Wishing On Stars: The Grown Up Version
I still wish on stars.I'm 30 years old now, but when the night's clear, I look up and spot the first star I see and I physically pause wherever I am. I sing the children's nursery rhyme in my head as I focus on that one brilliant pinhole of light."Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might have the wish I wish tonight..."And then I close my eyes and breathe into exactly what it is that I want. It's usually the same: certain qualities I want in my life rather than specific events or things. Then, I blow a kiss to the star... which is not really how the traditional wish goes, but it's my own personal touch. Maybe that kiss is what I owe many of my blessings to.When I do this, some people laugh at me. They think it's silly or juvenile or ridiculous that I still take the time to wish on stars.I think it's precisely this ability to dream that has led me to where I am now, incredibly grateful, living the life of my purposeful creation.When I launched the crowdfunding campaign for 30x30 a year ago Saturday (happy anniversary, hope movement!), I was racked with fear that I would make a fool of myself trying to accomplish such a humongous goal. My reader base was (and is) extremely loyal, but it was only a few hundred people. I could only hope that word would get out... or could I?Instead of sitting back and wishing it would happen, I planned out exactly how I would get the word out. I became active on every channel I could think of, and actually asked for help... which was new to me. I've always been the DIY-er in my life, which has gotten me into some major trouble.
I stayed consistent with the level of effort I was putting forth, because nothing had ever mattered so much to me.
This dream was the culmination of everything I had been wishing on stars for my entire life. I had never wanted anything so badly in my life.Even with the extreme amount of fear, pressure and inexperience, the passion and consistency in action helped me accomplish what a couple years before had seemed impossible.Many of you have written to me about how much you wish you could change, but you just have a hard time starting. I think it has a lot to do with overwhelm.It's easy to wish for something. It's easy to say, "If I had X, Y & Z going for me, I would live like this..."But when it comes to action–the most crucial part of the process–we get easily overwhelmed because we look at ALL it's going to take to get to our destination. I know I did. Scheduling, raising money, getting the word out, actually teaching all the bootcamps, keeping up with every location, and trying to run 2 businesses at the same time?! It would have kept me from doing any of it if I had focused on all of it at once.Instead, I chose to keep my focus on what was important, and act on each task it would take to get there at a time. I like to think of it as the grown up version of wishing on stars: I wished for my end goal, then listed out exactly what needed to be done, and set priorities for each. Then, I took one step at a time. And I kept taking them.This is not a super power. It is a choice each of us is capable of making NOW.To commit to consistent action is incredibly scary to us because we tell ourselves that we can't bow out if it's too much. If we start, we better finish.But who makes that rule for us? Who says that we can't leave if we're not digging it?By committing to taking one step at a time, you also commit to listen to yourself throughout every step of the journey. If what you're doing is no longer worth the end goal, there is no need to continue.You will not be a failure if you choose not to continue. You are not locked down by taking the first step.If you allow yourself to embrace this truth, the commitment seems a lot less intimidating. The actions, taken at their own pace, one at a time, seem clearer and more manageable.Wishes no longer seem like ethereal gifts bestowed upon you by stars. They become actionable processes that lead to a tangible end result.Now, when I wish on stars, I find myself wishing for these blessings to continue, instead of wishing for them to start. And I know, as long as I consistently take action, they will.
Tonight, let's all look up at the stars with a new perspective: that those wishes are in our hands, not in the sky.
When you wish on that star, back it up with a plan, and the whole night sky is yours.*****Speaking of tours...The Strong Inside Out Tour is taking shape for this summer! I'm really really REALLY excited to see you all in person again and amplify this message of hope something serious.
I hope you'll come join me again for a butt-kicking celebration of hope through movement!
Though this year's tour won't be to 30 cities, I will be making it out to many major ones. If you want me to come to your city, I have some good news! I'll be working with local partners in the cities I visit, and I would love for you to be one of them!
To bring this movement to your city, please sign up right here so I can let you know about the process:
[gravityform id="4" name="Partner Up" description="false"]I hope to have the cities mapped out quite soon, so please don't delay if you want your city on the Strong Inside Out Tour Map! (signing up to be a partner doesn't fully commit you. Remember? we just talked about this ;))If you know of a local business, gym or organization that might be interested, it would help me so much if you could put me in touch. You can email me directly if they're interested. Thank you so much!This year's gearing up to be a mighty strong one, guys. Let's get ready for this ride together.Stay strong,Amy