For the past two weeks I have helped take care of my father as he recovers from knee replacement surgery (yes, the Farrell clan has had a crazy, surgery filled year!). During the time, life and business was put on the back burner, and my usual frantic “check off the to-do list” self was forced to take a breather. I had hoped to hit the ground running after my own recovery….but, life always has other plans.
I have realised that sometimes my biggest mistake is tackling too many things at once, and then feeling defeated if I don’t accomplish everything in the time frame I allotted myself. This new obsession with making every day a race of rapid productivity is exhausting. The thing that I have fought with the most is the feeling that days are wasted if I am not accomplishing every little damn thing on my list. Well hooey! Why can’t I be proud of myself if I am able to check off one or two things on the list?!
The thing I have tried to practice these past few weeks is patience. With myself. With my family. With my career. It will all fall into place….somehow. It always does. Last week I was able to listen to a conversation with Marlo Thomas
“Everyday do one small thing to get you closer to your dream. Dream big but start small to avoid burnout”
“I take my confidence from working with what I have right now, not what I used to have”
“Put those words into your vocabulary….I need, I want, I love it, I insist. You have every right to your dream”
So, this week I have tried to focus on the tiny accomplishments. Emails answered? Check! Dishes done? Check! Articles finished? Check!
I am trying not to gloss over the little things that create the day. In truth, we should be proud of the little everyday accomplishments, as they are just as important as the big shiny goals. Dreams and goals take time. The tortoise wins the race, right? So, this week let’s try to be patient with ourselves. Let’s try to give cheers for the baby steps and tiny victories. They are what create the journey.
Let me hear your thoughts!