Struggling to Do Big Things? Break It Down!

Hi, Shawn Ellis here, and welcome to the This Moment Matters podcast. Are you struggling to do big things? Then this week's session is for you. It's titled Break It Down. What is it that separates people who experience remarkable success from those who are just, well, average? It's one thing: action. You know, we often look at those who do these great things and we think, "Wow, that must be nice," or, "Wow, I wish I had it that easy." But that's because we typically don't notice them until they get there. And by there, I'm referring to that proverbial place, that final destination. And there really is no "there," but that's a story for another day. We just think that somehow these people, they just woke up one morning and poof! Greatness. And then we go back to dreaming or hoping that one day we'll experience our own breakthrough and that we'll get "there" in our lives. But the truth is, everyone who does something remarkable starts by doing something rather unremarkable. And the keyword is actually doing. The second keyword would be something. Do something. And maybe we should add different to that. Do something different. Because I'm sure you've heard the old saying, keep doing what you've been doing and you'll keep getting what you've been getting. Now I know this is ridiculously simple advice. Do something. Great, thanks Shawn. Well, everything I've said so far is true, but here's the real meat of this message. You see, most people don't achieve the great things they dream of because they just keep staring at this big massive goal and they have no idea how to get there, no idea where to start. So imagine yourself, you're, you're standing here, you're looking up at this big mountain and at the peak, that's your goal. So you're here, the goal is there. What do you do? What you have to do is break down that big goal into baby steps and take one at a time. That's the only way you'll get there, the only way you'll achieve that goal. Dr. BJ Fogg at Stanford University identifies 3 key elements necessary to achieve any desired behavior, and those elements are motivation, ability, and trigger. Your motivation is what makes you want to pursue this particular behavior or action or goal in the first place. So you want to alleviate a certain pain, you want to experience a certain pleasure, whatever it may be for you, but you've gotta have a motivation. The trigger is a prompt or a cue or something that nudges you to start down that path. And the ability, that's what we're really talking about here today. The ability is simply your ability to do what you want or need to do. More specifically, it's how simple it is for you to do it. And when you're staring at that big mountain, that's the opposite of simple. That's— it's extremely complicated and difficult. And what that does is cause you to not take action, because you sit there and you say to yourself, you know, why, why should I? I don't have a chance. I can never get there. So you must break your goal down into steps that are manageable. Make it simple for yourself. So think right now, what is it that you want to do? Imagine one of your, your big goals. Now, what is the simplest first step you could take toward that goal? For example, if you want to write a book, you might start with an outline. Or if that's too much, then write down some key themes or points you want to address. And then you write one sentence, and then a paragraph, and then a page, and then a chapter, and eventually you have a book. Doesn't that feel like something you could do? Don't defeat yourself before you get started. Take one step today, then tomorrow, take another, and then the next day— you get the idea. You can get to the top of your mountain. Just start small, break it down, and take action. Thanks for listening. I'll see you next time.