Hop, Skip, and a Jump

Are you familiar with the phrase "hop, skip, and a jump"?  It is used to describe how close you are to something.  What you want may be within your sight or reach sooner than you think.  You have to be aware of your surroundings and understand that the opening for you to move forward may not be obvious.  Sometimes it is necessary for you to look beyond what is in front of you and prepare for what is around the corner.  Detours are not always bad.  They expose you to new routes and expand your boundaries.  Have you put some things on hold this year or delayed the pursuit of dreams?  They may only be a hop, skip, and jump away.

Hop in when the practice train slows down and opens it doors for you.  It is important to work on your skill (talent, trade, dream, etc.) as often as possible.  If it is singing, cooking, writing, painting, speaking, or any other gift that you want to pursue, then do it repeatedly in order to perfect it.

Skip over the distractions that will lead to frustration and discouragement.  Learn how to make productive use out of unexpected down time.  If you're stuck in traffic, listen to books on tape that will enrich you.  When someone shares bad, or negative, news with you, determine if you can do something about the situation.  If not, a listening ear or shoulder to lean on may be all that you can offer.  Do what you can without getting overwhelmed by what is out of your control.

Jump on the things that you know that you need to do as soon as possible.  Do not procrastinate.  When you gain momentum, keep going.  Set up a consistent routine and do your best to stick to it.  If you need to make calls, sort mail, study, rehearse, or develop samples of your work, select a time/day to devote your attention to it. 

For the second half of this year, get ready to hop, skip, or jump to make things happen for you.  Leave a comment and share your thoughts on this week's post.