Six Steps at a Time ...

Have you ever faced a project or challenge that is so 'big' that it feels unbearably daunting and overwhelming? Something that looms so large that it's actually easier NOT to undertake it at all - or at least to keep putting it off?

This month's Tip offers an insight into how to tackle such a situation.



A few weeks ago I went for a long walk with some friends. At about the half way mark we emerged from some woods and our final destination came into view. The point we were aiming for was a stand of trees at the very top of one of the highest spots on the Wiltshire Downs. Not only did it look miles away, but our return journey was almost all uphill!

As we trudged on, feeling somewhat daunted and muttering about the distance we still had to go, one of our party recounted this story:



Once upon a time there was a traveller who was on a long, long journey. After many days he reached the top of a mountain and from there he was able to see his destination in the far distance. He sighed in despair because it seemed so very far away and there were many dangerous rivers and hills to navigate on the way. He felt so overwhelmed by the task in hand that he sank down onto a large rock and held his head in his hands. He sat there for a very long time - until the sun had gone down and the moon had risen in the night sky.



When he looked up again he was startled to see an old man standing before him. "Why are you so dejected?" the man asked. The traveller explained and the old man nodded his head in a way that indicated that he understood.



"Here - take this," he said and handed the traveller a torch.



"What is this for?" the traveller asked, standing and holding the torch out in front of him.



"That is a magic torch." said the old man. "It will illuminate your way, but it will only ever shine six steps in front of you. The answer to your predicament is NOT to think about the distance you have to travel - or where you are headed - but to concentrate merely on the six steps in front of you. Take your journey six steps at a time - the torch will light your way - and you WILL get to your final destination."





This simple story makes so much sense and it can be applied to so many situations. As an example, for the past few months I've been working with a group of GCSE students at a local secondary school - helping them to stay focused on their upcoming exams. As the exams get closer they're feeling increasingly stressed and overwhelmed by the daunting task of revision and they really appreciated this story.



Whatever you may be facing in your life that feels daunting and unmanageable, just remember the "magic torch" and take it six steps at a time.



Have a great week!

Annabel

Annabel Sutton
Professional Certified Coach
Author of '52 Ways to Handle It - a Life Coaching Year'
Coach University Graduate, Member International Coach Federation
Tel: 44 (0)1747 871196
Email: annabel@life-designs.co.uk
Web: http://www.life-designs.co.uk