Let’s talk a bit more about stories today, and how they can keep us from moving forward.

Think about your average day. It’s probably filled to the brim with lots of activities.

Most of these activities, while necessary, are not, in themselves, extremely valuable in the long term. They are the small steps that all contribute to the vision that you have for your future.

Take this blog post, for example. It’s on my list of things to do today.  In and of itself, I rank it’s value as pretty small. It’s primary value, at least to me, is that its a small contribution to the body of work that I am creating to accomplish my big goals. And, my day will be filled with similar activities.

At the end of the day, all the activities I’ve done will have moved me a bit further towards my goals.

Another way to look at it is that all of the activities I have done in the past have resulted in where I am and what I have achieved as of today.

Stories are much like that. They are really just the details of life. They are comprised of many small things that continue to fill our days, and the result is who we are today.

Here’s my point.

When I allow myself to be totally focused on the activities and the story (the details), of each day, I can very easily lose sight of my big goals - the reason I’m doing the activities in the first place. In the past, I have done just that (more than once), with the result that I seemed to be moving very quickly in a big circle. Which, of course, wasn’t getting me where I wanted to go very fast.

What I have learned from that is this: The activities are important. (Dreams without action don’t usually produce the results I want.)

Their importance, however, just like my story, lies in the moment of doing them, or experiencing them. Once they are past, they are only important in the results they bring, the lessons they teach, and their contribution to the whole.

The way I have learned to keep this perspective is two-fold ~ and I do this most days.

First, I let go of my story from yesterday. I write down all the parts of it that I’m still thinking about. (See Just Dump It! for more detail on this.) This helps me to let them go.

Then, I spend a little time reflecting on what I learned from yesterday, how it contributed to the overall goal, and what’s important for me to remember. I write that down as well.

So, by letting go of the details - we can make mental space and time for the important stuff - like making progress. . .

Just Imagine That!