Stepping forward in life!

Break your goals into smaller goals and take the first step.

Take action; take massive action on the goals that you have set. When you have one step forward, that is progress. Confucius had a saying that “If you know something and you do not act upon it, it is as though you know nothing.” Don’t fall into the trap of NATO (No Action Talk Only). Receiving knowledge would be great and it would be power, but applying that knowledge would be real power. Action speaks louder than words. Samuel Langhorne Clemens better known as Mark Twain, the American author and humorist, had a saying “The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.” Every drop makes an ocean and a small leak could sink a great ship. When we have big dreams, we set big goals. Sometimes it is important to break them into smaller goals, going one-baby-step-at-a-time mode.

Don’t change your destination, just alter your course.

Confucius had another saying “When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.” You cannot change the direction of the wind but you can always adjust your sail. One of the key principles is be adaptive to situations and adjust yourself and your goals. As the famous martial artist and film star, Bruce Lee had a saying “Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless–like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, and it becomes the teapot. Now water can ‘flow’ or it can ‘crash’! Be water, my friend.”

It is not only about finishing the race but running the marathon of life.

Slow and steady. Don’t rush into the solution, take your time. Confucius had yet another saying “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” Also remember not to be too slow. To get you started off in running might be difficult, but as you get the hang of it, always remember to maintain your momentum.

Do not be a soccer ball of other people’s opinion.

You might have heard of this story of the grandfather, boy and the donkey. The grandfather and the boy actually carried the donkey to their destination. People will always be there to share their opinion; you make the choice and decide. Stand out from the crowd and be different – It is better to be a somebody on a nobody’s island than to be a nobody on a somebody’s island. Mark Twain had another saying “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”

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Santhanaram Jayaram, is principal consultant for 2Be3 Consultancy & WSQ trainer. Currently lecturing in management, marketing and international business and training in the field of business communication, relationship management, work improvement team, problem solving & decision making,  innovation and laughter at work & customer service.