For those of you who have experience with three year olds, you know what it’s like to take them to the grocery store. If you’re walking across the store and there happens to be an open aisle – ZOOM! The child will miraculously break free from your grip and take off running down the empty aisle!
It never fails. In a 3 year old’s world, that aisle is so open and welcoming – it’s freedom! They look so happy and confused, as they quickly stumble down the never-ending path. Who cares if pasta’s on sale? This is my chance and I’m going to take it!
Where did that feeling of infinite motivation stop? We were all born with it, but somewhere along the way, we became adults. Adults have responsibilities. Adults don’t make time for “silly” dreams. Adults have bills to pay and jobs to rush to.
If we can change our thinking, there is a possibility that we can run down the aisle at the grocery store (so to speak). Yes, life is happening, but we do have a choice to pursue it during our off time. We can even change our lives into something enjoyable and satisfying.
Off time is the time we aren’t at work. For example, you come home, have dinner, watch television, and go to sleep. That’s it. Rinse and repeat, five days in a row.
It’s going to take a little energy and focus, but you don’t have to be caught in that hamster wheel. Television is used for entertainment, but if you could take at least one hour away from your TV time and work on your goal, you’ll be farther along than you were last week, or even yesterday.
Weekends are for fun and unplugging – we should take advantage of that time to unwind. At the same time, there’s a one or two hour block of time that can be used for building a better future for yourself and your family.
Once you get started, it’s like a domino effect. After a while, you’ll be working on your goal every night and on the weekend. In essence, you’ll be running down the grocery aisle, seeing new things and exploring more options.
Whatever it takes, make it happen. See the opportunities and run down the aisle. Who cares what others say? So what if they laugh? You take your chance and chase it like a 3 year old! You won’t regret it!
In the end, no one can catch a 3 year old. It’s impossible. If they hit a barrier, they quickly charge in another direction. We all should follow our goals and dreams the same way.