Delusions of Grandeur

I looked for what must have been the 20th time today at my To Do list.

Well, not my whole list, just the subset that I was planning to take on today.

Of course, even that list was far too big to be accomplished in one day.

It was frustrating to see some of the same things on the list which had been there for several weeks now.

I knew I wouldn’t get to them and yet, I wrote them down day after day after day.

In the process I wasn’t keeping track of what I was aiming to accomplish; I was punishing myself, I was weakening my own resolve and ultimately, I was sabotaging myself.

True to my daily habits, the review of the To Do list was followed by a trip to the pantry for a quick snack, almost always in some form of sugar.

Frankly, I can feel my resolve to make progress weakening simply writing about it now.

I used to think I was alone in repeating this process on a daily basis and I have since learned that many people struggle with the same challenges that I struggle with each day.

The cycle of grand accomplishment aspirations, unsure where to start, slow progress, sugary snack to feel positive, accept “good enough” and then tell myself it’s ok to relax because I can try again tomorrow.

This process is not one that will result in me or anyone else attaining their dreams because it is loaded with self-betrayal, compromise, acceptance of the broken trust with our dream.

Willpower and never giving up are not the answer.

Instead, adopting an approach that is rooted in daily alignment with Play and the E.A.S.E. model will.

Play reinvigorates the imagination, connects us with our outcome and empowers us to try and then to readjust as we become the next version of ourselves.

It is the process we used as children to learn and grow, shaping the world to one where our dreams are possible.

As adults we have simply lost touch with Play and learned to treat everything as work.

Start by breaking the routine and simply drawing a picture, singing along with a song or playing hopscotch.

Do these types of things for you and you alone.

(PS: Here I am with the fire whip)

Before anyone asks the question, the answer is:

NO, engaging with a game on your phone, tablet, computer, etc. is NOT Play.

Doug O’Brien created the E.A.S.E. model and I recommend you take a few minutes to listen to his podcast episode where he talks about it as there will be more detail there than I will provide in this newsletter.

The E.A.S.E. model is a structured approach to taking our lofty and aspirational goals/hopes/dreams and creating steps that allow you to build upon success as you move toward the realization of your goals/hopes/dreams.

This model is what I have applied to attain the goal of Intermittent Fasting as part of my journey toward better health.

Rather than a binary success or failure goal, it creates levels of attainment that allow you to move toward your goal in small steps or big steps.

I started with a goal to reach 14 hours between the last time I eat in the evening and the first time I eat the next day.

Below is how that breaks down using the E.A.S.E. model.

E – Easy
8 Hours

A – Acceptable
10 Hours

S – Stretch
12 Hours

E – Extraordinary
14 Hours

Using this approach I was able to feel positive about my progress, even on those days when I woke up craving breakfast and it had only been 8 hours.

I was able to really celebrate when I made it all the way to the Stretch level.

Through the process I have managed to lose some of the excess fat I had been carrying around and have moved closer to the healthy lifestyle I am seeking.

How will you bring more play back into your life?

What goal/hope/dream have you been struggling to make progress with that would benefit from the E.A.S.E. model?

Most people don’t struggle because they lack motivation or discipline.
They struggle because they’re trying to solve their challenges alone.

Sometimes what helps most is simply having someone who can see the patterns you can’t see and walk beside you while you break them.

Then let’s have a conversation and I will walk with you, until you’re ready to walk on your own.

Until next time,

The Tiger Is Inside You.

Quote of The Week:

“We overestimate what we can do in a day and underestimate what we can do in a year.”
— Bill Gates

That is the Tiger that I refer to and the idea of creating the metaphor for the Tiger came from Jim Lawless in his book, Taming Tigers.   

It’s fear and self-doubt dressed up as protection, convincing us to stay safe instead of stepping forward and growing. The Tiger is loud, convincing and relentless, but here’s the truth: it only has the power we give it.

Every time you step forward in spite of that roar, you weaken its grip and strengthen your own. That is what Tiger Letters are all about, sharing knowledge, experience, fears and inner strength to make your dreams a reality.

So, the next time your Tiger ROARS, smile at it, step forward reclaiming your power and break through the fear barrier into your growth zone.

Before you go, here is ONE way you can work with me.

Book your FREE Kickstart Call with me - 1:1 performance coaching to help you break through fear, self-doubt, and procrastination—so you can finally move forward with clarity, confidence, and courage.

Until next time!
The Tiger Is Inside You.