Papercuts

Many people are walking around with big dreams, but letting small things get in the way of achieving them.  When you are given (gifted) a dream or an idea, it is your responsibility to do all that you can to make that a reality.  You never know how your dream will play into a larger life picture and the people that it can benefit.  Unfortunately, many times, we allow "paper cuts" to get in our way.

Can you imagine talking to someone for hours on end about their paper cut?  It just would not happen.  Why not?  Because, all of us know that paper cuts are not life threatening.  They hurt, they are inconvenient, and they painfully re-open each time you handle a new piece of paper, but as inconvenient and un-fun as they are, they are considered minor and almost trivial.  Yet, most of us, are allowing minor and almost trivial things to stand in the way of our dreams.  Can you imagine not coming in to work or not playing in the big game because you had a paper cut?

This past month, I have had many paper cut moments.  I notice for me, they seem to come during times of high stress, when I am already feeling overwhelmed.  I have a good friend, Cate Gibson, who talks about HALTE, knowing that small things, paper cuts, can get to you when you are Hungary, Angry, Lonely, Tired or have not Exercised.  In these HALTE moments, it is important to address the underlying need so that the paper cuts don't keep you from pursuing your dreams.

Here are a few ways to recommit to your dreams when the paper cuts come up. 
1.  Hang around positive people who talk about their dreams.  It is hard to complain about paper cuts to people who are living their life at a completely different level.  If you don't know many people in this category, listen to talks by inspirational speakers.

2.  Acknowledge what is not working and address it.  Looking at the HALTE formula Cate provided us, look at what may be going on that is causing the frustration and address the root cause.  Trying to push it away for later does not work.  Take a moment, an hour, a day to feel the feelings and allow them to be there.  Write in your journal, make a phone call, resolve the issue so that you can move forward.

3.  Remember who you are.  Many people will give you a picture of who you are, advertisers do it all the time.  But only you get the amazing job of defining who you are, what your boundaries are, and what you are and are not willing to accept into your life.  In my experience, people really respect that once you communicate it to them.  But, before you communicate it, you have to define and know them for yourselves.  Remember that who you are is made up of a lot of good things and a few not so amazing things, but that unique combination makes you the perfect version of you!  Love and respect the person you are right now and acknowledge all the steps you are taking to make that masterpiece (you) even better.

4.  Think of how your dream/idea will help others.  When you set goals that are of service to other people, they are stronger than goals that only serve you.  This does not mean you cannot set a goal for the car you want, but rather than focus on all the benefits that will come to only you by having that car, think of how that car will benefit others.  Sometimes, when the paper cuts feel really big, it seems easier to just throw away the dream and give up the fight.  But, remember, that dream was gifted to you and you have a responsibility to it.  By thinking of how your dream serves a larger purpose than just yourself, you are recommitting to the dream.

5.  Take a breath, think of something you are grateful for, and walk away.  Sometimes, the best way to handle difficult situations is to take a break from them.  When you realize the paper cut has clearly taken over and is winning the inner dialogue in your head, take a breath (a deep one), think of something that you are grateful for and say out loud, "I am taking a break from thinking about this".  And, then... do!

You are always in the right place at the right time, having the perfect experience for you to learn what you need to on your path. The paper cuts are there for a reason and your reaction to them is a good indicator of how you are feeling.  It is a way of showing you where there may be more to explore and more work to do.  In this way, the paper cuts are actually a gift.  They let you know the next step that you need to handle in order to achieve your dream.