The Sunshine Report Getting Started ‘Karen and Jay share thoughts on the virtue of approaching life’s challenges - taking ‘one step at a time.’ A journey begins with the first step. And getting started, taking that first step is often the hardest part of the whole experience. How many times have you had a true deep-down desire to do something – to accomplish something really important – but you just couldn't seem to muster up the conviction to take the first step? Whether you feel you don’t have the energy - or maybe it’s the courage that you just don’t seem to have – whatever it is that you are missing, you just don’t take that first step. And success truly is all about just taking ‘one step at a time.’ The idea of breaking things down into manageable chunks – and moving forward. When I was growing up, my mother had a saying that I remember her telling me on so very many occasions. If she sensed that I was experiencing a certain reticence to get moving on something that I really needed or wanted to get done, she would say ‘Dear, just start putting one foot in front of the other.’ And she’s not the only voice I still hear from time to time. I often come back to an insight that Steve Jobs shared – when thinking about how things actually get done – and in essence, the process of success. He said ‘you can always connect the dots going backwards – in retrospect’ – in other words, you can explain the sequence of events, the progression of how you got from where you once were to where you’ve ended up. But you can’t do it the other way around. ‘You can never connect the dots going forward.’ There’s just no way to know exactly how the whole progression of steps will unfold. The implication, of course, is that you just have to get started, take the first step and have the courage and agility to figure things out along the way. Course-correct as you go – taking one step at a time – and in that way, move ahead to make good things happen. Approaching life's challenges one step at a time is a powerful mindset that can help us overcome obstacles and achieve our goals. When we take things one step at a time, we break down complex challenges into manageable tasks, reducing stress and all those things that tend to overwhelm us. It helps us focus our attention and energy on what we can do in the present moment, rather than worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. One of the key virtues of approaching challenges one step at a time is that it helps us to build momentum. Taking small steps consistently can add up to big progress over time. For example, if someone wants to lose weight, they may feel overwhelmed by the idea of losing 50 pounds. But if they focus on losing just one pound at a time, they can build momentum and develop the habits and mindset necessary for sustained progress. This approach can help to create a positive feedback loop, where small successes build confidence and motivation, leading to even greater progress. Another virtue of this approach is that it encourages us to cultivate patience and perseverance. And how many of us can ‘lack patience’ from time to time! When we approach challenges with a long-term perspective, we are less likely to get discouraged by setbacks or failures. Instead, we can view these setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow, and to adjust our approach accordingly. This mindset can help us to develop resilience and grit, which are essential qualities for achieving success in any area of life. And, in some ways, also puts us in the mindset of ‘not beating ourselves up’ when something goes awry, or when we feel like we’ve had a bit of a misstep. One real-life example of the power of approaching challenges one step at a time is the story of J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series. Rowling faced a number of setbacks and rejections before finally achieving success with her writing. However, she never lost sight of her goal and continued to take small steps towards her dream, such as writing for even just a few minutes a day. This persistence and dedication eventually paid off, and Rowling went on to become one of the most successful authors of all time. Another example is the story of Diana Nyad, the swimmer who famously swam from Cuba to Florida at the age of 64. Nyad had attempted the swim four times before finally succeeding, and she approached the challenge one step at a time, breaking the journey down into manageable chunks. Rather than focusing on the distance she had left to cover, she focused on swimming one stroke at a time, and took breaks every hour to refuel and rest. This approach allowed her to build momentum and overcome the physical and mental challenges of the grueling journey. Approaching life's challenges one step at a time is a powerful mindset that can help us to build momentum, cultivate patience and perseverance, and achieve success in any area of life. By breaking down complex challenges into manageable tasks and focusing on the present moment, we can overcome obstacles and achieve our goals, one step at a time. And as my mother used to say, ‘Just take the first step – and then put one foot in front of the other.’ When you take this approach, marvelous things are likely to happen! Read The Report Appalachian Trail - Five Million Steps   Read More The Boston Marathon – 'One Step at a Time!' Read More Positive Profile of the Week: Travis Mills – ‘One Step at a Time’ – with a Very Special Meaning This week, we are delighted to highlight a leader who truly embodies the spirit of ‘one step at a time’ through his faith and his remarkable life story – Travis Mills of Maine. Like so many, Karen and I are very thankful for the service and sacrifice of our many veterans. The story of Travis Mills is very special – and immensely inspiring. Travis was a staff SGT in the 82nd Airborne division. During his third tour in Afghanistan, he was the victim of an IED resulting in critical injuries that cost him portions of both legs and both arms. He received and continues to get care to assist him and is in fact one of only five quadruple amputees to survive such injuries who fought in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. You would think that ‘would be it’ for Travis, but it wasn't. Members of the military are trained to overcome, to rise to the occasion, and to assist their fellow soldiers in arms. That's what Travis did and continues to do to this day. He tells his story of overcoming what seems like overwhelming odds in a New York Times Best Selling book titled ‘Tough as They Come.’ Today, he serves as a motivational speaker bringing a spirit of positivity and overcoming challenges. But Travis’s biggest commitment was the opening of the Travis Mills Foundation Home in Rome, Maine. Travis and his volunteer team raised nearly $3 million to purchase and rehab the Elizabeth Arden estate in Rome, Maine, turning it into a totally free retreat for military families and special needs veterans. The retreat is fully handicapped accessible and features not only events like water sports but prepares veterans who have had some setbacks with the training they need to adapt to everyday life. Some of this training includes how to use traditional gym equipment, things to be ready for when returning home, and ways you can take what you learn and apply it to help others.  This amazing program at the Travis Mills Foundation is called The Warrior Path. The seven-day on site initiation begins at the foundation’s retreat in Maine then continues for 3 months with additional off-site training. I encourage you all to visit travismillsfoundation.org and see first-hand the impact Travis and the foundation are making day in and day out. I am not surprised that Travis has and will always be ‘Army Strong’ as he serves as an army of one to help those in need to better themselves - the ones we love, those who have served, and our country! Thank you, Travis, for your amazing inspiration and leadership! Quote of the Week "You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."  - Martin Luther King Jr.     Jay Lucas | www.JayLucas.us  Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email Jay Lucas | 7 Portwalk Pl, Portsmouth, NH 03801 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]