This post is very different from the other posts on this blog. Instead of being informational, it’s a guided visualization to help with overcoming the intimidation involved with “taking action” in our lives. Because let’s be honest, taking action to achieve something, no matter how big or small, can be scary as hell.

Reading this will likely bring up some emotions. But ultimately, it will offer you permission to keep trying, even when the going get’s tough.

To start, think of something you’d like to achieve in your life. 

Whether it’s learning a new skill, creating something, improving yourself, or improving your circumstances, try to choose something you’d really have to work for. 

Then, imagine yourself having this internal monologue in relation to your goal. My hope is that this will feel honest and realistic, yet comforting and encouraging.

Got your goal? 

Alright, let’s try it.

*Beginning of Monologue*

Imagine you think to yourself…

Today, I’m staring the beginnings of (insert your big goal here) in the face. 

I’m looking at the million things I could do to make progress, as well as the million ways it could all go wrong. And in this space of simultaneous possibility and fear, I notice I’m not as alone as I thought.

There are so many other people who once had a long path to a big goal laid out before them…

many of whom had similar goals to mine.

They also saw similar barriers; some simple, some complex, some as heavy as a loaded semi-truck.

And somehow, if and when they managed to lift that truck, whatever it was, they emerged stronger. The struggle made them more resilient. 

I notice that hardly any of these people knew what they were doing when they began. 

When they stared down their long path, they had no idea what would appear along the way. They had no idea what it would take to get to the end.

But they didn’t need to know. They just needed to figure it out. 

So I say to myself, “I don’t know what I’m doing yet, and that’s okay.”

I think about how far they must’ve felt from their vision. How exhausted they might have been from the missteps and moments that didn’t work out in their favor. The beatdowns, the backslides, the snide comments from other people.

I relate to this, because I too feel far away from my goal. I too feel exhausted at times.

But if they were here, they’d tell me to hang in there.

So I say to myself, “(Your name), you can bring it closer, bit by bit.”

I know the action I’ll need to take is big, long, repetitive, and I can feel it’s shadow casting over me.

It’s overwhelmingly big. Intimidating.

It’s darkness could easily be the conclusion of this fight; my fight to live how I want to live, and make the impact I want to have. 

But I wonder.. which is worse? The intimidation? Or having to admit that I didn’t actually try everything I could? 

I decide that giving in to the intimidation (i.e. letting it win) is worse than facing it.

And since I can’t bear to think of my goal coming to its demise, I set to work at shrinking the shadow. 

I chip away at its influence with whatever tools I have with me. 

Sometimes it feels like I have an ax to chop it down. 

If I need to, I allow myself to rest, regain my strength, then get back to it.

Over time, I stumble around, trying out many things. Some work, some don’t. 

And I say to myself, “This is harder than I thought, and that’s okay.”

Sometimes new things make the shadow appear larger than it was yesterday. 

But I trust that if I keep digging, one day it’ll be no more. 

Because if I don’t, I know for certain that it will stay.

When I really feel stuck, I don’t interpret it as a reason to quit. 

I take it as a sign to look outwards. So I seek out support, resources, and anything that can help me become stronger than the shadow.

I notice there are so many places to look for these things. I search high and low, ask passerbys, phone friends, try new angles, and of course, consult the internet.

And through all this, my strength builds. 

I build. 

So I say to myself, “You are strong.” and “You are getting stronger.”

*End of Monologue*

Now take a deep breath.

What came up for you during that monologue? How can you relate to this struggle? 

Which words felt most reassuring or relieving to you? 

I recognize that this piece does not reflect the reality of everyone’s goal pursuits, but it certainly includes many experiences and feelings that are common and somewhat universal. 

My challenge for you is to take whatever piece of this monologue that felt helpful to you, and carry it with you. Write it on a sticky note or find an object that represents it, and give yourself an opportunity to be reminded of it. 

That way, the next time you feel the weight of the truck, or the darkness of the shadow, or any other form of intimidation, you’ll have something small to help guide you through it. 

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What does the intimidation of taking action feel like to you? I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment or send me a message to share your thoughts. For more uplifting content, check out some other posts on my blog, follow me on instagram @morgan_barbret, or sign up for the Self Love Atlas Newsletter!

Much Love, 

Morgan Rita Barbret