3 Small But Wonderful Lessons

Ever start something you didn't finish? Ever try to do it all yourself? Ever get impatient that something you wanted was taking too long? Of course you have. Everyone experiences these things every now and then. Here are 3 things I learned about these situations while working to complete my new eBook, How to Figure Out What You Really Want. LESSON #1: The Power of Perseverance I still can't believe how many little details have been involved in this project. The "to-do" list always felt like it was growing. It seemed like there was one continual obstacle after another, in an endless procession of frustrating experiences. It could have been so easy for to say "forget it, this is never going to get done." If I had chosen that path though, there would be no eBook here today. So, lesson number one - don't give up. Where do you need to persevere in your own life? LESSON #2: Sometimes You Need Help Do you ever try to create the feeling of control in your life? Do you also love to learn? Do you enjoy becoming an expert at the things you're interested in? Me too, but often the things I'm interested in, want to learn, and need to control, are a lot of work because I'm not that good at them! So, sometimes it pays to get help. Another way to think about this lesson is, "hire people who PLAY at things you WORK at." On this project that meant hiring a graphic designer for the eBook and web site design, and getting a programmer to help with setting up the back-end software needed to process sales. So, lesson number two - sometimes asking for help is a sign of strength and the smartest thing you can do. Where in your life do you need to ask for help? LESSON #3: Things Take Time There's a Universal Principle called the Law of Gestation that states that every seed has a gestation or incubation period for its realization into form. In other words, there's a period of time that must elapse before something "planted" grows into its finished state. For example, when you plant corn you must wait between 60-90 days before you can harvest it. "Thoughts" also have incubation periods. They are "seeds" that can move into physical form, but the time for their growth and harvest is often unknown. The eBook project started as just a "thought-seed" and grew over time into the finished form you see today. It took much longer than imagined, but it's been a great reminder that just because something desired hasn't yet manifested in reality, doesn't mean it won't! So, lesson number three - plant it, nurture it, and give it time to grow. Where do you need to show patience with something you've "planted"? © 2009 Kim Smith