Release the Idea of Needing Motivation, and Start Taking Action Today!
Many aspiring entrepreneurs constantly live in a state of limbo. They have great ideas, but they’re not quite sure if they should pursue them or not because it could be too risky. The thought of taking the leap into something new is paralyzing to some people– and for good reason! It can be an intimidating task, which is why I’m here to tell you that there’s no need to hesitate anymore.
You don’t have to keep waiting around for someone else to invest in your idea; just take action and start making things happen. If you’re uncomfortable then you are on the right track. If this sounds like you then this blog post is perfect because it’s time we break the habit of hesitation once and for all.
It’s easy to look at someone you admire who has success and start to believe that they possess something you don’t. That success came easy to them or that they are full of motivation. You’ve bought into this idea that at some point you too will have the courage and confidence to pursue your dreams.
You know how it goes…
- Once I have more money I will do it.
- Once I lose weight I will start.
- Once the kids are out of the house I can focus on myself.
- Once I get that promotion things will change.
These hesitations are keeping you stuck. I know because I’ve been there too, and I know that someday will never come unless you decide to make it happen.
Right now.
Where you are.
With what you have.
Begin Today!
I have a lifelong friend who is such an inspiration. She’s a single mom who started her custom clothing line while living in a 500 square-foot studio apartment. She’d always wanted to go for it, but the time was never right. Stuck at home with an infant and in a place of needing to figure it out, she went all in.
Today she has a successful clothing line making custom clothes exclusively for the wives, girlfriends, parents, and children of professional athletes. A niche industry that caters to helping family members stand out in the stadium on game day.
She created a market out of need and found success when she let hesitation go.
She was not confident when she was setting up her printer between the baby’s crib and the small kitchen surface she had. But she decided to go for it and it completely changed her life.
Hesitation Brings Doubt
Somewhere along the line, we decided it was more comfortable to stay stuck dreaming about our future lives than actually taking the steps to create that dream life. We started relying on the voice of hesitation. Our brains are designed to protect us from danger and anything unknown is a potential threat. Hesitation is our reasoning mind thinking it’s keeping us safe. But in order to start that business, be that partner, follow that dream, you are going to have to spend a little time in uncertainty.
Mel Robbin’s book, “The 5 Second Rule”, talks about this. She says it’s responsible for changing the course of her life. She says “If you have an instinct to act on a goal, you must physically move within 5 seconds or your brain will kill it.” She suggests when you have an idea you give yourself 5 seconds to act on it. Literally doing a 5-4-3-2-1 countdown to propel you into action.
When you think about all the things you’re going to do tomorrow it’s easy. Your mind is motivated to say…
- I’m going to get up early and meditate tomorrow
- I’m going to start eating healthily tomorrow
- I’m starting my gym routine tomorrow
- I’m starting to put pen to paper on my book tomorrow
And you really mean it! You’re seriously ready. But then the next day you just aren’t motivated to do it. You’ve already hesitated on the idea, what’s one more day? You can always start tomorrow. And it’s true, you can always start tomorrow, but if you’re waiting for motivation or courage, or confidence to get started then you will never begin.
As amazing as your ideas are, nothing happens if you don’t get yourself up and moving.
You’re never going to feel like doing the scary stuff–the stuff that requires learning new skills that intimidate you like taking control of your finances or learning the dynamics of solid SEO skills. You will always only feel motivated to do the things that are easy and that feel good. But I’m sorry to tell you that is not the way to success.
Successful people show up and do the work even when they aren’t motivated or sure what will happen. They understand that it’s more important to be consistent than to be motivated or confident. They just keep on keepin on.
Breathwork for Hesitation
When you feel a strong urge to move on something and hesitate, your brain starts to rationalize all the reasons why you are right for hesitating. You can train yourself to act by utilizing Mel Robbins 5 Second rule, or you can turn to your breath.
Whenever I have a big decision to make I sit down on my mat and breathe. I ask for clarity and do alternate nostril breathing, balancing out the two hemispheres of my brain so I can get in tune with my inner knowing. Using that knowledge–that gut feeling that my heart is leading me to do–I can easily begin down a road without hesitation. Now having a foundation of trust within my heart.
Intuitively I always know which way I want to go, but when I hesitate doubt will have me sitting in limbo for far too long. Alternate nostril breathing has helped push that mind-chatter out, leaving me clear and concise on the direction I need to go.
Alternate Nostril Breathing
- Find a comfortable seat on a meditation pillow.
- Be sure you are sitting with a nice straight spine, shoulders rolled back and down, with your chin slightly tucked.
- Close your eyes and begin to focus on your breath.
- Ask yourself: Why am I hesitating on this decision?
- Place your right hand in a pranayama mudra (fancy hand placement) by tucking your first two fingers into the palm of your hand, allowing the ring and pinky to remain as straight as possible.
- Bring your right thumb up to plug your right nostril and inhale for 4 seconds starting through the left nostril only.
- Use your ring and pinky figures to pinch the left nostril as you hold your breath.
- Release your thumb from the right side and exhale for 4 seconds.
- Stay here and inhale into your right nostril for 4 seconds.
- Pinch your thumb to your right nostril while holding your breath.
- Release your ring and pinky fingers and exhale 4 seconds out of your left nostril.
- You have completed 1 full round.
- Repeat these steps for 5-10 more rounds to find balance and clarity.
However you decide to work on your habit of hesitation is fine. We all have different ways of moving into clarity. The reality is that there is more information in this world and choices to be made than you have time for. So decide what is the right path for you and then get out of your way so you can do the work.
Doubt will always be there, but it doesn’t need to be behind the wheel. Take control of your life by moving into a place of action and see how quickly things begin to change.
I’d love to hear from you! Let me know how alternate nostril breathing is working for your decision-making or what other tips and tricks you use to help beat the hesitation within you.