This is the Post-it note on my desk right now – “Take the messy step.”
The task we shy away from, the conversation we avoid, the feeling we don’t want to experience. They feel awkward, so it’s tempting to get busy doing anything else at all!
It feels like a relief, but with a sense of guilt and the nagging knowledge you’re avoiding something.
It’s easy to justify, too! “It’s not the right time”, “I’m not ready”, “I’m too busy”, “This isn’t good enough”. It sounds sensible, but it’s avoidance with good PR. It reminds me of being at the side of an improv show, hesitating to step in because I don’t know how it’s going to go.
But when you do take a step, you’re back in motion. Like balancing on a bike, it’s almost impossible when you’re still, but quite easy once you’re moving.
There’s a strange paradox here. We feel awkward and put things off because:
- We care about the outcome
- We want to do it well
So the things that matter most… are often the ones we avoid.
I’ve finally sent some long-overdue messages to friends. They’re late, but done. I’ve started some conversations I’d been avoiding. I didn’t do it perfectly. And weeks ago would have been better. But the relief is from making a start.
What have you been avoiding that actually matters? If it’s been bugging you, that’s probably it. Take the messy step, and you’ll be moving again.