
1 minute read
NorthByNorthwestJimRice
SoWhat’sItGonnaTake?
One of the most beautiful places I can think of to go to when I want a getaway is Cultus Bay, just off the southern tip of Whidbey Island in Washington State. Ships pass in the distance between the Straits of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound, which are guarded by the blue-hued, jagged, snowcapped peaks of the Olympic Mountains. Evergreens crowd shoulder to shoulder, hovering on the steep slopes, protecting the bay from northern breezes. There are times when the stillness of the water reflects this scene with a clarity that rivals the original image.
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It’s fun to watch the entire glassy scene set into motion by the jump of the smallest fish as the rings emanate out from its initial breech. So often we have that same clear vision of what needs to be done, but we’re unwilling to make a ripple in the status quo for any number of reasons. The job is too big, too demanding, too risky, or too time consuming to consider. So what should we do? Think big, but start small. It’s not necessary to have a handle on the entire trip, and there is no dishonor in starting small. Just take that first step. Great things will happen!
“Taking first things first often reduces the most complex human problem to a manageable proportion.”
—Dwight Eisenhower
Just starting will give you encouragement. There’s something invigorating about completing a step—it provides energizing momentum to tackle the next step. Have you ever put off developing a new curriculum, avoided hosting your region’s music festival, or procrastinated cleaning the instrument storage room (I was going to say your desk!) because the job seemed too massive? Breaking the endeavor into smaller bits and dealing with them one at a time makes the whole deal less intimidating and more achievable. All around us we hear “don’t sweat the small stuff.” I submit that the opposite really is better. Sweat the small stuff and you won’t have any big stuff!
“If you can’t feed a thousand, then feed one.”—Mother
Teresa
Starting small allows you to focus your attention and set priorities on what is important. I don’t know about you, but this hits me where I live. So often I feel bombarded by so many demands for my attention that I become “frozen”—unsure of how to accomplish it all. Stepping back, simplifying, and setting priorities allows me to focus my energy on manageable, attainable bites. Starting small helps me concentrate on what I can do now and prepare me for bigger things down the road.
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