How to Accomplish Impossible Things (again)
First off, thank you to everyone who has filled out my survey to help make ‘the new wifestyle’ better meet your needs! I’m getting fantastic insight into what you are wanting, thinking and feeling in terms of a blog and how I can meet those needs. I have pages of ideas to try out and it’s all thanks to those who took 4 minutes to help a lady out so thank you.
I’m going to leave it open for a few more days so please feel free to share your thoughts right here!
Most everyone who took the survey said they were interested in more inspiration and motivation so here ya be!
Do you ever have those years days when you feel overwhelmed by life and what the heck you are supposed to be doing with it?! I’ve been having one of those, particularly as I move into less of my time spent helping with my husband’s speaking career and more into my own endeavors, particularly with the new wifestyle. It’s overwhelming. I’m in a constant state of feeling out of place and uncomfortable.
To attempt to combat going insane and yelling at the birds because of their stupid chirping and lack of ideas…I decided to go for a run.
If my 9th grade gym teacher is reading-she is probably thinking ‘Ya riiiiiight Turner. You cried through your entire 13.5 minute mile while I yelled at you.’ Well guess what Ms. Cook-I just went for a voluntary run so HA!
I was very passionately against running for my entire life thanks to asthma and the fact that I found it utterly terrible- until 2 years ago. My friend Alison runs marathons (baller status that I will most likely never feel the need to do) and she challenged me to run a 5k (3.1 miles) with her.
Fine, but I’m going to cry the whole time and need a whole box of donuts afterwards. She said that was okay.
Guess what…I did it. I truly never in my whole entire life thought I would ever run more than 1, crying, terrible, miserable mile and now I run a few 5ks a week sans tears (usually).
As I was running, I started processing how I never thought this would be possible. That my body and mind weren’t capable but here I am with my cool sweatband and inhaler doing it.
I went back home and made a list of all the things that once felt impossible that I did. I call it “The List of Things I’ve Done that Once Felt Impossible.” Where I get these catchy titles evades me.
If you’re wondering why the paper looks water-damaged on the right side (the bottom looks like papyrus) , it’s because my husband spilled AN ENTIRE GLASS OF WATER ALL OVER MY DESK a few weeks ago. It’s not like I’m still upset about it or anything.
My list consists of things like moving across the country, getting my master’s degree and starting a business with my husband. It also contains things like flying to a foreign country, driving in NYC and swimming lessons. Regardless of whether you feel like those are big or small accomplishments, they all felt impossible to me and yet I did them.
I ended filling 3 pages and keep this list on my desk to remind myself of all of things I once didn’t think I would be capable of but here I am…running. Believing we are capable is the first step towards dream chasing.
The M&Ms are a small reward that help get the pen moving. I would not recommend eating one for every thing you’ve accomplished (as I started out doing) because you will feel sick and then run out of M&Ms because I would bet your list is longer than you anticipate. I hope you also took note of where I got my cute jar from (hint-a local date in France).
I would encourage you to take out a piece of paper right this very second (I’ll wait….) and at a minimum write down 3 things you have done that once felt impossible to you.
This is a very tangible reminder that we have already done a ton of things that we didn’t think possible and a great confidence boost to remember we are capable of so much more.
Happy Monday and know that you are capable of more than you sometimes believe.
Questions:
1) Feel like sharing one of those accomplishments?
2) Do you like running?
3) What’s your reward candy of choice?
*If you found this article helpful or enjoyable, please share it with your friends, family and network! I’d be grateful and thank you!
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Paula Howley
July 28, 2014 at 12:08 pm
Great post! Very funny.
1. I never thought I could get out of the stripping business. I had no idea how I would or could and what, if anything I could do to contribute anything remotely of worth to the world. it was monumental to me that I did it.
2. I hate running. I hate it with every cell in my body. It’s effing boring. I’d rather stick pins in my eyes. I used to run when I lived in Egmont and there was this lovely trail that I ran- it was 7 k long and I did it 3x a week. Then we moved and there’s nowhere really good that’s close to me and I would never run on the highway because that’s just another form of torture.
3. Chips. Chips and ginger ale. The two things that want to bring me down.
Paula Howley recently posted…Public Presentations For Kids
chelsea
July 29, 2014 at 8:13 am
Thanks Paula! That is INCREDIBLY monumental that you got out of the stripping biz and now you are giving SO much value to the world, especially through public speaking for kids 🙂 It’s super inspiring I must say. Wow for hating running but still doing 7ks 3 times a week-baller status! And ew…running on highways sounds terrible and dangerous-so I’m glad you don’t do that!
We are the same. I just had to buy Ravery a whole new bag of Sun Chips because he specifically asked me not to eat them all while he was gone for 3 days and I ate the whole damn bag. Mmmm ginger ale….
chelsea recently posted…How to Accomplish Impossible Things (again)
Melinda
July 28, 2014 at 4:21 pm
A half marathon. I ran it last may to celebrate turning 45. I didn’t cry, but that was mainly because I needed all my energy to keep running. 😉
Melinda recently posted…Network Confidently: Get Your Elevator Speech Right. Free Webinar, 1 August 2014
chelsea
July 29, 2014 at 8:15 am
Holy cow-that’s super incredibly that you not only ran a half marathon but that you did to celebrate turning 45 Melinda! Incredible woman! Well done for not crying either 🙂
Marc Gabris
July 29, 2014 at 7:35 pm
Thanks for waiting ; ) I really enjoyed this article and feel motivated at remembering those impossible things. I wish I had more of them. This is also a lesson in not having too high of expectations of yourself or else you don’t appreciate what you do accomplish and build momentum.
1. I learned how to do a kip up after about 15 hours worth of frustrating painful failure for a production of West Side Story.
2. I like how it helps you let out steam.
3. Dark chocolate
chelsea
July 30, 2014 at 11:50 am
Glad you enjoyed the article Marc. I think you can still have high expectations of yourself but it’s true you definitely need to appreciate all the big and little things you’ve accomplished. I just YouTubed ‘kip up’ and that is awesome!! Well done!
Mmmm now I need some dark chocolate. Hope you are doing well!
Amanda
August 1, 2014 at 8:29 am
I love this so much! It’s gotta be super inspiring and empowering to realize just how many amazing things you’ve done. I plan to make my own list soon!
Amanda recently posted…Friday Blog Favorites
chelsea
August 1, 2014 at 11:54 am
So glad you plan on making your list soon Amanda-it is really empowering to look at what you’ve accomplished to give you that extra ‘umph’ when trying new things!
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