Starting Points

Life is filled with new beginnings and starting over! You most likely have heard someone, or maybe even yourself, say, “I’m going to change my life,” or “I’m going to start my own business,” or “I’m going to get in shape.” We’ve all heard these types of comments and have probably, at times, used them ourselves. Now, there is nothing wrong with any of these statements. In fact, they are somewhat commendable. However, it’s the next comment that turns all of these well-intended forecasts into nothing but idle conversation. That comment is — “As soon as I …………” You can fill in the blank.

Our lives are filled with what I call “Starting Points.” These starting points are considered and spoken of many times in life, but most all of them are nullified by the escape clause “As soon as I…….” That caveat stops everything! The limitation, “As soon as I …,” is an instinctive response designed to protect you from the future failure that you have already imagined. That result is not intended, but the fear of failure stops great intentions dead in their tracks!

A few years back I compiled a card deck of my most utilized life affirmations. It’s a deck of 52 cards, one card for each week of the year, which reveal my most affirming concepts. I have always used affirmations because they seem to build steadfastness of consistent thought through difficult life situations. Just this past week, I was helping a client through some difficult times, and I gave him this affirmation:

“Life is filled with new beginnings and starting over. I am aware that I must always begin with where I am, with what I have”.

My experience with starting points in life tells me that most of us try to start somewhere other than where we are, with something other than what we have. So, since we are trying to start with more than we have or in a place that we are not, we immediately discourage ourselves from starting at all.

So, the next time you feel that you are ready to move to the next level, in whatever endeavor you choose, stop and ask yourself, “Where am I now?” and “What do I have?” You can’t start anywhere else, but you should not give up. This should not be seen as a roadblock; this is simply the starting point. Identify where you are and assess what you have. Be real with your assessment. This is your foundation, and this is where you begin your planning and work. Never neglect your starting point and never let it discourage you. Use where you are and what you have now as the origin for your goals to begin your worthy journey!

The card deck of life affirmations is available on our website here.

Until Next Time,

David Byrd