So you’ve made the decision to learn something new.

Now what?

You will need to spend time upfront, without much return.

It will require focus and a dedication.

Commitment will be tested.

You will compare yourself to others (unfairly).

Before you can be good at it, you are going to be bad at it.

It will take longer still to be great at it.

Or you can learn how to be comfortable with the status quo.

Is “no” holding you back?

“No” is restrictive.

“Can’t” is narrowing.

“Don’t” is discouraging.

“Won’t” is problematic.

“Shouldn’t” is condemning.

“Stop” is preventing.

Would saying “yes” push you forward?

“Yes” opens possibilities.

“Yes” is expansive.

“Yes” is progressive.

“Yes” is courageous.

“Yes” is empowering.

“Yes” is opportunity.

What are you not saying “yes” to?

There is always lots to do.

So when you are frustrated by a lack of progress.

When you feel overwhelmed by what lay ahead.

When you don’t seem to be making any headway.

Pause.

Take a look back.

See just how far you have come.

Take in how much you have achieved already.

Take the time to pause…reflect…and then go again.

It’s the last one.

The objective has been achieved.

The target reached.

The order fulfilled.

The goal accomplished.

But it’s not the end.

Now you get to start again.

Start over.

Try something else.

Something new.

It’s just the beginning.

This Christmas season.

Whatever you are doing.

Whoever you are with.

Wherever you are.

Remember to be present.

You don’t need to have it all figured out.

You just need to start.

Sure, you might need a general direction.

A goal.

An objective.

Then get going.

Trust in yourself that you’ll figure it out along the way.

Did you have help?

Then say so.

Was it completed by someone else?

Redirect the praise.

Are you the messenger?

Pass on the commendation.

For the work done.

For the hours put in.

For the creative approach.

For the effort.

For the great result.

Give credit where it is due.

You will make a wrong decision at times.

The queue that ends up being slower.

A dud movie selection.

A bad lunch choice.

Wearing something unsuitable for the weather.

Coffee instead of tea.

Turning left too early.

These are small decisions.

These are easy to handle and over quickly.

There are bigger decisions.

Studying towards a qualification that just isn’t right.

Selecting a dishonest business partner.

Making a poor investment.

Getting married to the wrong one.

Breaking up with the right one.

Being stuck in a job you hate.

A small decision is fleeting if wrong.

A wrong big decision will last as long as you let it.

What could you really go without if you had to?

Do you really need…

…another coffee?

…that app?

…to watch another episode?

…another pair of [blank]?

…a second helping?

…all that choice?

…to look at Facebook again?

…another drink?

…the latest gadget?

Those are just the little things.

There are bigger things that can be taken for granted.

Running water.

Power.

Wifi.

Air-conditioning.

Television.

The internet.

Smart phones.

What could you go without?

(Inspired by the last week of a working trip to Mozambique, Africa.)

You would have liked a little more time.

It’s not completed yet.

You could have made some additions.

It’s missing some finesse.

You had to adapt and amend.

It’s not totally finished.

There was a setback or several.

It will never truly be done.

But…you still have to deliver.

So now go with what you’ve got.