You can’t row a boat without oars. You need the equipment in place in order to propel yourself along the water. No good stroke was taken simply by thinking about it. You have to do the thing to do the thing and get good at it or enjoy it.
So it is with anything that matters. Eating well. Writing. Saving the planet.
People typically want to do good things and feel happiness. But we get stuck thinking about it rather than implementing our good intentions.
So how do we move from thinking to action? Especially when stagnancy has become a habit.
Find the sparks.
I’m on a walk this morning. I needed to exercise early because I have a full day ahead and won’t have time later. And I also know the longer I wait to workout the more tense I will become. So I got up and went.
I put on a podcast about habits and as I was listening an idea came to me. The title of this post popped into my head. That’s my spark.
Normally I would convince myself that I’d remember it and write about it later. But experience has shown me that I won’t and the spark will die out and fade away for good. So while walking I started writing this post. It’s not an ideal way to write but sparks rarely happen at ideal times.
When you find a spark it feels like a sudden flash of energy or excitement. It’s not like a piano falling on your head. So being attuned to yourself and listening is key. We are really good at ignoring what matters and very bad at paying attention to what does. And so we miss the sparks more often than not.
Once you find the spark it’s your job to fan it to a flame. By rowing. Writing. Eating fresh fruit. Calling someone you love and miss. Whatever it is. Let it burn bright. Once you’ve taken action then and only then can you let it fade. A spark that we let fade without action is what regret feels like.
Today is already a success. I found my spark and wrote this post. Did you find your spark today? And if so what did you do about it?
