Sometimes our life becomes stuck because it’s so much easier and safer watching from the park position. When you are parked, there is no chance of accident, risk or injury. It’s safer, but it doesn’t get you anywhere. It’s only when you shift from park to drive that you actually start having momentum and getting somewhere.
If you want to get somewhere in life then it’s time to go from park to drive and get on the journey of reaching your destination. In other words, it’s time to start moving. Sitting idle will get you nowhere.
Think of your life like the gearshift in your vehicle. If you want to move forward, you have to physically move that gearshift from park to drive. That is the only way you will ever move forward. If you want your life to start moving forward then there are some shifts that you will have to make in order to start producing momentum and movement that you get your wheels moving.
Here are three simple life shifts that will get you going.
Shift Your Thinking
The way you thought yesterday has gotten you to where you are today. You must begin to think differently in order to reach your destination tomorrow. Start thinking more positive thoughts about where you are and where you are heading. If you think like a winner you will act like a winner.
Some people still haven’t learned this simple little step, and it has hindered their efforts in reaching their dreams. When you think better thoughts about yourself, then you actually begin to believe in yourself. When you believe in yourself, you have the motivation you need to start moving forward.
Don’t allow your thinking to be based upon past failures and mistakes. Dwelling on past mistakes will cause your thinking to stay stuck in park. It will cause you to make a decision based upon fear instead of making a decision based upon faith.
You must be willing and ready to shift your thinking beyond the past and into the future that awaits you.
Today start thinking better about yourself.
Today start thinking that you can, instead of thinking that you can’t.
Today start thinking that your dream is possible.
Today start thinking that you are closer that you realize.
Today start thinking that your best days are ahead of you.
Shift Your Ability
If your dream is bigger than you, then chances are, your dream requires a new level of knowledge, skill set and ability for you to attain. You will probably have to learn some new techniques, methods, and strategies in order to go from where you are to where you want to be. Don’t let this deter you from trying. There is nothing wrong or abnormal about stretching your mind muscle.
This may be a time in which you will need the assistance of someone like a coach to help you along the way. Connecting with the right person is vital for you. The right person is able to bring out the best in you and even prepare you to do things that you thought were way beyond your current skill set. They can introduce you to new ideas and spark so much creativity in you that you didn’t even know existed.
Simply put, making right connections will always take you to the next level. Everyone needs a coach or a mentor in his or her journey of life. Warren Sapp is a former NFL football defensive tackle and also a Hall of Famer. When he was being inducted into the Hall of Fame, he was asked what factors contributed to his getting such a prestigious honor. He talked about his relationship with one of the NFL’s greatest coaches, Tony Dungy. He said that Coach Dungy would mail him a handwritten letter before every training camp, telling him what the next steps he needed to take in order to become a better football player. Warren Sapp said those letters were his motivation and he looked forward to them every season.
Anytime you see a turtle up on top of a fence post, you know he had some help. —Alex Haley
Shift Your Routine
So many people get stuck in the mundane of life. Before they know it, they are on autopilot and just going through the motions of life.
A routine can be a draining place to be in. A routine offers too much chance to eventually turn into a rut. You can easily find yourself in a pattern of doing the same thing over and over. Before long you will feel like a hamster on a wheel. You’re running and running, but at the end of the day, you are going nowhere. You will feel stuck.
When that happens, it’s time to make a change. It takes a shift of breaking the routine and doing something new that will take you off of autopilot and living a fuller life again.
Don’t be afraid to try something new. You can start out with simple practical things and work your way up. You might want to start adding some type of new activity to your daily or weekly schedule. This will definitely switch things up for you. You can also find a hobby if you don’t already have one. Make sure you add it to your calendar schedule to ensure that you engage in it at least a couple of times a month.
Making life shifts can be hard, but they are necessary and very rewarding when you make them. In a perfect world, it would be so nice to push a button or open an app on your smartphone and presto; you are experiencing the life you dream about. Sorry, it’s not that easy. Your dream doesn’t happen from the cushy recliner or that comfortable spot on your sofa that has your rear indentation. Your dream turns into reality when you take action and make it happen.
Your life doesn’t come with a remote control; if you don’t like what you’re seeing, then you have to get up, take action, and change it yourself. Yes, it may be hard work but it’s well worth it, especially if your actions bring about a greater fulfillment in your life.
It’s time for you to make the shifts in your life that are necessary to start moving you in the direction of your dreams and goals. Refuse to stay stuck in park and shift today and be on your way to the life you’ve imagined. Godspeed.
