My late father-in-law spent his entire career helping to build locomotives. We loved watching trains, and when we were driving together, getting stopped by a train was a special event. Diesel locomotives are so powerful, and yet they start off so S-L-O-W. In time, the train gets up to full speed, and heaven help any vehicle that tries to stop it.
In the past year my wife spent some time going through old project lists and recipes. Her goal was to DECIDE what projects she still wanted to do and discard the ones she has lost interest in.
One project she chose was a Christmas calendar wreath project. It contained a hand-stitched wreath adorned by 24 ornaments. She had started it 40 years ago. She decided (key word) she wanted to complete it, and pass it along to our grandchildren. She committed to a certain time each day to work on the project for a half hour. She stuck with her “single daily action” and made no exceptions or excuses. When the holiday season came around, she presented the gift.
Since completing the project, she has found a renewed source of energy, focus, and commitment. I must admit some of that has rubbed off on me. The experience of taking action on something important that we have been procrastinating can be liberating. The wreath project was a hit, and provided us both with a sense of renewal.
Here is my challenge to you: Select a project or goal that you want to do but have put off doing. Break it down into an action plan. Seize the first opportunity to act. Start strong. Persist. Triumph! You will feel great. Get the freight train rolling!
