.

In times like these, it can feel like life is happening TO us, like we are being swept up in a current that we cannot control. And the gap between where we are and where we would like to be may seem insurmountable.

But you don't have to give up on your dreams. There's no need to forget about them or set them aside to be picked back up when circumstances "improve." It IS possible to take a step back and gain some perspective.

To do this, you can take a few minutes to set an intention of where you would like to go. Then, identify a tiny first step that you can take to get you moving in the right direction. That step should be something that is incredibly small and manageable. It should be something that you can do today. Maybe you can even take that first step right now!

If you want to write a novel, write a paragraph or even a single sentence.

If you want to get in better shape, get up and take a quick walk around the block.

If you want to keep your house cleaner, pick up one or two items and put them away.

This may sound silly, but we have to start somewhere. Dreams don't magically get fulfilled all at once. Just pick something and do it. Once you have, I bet that you will feel at least a little bit better and more in control of your life.

And don't forget to bring a sense of play and adventure to this process. It doesn't have to be a drag!!! Connect with a sense of possibility and joy around your aspiration!

What is one small step that you can take today to move in the direction of your dreams? Let us know in the comments!