Making it happen Monday: One thing at a time

173: Planning my daySurely everyone has seen the movie, What About Bob, in which the highly dependent and obsessive-compulsive Bob (Bill Murray) follows his psychiatrist, Dr. Leo Marvin (Richard Dreyfuss) on his family vacation. The events that occur are comedy gold, especially when ultimately it’s Leo who ends up losing his mind and being the one needing psychiatric care.  Now, I’m not here to write about going crazy — though some days I think I might be just moments away from it! — but about the element in the movie of Dr. Leo’s book “Baby Steps”  and the fact that he encourages Bob to take “baby steps” into anything he is afraid to do.

“…baby step onto the elevator… baby step into the elevator… I’m *in* the elevator.”

Sometimes, I think of that when I get overwhelmed. Baby steps. One thing at a time.

Yesterday, I felt myself on the verge of being overwhelmed. I have a couple projects on my plate right now — projects I am thankful for! — and several more in limbo waiting for me to handle them as soon as possible. As I looked at my to do list, looked around my house and the every-day maintenance it needed, and my calendar coming up, I started to freak out a little bit.

And then… then I just started. One thing at a time. It’s all I could do. One thing at a time. Baby steps.

The overwhelmed feeling subsided. I started to enjoy what I was doing. And ultimately… I still have a lot to do. But its still less that it was before. And that… that’s called making it happen.

mihm