In our modern culture of instant everything, do you feel as if you were trying to live in the old children’s story of Jack & the Beanstalk?  You remember: Jack finds magic beans that sprout overnight into the beanstalk that leads him to an instant solution to his problems.  But while we look for the magic beans, we put off the small daily actions that will actually get us somewhere.  I call this the “microwave mentality,” and I see it affecting people in their health, finances, and relationships.

Magic Pills, Patches, and Powders
Have you fallen for the media hype of the latest pill, patch, or diet that is going to turn you into a new person practically overnight with no effort?  I was on that merry-go-round for years.  I lost the same 20 or 30 pounds over and over again, only to gain it back with a few more.  The reality is that these instant solutions don’t work, or any results are short-lived.  And in the process, we are kept from the real solution – making small, gradual lifestyle changes over time. 

As you focus on making healthy choices each day, you will feel better about yourself, build up a track record of successes, and see gradual but real progress being made.  You will be looking big picture and long-term, not just being caught up in the “right now.”

Lucky Lottery
We’re also bombarded with sales pitches for the latest marketing program that runs itself and will provide a six-figure income without us having to lift a finger.  We buy lottery tickets hoping for that lucky windfall, or we just bury our heads in the sand and believe that somehow we will be able to retire even though we have little to no savings and a huge debt load.  We hit our 40s thinking that it’s too late; we’ve missed our chance to build a nest egg.  In the meantime, unless we find some way to make a huge leap financially, or come up with a large sum to invest, we do nothing.

If you saved only $1 per day, and invested it at 15%, in 40 years you would have a million dollars.  Coming up with $1 day is not hard.  One method is to just save your change, or have $30 automatically taken out of your paycheck and put into a savings account.  Opportunities to invest at a higher interest rate will arise if you have some money set aside.  Sound too simple, or too “not enough”?  Well, if all you did was throw your change in a big jar, you’d have about $300 in a year.  That’s without investing it.  If I offered to hand you $300 right now, no strings attached, would you turn it down because it’s not a large enough sum? I doubt it. Don’t allow the microwave mentality to prevent you from saving something, even if it’s just a little bit.  Little bits have a way of turning into rivers.

“Just Add Water” Relationships
With one click we can add “friends” to whichever social space we’re on – click, instant relationship.  But it doesn’t work that way in real life.  To get to know another person takes time, commitment, and daily dialogue.  The “quality-not-quantity” lie persists, as if a few minutes of “quality” time with someone can make up for the hours and days of a relationship vacuum in between.  It would be like trying to sew with a few big knots here and there.  But it’s the tiny, consistent stitches that hold a garment together.  Real relationships that endure take long-term commitment and daily effort.  There is no “instant.”

Each day, write down something positive about your loved one.  Be generous with praise, say “thank you” a lot.  Give heart hugs, and say “I love you.” Focus on their good qualities, the things that attracted you to them in the first place. Give them as much of your time as you can.  Talk to them, not at them, and learn the art of listening.  Above all, view the relationship as a permanent part of your life, not something that will ever be thrown aside.

Little Things Add Up
If a ship left New York heading for England, and the rudder was off just one degree, the ship would end up somewhere in Africa.  The fact is, small consistent actions over a period of time bring huge results.   Ditch the microwave mentality.  Stop procrastinating, avoiding daily actions while you wait for your magic beans.  Don’t worry about taking huge leaps forward.  Each day, do one thing, one little thing, to move you towards your goals.  A year from now you will look back and be amazed at the progress you have made.

A Helping Hand
Sometimes, we just need a helping hand, a gentle nudge, or someone to hold us accountable without passing judgment.  This is what I do, and if you’d like a complimentary, no strings attached, coaching session, contact me.  At the least, you’ll receive your own personalized action plan.  And if you choose to continue, my coaching programs begin for as little as $12.50 per week.  Get more details HERE.

From my heart to yours,
Karen