It has occurred to me this week that we often spend our entire lives outrunning or outsmarting (or trying to at the very least) our own very personal inner gremlin who seems to be one step ahead of every curve.
That gremlin showes up in any of the following formats: (watch out for the camouflage!)
- The sceptic
- The cynic
- The ever-questioning (if this is right or feels good)
- The finding yet another totally justified excuse
- The philosophical thinker
Just as you make a decision (or are in the process thereof), it rears its ugly head to sabotage or further delay you and your plans.
So what can you do to conquer this inner gremlin thing?
The easiest answer would be to say ‘just do it’. Commit and do it - do not wait for anything e.g. the never ending debate going on in your head or anyone. And there are countless arguments for and against this approach.
Simply doing something (being in action) will certainly bring you closer to what it is you want or want to achieve without any ‘ifs or buts’.
However not being ready for it, being unsure and then jumping in too prematurely can cost you dearly. Doing anything simply for the sake of proving a point (to yourself or others) will also cost you in the end.
I am the first to advise that no amount of thinking or mulling something over endlessly will get you any closer to the goal you want to achieve. After all, thinking is not doing and being in action brings results countlessly.
So what is the biggest factor to consider? I say it is TIMING.
When the timing is ‘right’, things will fall into place, occur for the right reasons and work out for the best in the end. How often have we all pondered about being in the right place at the right time or making a decision when the timing was perfect which resulted in the desired results or vice versa?
Timing is important (although it is not everything). There are exceptions to this rule as to any other of course. An example of this: You wouldn’t sell a property if it wasn’t a buyer’s market or when you would lose undisclosed sums of money, would you? And you wouldn’t embark on a calorie restricted diet at the beginning of a three-week holiday, would you? That is what I mean by good or bad timing.
There is a time to do or start things and a time not to. And it is about being 100% ready, committed and prepared for the task or decision at hand.
If you are using time to delay the start of an exercise regime or to apologise to someone or to complete something that has been oustanding for too long, then you are wasting your own precious time. Time is a valuable commodity and something we all do not have enough of.
So be clear: is this the right time to do what you have in mind?
If your answer is ‘yes’ and all the indicators point that way, then ask yourself what you are waiting for and get on with it!
If your answer is ‘no’ then check yourself by doing asking the following:
- What is getting in my way?
- What can I do to get closer to achieving this?
- What has to happen for me to be clear, ready and in action?
- Who can ask for support and/or assistance?
And when you have completed your further planning and you are in action around your decisions and commitments, please take full responsibility for achieving this and finally outsmarting your inner gremlin.
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