Hi Friend
Last week, I publicly outed myself about needing to incorporate more discipline & focus. One of the areas that had defeated me was mail. Which is kind of funny, because mail isn’t normally considered a foe. As a matter fact I used to love getting mail, whether junk or necessary. It was like a Christmas experience; unknown gifts arriving daily.
With my move to my new home and everything going on in my life, I just didn’t see the necessity of opening mail. I determined if it was something really necessary I’d get an email or call. However I also didn’t just throw it away, because it was a lot of bank, insurance and rental property correspondence. So it piled up in a few places.
Opening mail isn’t hard. It’s what to do with it once it was opened that seemed to lock me up. I function exceptionally well inside process. Creating that process however seems to not only be a challenge, but a mental obstacle I was unwilling to navigate. And we know how much I love obstacles!
I even tried to hire someone to help me with the process to no avail.
When I wrote last week, I didn’t even mention it. I didn’t mention it specifically to Sarah and Monica when I committed to them greater discipline and focus. However, it was what was on my mind. It’s amazing how one thing can grow and grow and grow in our imaginations eclipsing all reasons, while to everyone else it’s a simple task.
Gateway Actions Open Up Momentum
I’m not sure what terminology people use these days, but when I was a kid marijuana was a “gateway drug”. If you did it, it led to soooooo many other drugs and activities. The friends I had who smoked pot, mostly sat around eating chips and listening to Pink Floyd. Though one friend did start dropping acid.
I imagine a gateway as a small tunnel-like access point that is narrow & lengthy but eventually leads to wide open fields of opportunities.
One of the questions I’m regularly asking in our business is “How can we find bigger opportunities?” I want to grow & expand our reach. I wonder if instead of grander stages, we should instead consider what gateways we should explore?
In our personal lives you & I want to grow. We want more for our families, for our future, for our impact and for our own sense of fulfillment.
Gateways
Look small
Hide their destination
Aren’t directly connected
Feel insignificant
Are humbling
I’ve hit a bunch of dead ends going through gateways. I’ve also landed the biggest opportunities of my business via small, unexpected gateways. I did not know that by doing the unimpressive thing, the impressive thing would follow.
I drink from the same coffee mug every day. I got it at Walt Disney World almost 20 years ago. Inside the rim it says “It was all started by a mouse.” What kind of amazing gateway is that?!
Instigating Ideas
1. What’s something small you’re working on now that just might open up new doors?
2. What is something big in your life, that came through an unexpected gateway?
3. Do you lack momentum in your life? Is there an obstacle you need to conquer?
4. Have you avoided doing something small, because you wanted something big instead?
Do The Small Thing!
Because gateways aren’t evident initially our ego tends to tell us we’re too good for such a small undertaking. Or because we don’t see a direct correlation between it and where we want to go, we resist. However, if we approach them with generosity and contribution, regardless of where they lead, they can add value (and we can bring value to it).
Have you ever missed an opportunity because its entryway didn’t look appealing, only to discover those who did, found themselves in a place you wanted to be? Yeah, me too.
I’m grateful for the boost of momentum. If nothing else comes from my de-cluttering activities that alone is profitable.