The Slow Boil

Ever hear the story about the frog and the boiling water? The science is that if you drop a frog in boiling water, it will hop right out. But if you place a frog in water and slowly turn up the heat, it will boil to death without realizing it.

Now I am not advocating the slow boil of frogs or any creature for that matter. My point is that gradual changes can take their toll, and as creators, we have to protect our energy and optimism if we want to be free to create. We have to recognize the changes so we can jump out of the water before it's too late.

Here are some areas where the heat might be increasing:

Tough Defense

Know thyself. The two words sound like they should be a part of an after school special at this point, but I didn't realize until my thirties just how important it was to understand myself so that I could reach my goals.

Setting a goal is easy. It's a vision that feels within reach. We daydream about it. The Secret would tell us that's all we need to do, and though there is power in positive thinking and affirmation of possibility becoming reality, we must take action if we are to ever reach that goal.

For some, action is the hardest part. I know it was for me. How many goals had I logged into my virtual calendar on Someday in the month of When I Have the Time? It took some inspiration from a dear friend and a swift kick in the pants from her for me to realize that someday was always going to be a future date until I took ownership of my time and made it now. So I did.

However, the action is just the beginning. As with any goal, there is a journey involved and it is amazing how often something will rise up to try and thwart that journey. If the momentum of the journey can be slowed or stalled, it is much easier to never finish. All too often, these antagonists are ourselves.

I have three: the Critic, the iDeserve It, and the Demotivator.