Happy New Year!  I read this quote posted on the 43 Folders blog from the Scottish mountain climber W. H. Murray:

Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.

I believe this is, indeed, a truth.  Take vacation planning, for example.  Countless business people in my seminars have told me their schedules are so hectic, they can never fit in a vacation.  That’s the wrong approach.  You should first schedule the vacation, then work around it.  You will NEVER miraculously find a block of time on your calendar in which to rest and spend time with your family.  You have to make it happen.  Once it’s on your calendar and PAID FOR (book the cruise, put the deposit on the Club Med vacation, etc.) it’s amazing how you can move heaven and earth to make that a reality.

So in the the New Year, decide what you are going to commit to and START.  It doesn’t even have to be big.  You don’t have to have all these grand project plans broken down by the day, and objectives set so high you’ll give up in two weeks.  Take tiny steps toward your bold goals.

For example, I’ve committed to participating in the Danskin Triathlon in Denver on July 14-15, 2007.  Nope, I’ve never been in a Triathlon.  But Santa brought me a new XBox 360 program called Yourself! Fitness, and I’m just going to take it one step at a time, without locking myself into a set of unrealistic exercise expectations. Now that this is on my calendar, I’ve commited to it, and I’m taking steps toward it, I know that it will happen.  That’s the power of starting.

Now that I’ve put it out there, I’m waiting for Providence to find  a workout partner in Highlands Ranch who’s interested in training with me or anyone in Denver willing to meet me at the Triathlon.  Know anyone?

What are you going to start?