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Oh my goodness. I fully intended to write about cravings. Yesterday. Or was it the day before? Instead, it’s a few days later. So cravings can wait again. Today it’s about getting back on the ground and off the tightrope!
The Cambridge Dictionary says that when you walk a tightrope “you have to deal with a difficult situation, especially one involving making a decision between two opposing plans of action”.
Yep, I get it. I’m guessing anyone reading this ‘gets it’ too.
Making decisions is as easy or as hard as you make it. Sure, they often rely on having all the information. Especially big, maybe even life changing, decisions.
Sticking to the small stuff
At other times they’re way smaller than that. That’s what I’m talking about today. Because in the moment, right in front of us, even the smallest decisions can feel major! A good example is an overwhelming ‘To Do’ list, an untidy desk or a messy house. Or worse, all three piling on top of each other.
Back to the two opposing decisions here. What needs my attention? What simply has to be done first? What’s going to stop me from imploding, exploding, or going around in circles? Great question!
Slow down to speed up
‘Slowing down to speed up’ is about breaking the cycle and getting off the tightrope. Being able to feel in charge of what’s in front of you – instead of feeling managed by it all.
- Stop. Take a breath. Walk away for a short time, if that helps.
- Remember, it’s indecision that takes time and drains energy – sitting on the fence, overthinking, procrastinating…
- You can be a bit Zen about it and ‘Don’t think, Just do’ as you start.
- Ask yourself “If I was getting on a plane in 30 minutes and could only do one thing, what would it be?” and set your priorities one by one. In a list, or just ‘doing’ as you sort your desk or house.
- Once you’ve finished, give yourself a pat on the back. Then get on with what’s in front of you. Action keeps you moving forward and feeling in charge.
- Aim to spend the last few minutes f the day getting organised for the next day – write that list, tidy the desk, get the house sorted.
- Know you can stop and regroup anytime you see yourself getting back on the tightrope.
What if I get it wrong?
If you get it wrong? That’s life. We need to get things wrong. Mistakes are what teach us how to do things better, or to be a better person. They build resilience.
Be easy on yourself. Making decisions and getting back in charge moves things forward. You’re achieving things. It builds the habit of trusting yourself to make decisions. That leads to trusting others more.
A final thought
I’m a list writer and a serial desk and house tidier from way back. And I still have my days when the vortex draws me in and before I know it I’m back on the tightrope. Like this morning.
So, it’s not what happens that’s important, it’s what you do about it… and I’m hoping that by the time you read this my list will be written, desk tidy, dishes done and washing away! Ready for my day.
Until next time…
Anne