Seeing through your "ize"

One thing I have come to notice about myself is that I, like the many others with whom I have spoken, have a tendency to start so many fun and exciting things. And that is it; start but not finish. It could be a project, podcast series, workout routine, business idea, or even a simple plan to meet up with a friend for coffee. 

I want to start projects because I see what could be. I think: If I just finish that workout routine or get that business idea off the ground, it has the great possibility to enrich our lives and take us to a better place. A better place financially, physically, mentally, socially, spiritually, or otherwise. But then life gets in the way. And I know I’m not alone.

So if we can see that vision of a better way of living, why do we let things get in my way and keep it at a distance? It’s complicated, right? Life is busy. I get it. Work, pay the bills, eat, sleep, clean, invest in your spouse, parent the children, walk the dog, get the title renewed at the DMV, catch up on Game of Thrones, remove files on your overfull hard drive just to name a few. It is sometimes all we can do just to stay afloat. Yet when I really look at my schedule, I can squeak out just a few minutes to spend some time on those things I want to do. 

Just take a small step in the right direction and you may begin to make life a little better. It’s certainly not going to get worse by trying. If you can’t complete a small thing, like cleaning your room, how are you ever going to take on that large project that has been looming over you for months, maybe years? Break those goals down into practical steps that are easy to manage. I hope to use this blog to share a few steps that help me complete some of my goals by removing distraction and taking small steps towards those goals.

The suffix “ize” transforms a noun into a verb. The suffix gives life to that dormant to do list item, don’t just have a vision, visualize. Do something about it! “Ize”ing something is just a fun way to remind us to get started, take action, and get moving. It's a reminder that without action, all you have is inaction. Visualize the possibilities, prioritize the steps to get to that vision, realize the need to start, optimize what you have done, and finalize the project. There is nothing new under the sun and this process is no different. Sometimes we just need a new perspective to help us get up on our feet and run to that next milestone. 

In the weeks to come, I hope to share some practical steps and technology-based tools that will allow you to take steps toward, and accomplish whatever goal you’ve been eyeing recently. Reach out with comments, questions, or stories of your own. Where do you get stuck in the process and why? What is your favorite part of the process?