Are You Ready to Get in the Game?

If you’re a parent like me, you probably spend a fair amount of time on the sidelines, cheering on your kids while they participate in their favorite activities. I stand on the sidelines to cheer on my daughter at her cross country meets, and sit on the bleachers cheering on my son at his basketball games. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. As a former high school cheerleader and current online workshop instructor and organizing coach, cheering others on is in my blood. I love watching my children play sports they enjoy, and there is little I find more rewarding than seeing my clients achieve success in their lives. But as much as I love cheering others on, sometimes I yearn to be in the game myself. I want to go for my own goals.

Has this ever happened to you? Have you seen someone else doing something in their life that makes you want to create a change in your own life? Have you ever wondered how to achieve goals of your own? If you’re ready to “get in the game” in some area of your life…but feel as if something is holding you back, use the following ideas to help you move past those blocks and get in the game.

Declutter your to-do list.

If you feel like you already have too much on your plate and your to-do list is weighing you down, this can be a big deterrent to getting off the sidelines. If you’re feeling burdened by your to-do list, try this. First, do a “brain dump.” Get everything that is vying for your attention out of your head and onto a piece of paper or capture it in your favorite electronic device. Then, step back and assess what you see. What is truly urgent or important? What is simply to-do list clutter that is getting in the way of how you really want to spend your time? Explore ways to dump those non-value-added activities by deciding not to do them, simplifying them or getting help from someone else. Then, look for ways to complete as many little, lingering (and nagging) to-dos as possible. Completing tasks and clearing to-do list clutter will boost your confidence. Are you ready to get in the game now?

Clear some physical clutter.

Physical clutter in your home can keep you on the sidelines. Clutter can prevent you from entertaining and having friends over for dinner. It can make it difficult to relax, sleep well and perform basic daily activities like cooking, cleaning or doing laundry. It’s hard to play big when you’re tired or dragged down by clutter. But here’s some good news: Decluttering is free and you can make progress even if you’re short on time. Take 15 minutes today and let go of some easy clutter—items you know in an instant that you no longer use, need or love. You’ll create breathing room and energy, and you just might find you feeling like decluttering for longer than 15 minutes. Repeat this process daily or several times a week until your home is how you want it to be. Then, get into the game: Throw that party or have those friends over for dinner. Ahh…that feels better, doesn’t it?

Get help.

Often, we sit on the sidelines and avoid doing something new—even things we really, really want to do—simply because we don’t already know how to do it. Does this sound familiar? If so, keep this in mind: If it’s something new, you aren’t supposed to know how to do it. (At least not yet.) It’s okay if you don’t know how; in fact, that just comes with the territory of getting into a new game. Instead of staying on the sidelines, get some help. Do you have a friend who’s already “in the game?” Could you read a book, take a class, or hire a coach or mentor? Absolutely! No matter what change you want to make—or new game you want to play—someone else has done the same as you already! Get the help you need…and then get off the sidelines, my friend! Your life is waiting for you, and you can already hear those cheers from the crowd!