Recently my six-year-old son won a slinky from Chuck E. Cheese.
It wasn’t long before we tried to do what they do in the commercials. That’s right—we headed for the top of the stairs.
photo credit: thomselomsen via photopin cc
We tried. And tried.
At best the slinky walked down a step or two, then died. Dead slinky. “Dang,” I thought, “Maybe this is something they do with CGI. Maybe it can’t happen in real life.”
But my son was determined.
Then it happened.
He grabbed the top ring of the slinky, slammed it down to the next step, and off it went. Live slinky!
Fifteen steps all by itself. I’m not kidding.
Now, hit the slow-motion button. My son and I are ecstatic. Eyes the size of pizzas, cheering, wild smiles. Utter elation. My son jumped. Now hit pause. See him? His hair is straight up. Mouth open. Hands in the air. Legs all over the place. Got that image?
That’s you too.
If you keep trying the first step.
My First Step
My first step is blogging every week. In a few weeks I will have kept it up a full year.
What’s the dream I want to realize? Eventually I would love to offer products and services via this blog that provide additional income.
It’s a long haul. I’m in touch with people who have experienced real success, and it’s easy to get discouraged. I compare what I’m doing to what they’re doing, and honestly I get depressed.
Then the alarm rings at 4:30AM, and I think, “Do I really want to do this? Again?” Happened this morning, in fact.
But something keeps drawing me here. I realize more than ever that I am called to this work. I can’t not do it. I may write shoddy stuff or otherwise screw up a million different ways, but I have to do this.
Blogosphere, you’re stuck with me.
What Is Your First Step?
What is the first step you need to keep trying?
Writing a weekly or daily blog post?
Asking some friends for advice?
Applying to that program?
Going to the gym on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays?
Writing a chapter a month?
Connecting with so-and-so?
Buying a URL?
Writing a guest post?
Offering your speaking services?
Writing a book proposal?
Go ahead, share it. My first step is _______________ (comment below to fill in the blank)
This post is adapted from my book, DO YOUR ART: A Manifesto on Rejecting Apathy to Bring Your Best to the World. Pick up a free copy by subscribing to this blog below or in the sidebar.
~~~Tweetables~~~
What’s your first step to success? @ChadRAllen will help you figure it out… <Tweet this!>
Want to learn something profound from a 6-yr-old and his slinky? Check it out…<Tweet this!>
What do you and a Chuck E. Cheese slinky have in common? Thought you’d never ask…<Tweet this!>
Loved this, Chad. My first step is to create a web-site with all of the hospice/end-of-life/grief counseling info I’ve gathered over the years. Hopefully to educate, encourage and comfort those who are journeying life’s most difficult path. Wait. Scratch that. My first step is to gather all the notes, journal entries, blog posts, group hand-outs, letters from families, etc, Step two is to organize it. Won’t be creating until step 3. I think I’ll take a break and read DO YOUR ART. I’m going to need some motivation to stay the course.
Susan, ha! Well, it sounds like you’re doing some important processing. I hope you find DO YOUR ART inspiring and helpful!
I loved the slinky example in your book!
My first step is to finish my proposal. It had to be pushed to the back burner for a few weeks given circumstances but I’m now in a position to finish. It has been 98.5% done for way too long. 🙂
Godspeed, Natasha! It’s that last 1.5 percent that can be so hard to finish and yet makes all the difference.
My first step is to go where God is leading, and to do it confidently.
Amen, brother! And both require equal doses of discernment and humility, I suspect, or at least that’s been true in my experience!
Nice post, Chad. I love that you included your son. Those imitation slinkies aren’t the same thing as the original. The metal ones are the best on stairs. When my daughters get one, I’m usually the one playing with them.
My first step is to pray to be a more understanding mom. I grew up in a household were praise didn’t really exist. I might not have developed those necessary social skills that come from having a healthy family dynamic. That doesn’t mean I can’t. Each day I pray for help to praise more than scold. Listen more instead of talk. And to remember how tough it can be when you’re a kid.
All of us parents can adopt these as our first steps! Good for you!
Chad,
I am subscribed to you email list and read the book you sent out in 20 minutes. I have since passed it around. Excellent message, good content and you stop where other books like this write the same thing over and over.
It was short and I loved that. Like you stopped mid sentence to let the reader fill in the blank. It’s like a call to an artistic response.
As I finished I felt like I rushed up to the edge of a cliff and you triple dog dared me to jump. The water isn’t that far down, its just time to be brave and do it. It’s time to give in and jump and find the joy of ______ as I plunge into the cool waters below.
It was refreshing by the way.
Bob! This is such an encouraging note; I’m glad the book had this effect on you and that the plunge was refreshing. Your comment makes my day!
My first step is recognizing that my offer to the world extends beyond my role as a mother. My contribution to our children is huge, and I don’t mean to downplay it by any means, but it’s not all I am. I’ve recently begun to realize how I’ve used motherhood as an excuse not to put real effort into my writing. I’m afraid to fail at my art, and I’m afraid of neglecting my children. Step 1 is remembering that I was a daughter first, before I became a wife and mother. And my Father gave me a gift He meant to be used and celebrated. I don’t have to be one thing and nothing else. I just need to find a way to balance my roles and gifts in a health, responsible way. Thanks for turning my thoughts to this issue! I needed the reminder today. Great questions to consider!
Alison, this is off-the-charts healthy thinking, and I’m so glad to hear it from you. One blogger who, I think, wrestles with similar identity matters is Francie Winslow at http://upinandout.com/. You might find her stuff helpful. She’s intentionally trying to stay away from creating a “whiny mom blog,” pushing instead for one that really empowers moms to be their best–in the family and out. And if you haven’t already, check out Natsha’s http://www.christianmomthoughts.com as well. Good solid stuff!
Thanks very much, Chad! So kind of you to recommend.
And to the original commenter, I completely relate to what you are saying! It’s very hard to ensure priorities are in place and balanced in a Godly way. You said it perfectly!
These are great questions. They jump start whatever you are longing to do perfectly.
Thank you, Lisa! That’s high praise, and I don’t take it lightly coming from you!