#491: They’re in All of Us

Big Ass Things.

On July 24th…
I’m starting one.

I’m walking across Spain.

Despite having already walked across seven countries and pedaled a bike solo across the U.S. twice…I’m still as nervous as hell about this one.

That’s just being REAL.

But I will do it.

I get that carrying a backpack and walking hundreds of miles across a country in sneakers has limited mass appeal, but for me…it IS me. I love world travel, breathing nature, working my body and experiencing crazy cool adventures.

As I psych myself up for this biggie, I thought it would be valuable – for those who are feeling anxiety as they contemplate going after their own biggie – to read the process I follow that gets me started and will keep me going.

Here are U rules I stick to without fail:

Big Thing Rules for Big Ass Things

#1. Breathe Through Panic.

No doubt I will feel…I AM feeling…flashes of 20-foot-tall anxiety waves of “Holy sh*t!” But edgy nerves aren’t an excuse for me to re-think what I’m gonna’ do. I know moments of panic are inevitable…so I counter them with slow, deep breaths. Controlled breathing checkmates panic.

#2. Block Bad Energy.

In the next two weeks, I’ll block out everything that wants to screw with my positive mindset. I know nothing pours cold water on a Big Ass Thing more than a negative Big Ass Person.

#3. See Inches Not Miles.

I’ve already started focusing on just my NOW…and I will keep focusing on every single little NOW until I finish the very last little NOW. It might feel like I’m moving only an inch at a time…but inches consistently walked eventually turn into 200 miles finished.

#4. Things Will Get Uncomfortable.

I know Struggle will nudge me. It’ll rain. I’ll get blisters. My knees will ache. I’ll have difficulty finding vegetarian food. I’ll have moments I’ll wish I were at home sitting on my comfy couch watching a Hallmark movie. I’m not planting seeds that bad will happen; I’m just being realistic in knowing it will. Acknowledging this allows me to build a fortress around my attitude. Bad might happen on the outside…but it isn’t getting inside.

#5. Remember the Scrapbook.

My life scrapbook will be on my mind…the one at the end of life that inevitably I’ll flip through and whisper to myself, “I lived that…and that…and THAT!” Wishes don’t fit in scrapbooks. Only pictures and words of what I did…will.

These are five rules I’m focused on as I prepare.

Big Thing Rules for Big Ass Things.

May one of these ideas add energy, confidence and insight as you go after your biggie…getting healthier, improving success, working through a real-life bad dream, finding the courage, tackling a giant “To Do” list…or whatever it is.

Big Ass Things.

They’re in all of us.

Sometimes we just need to help ourselves in achieving them.