Baby steps aren't just for babies

When you begin a project, does it seem insurmountable? Or do you begin with a burst of enthusiasm that would be impossible to keep up and then, like a sizzling fire, burn out?

How often have you possessed huge dreams and scarcely could wait for morning so you could make them come true -- become realities? Perhaps you wanted to lose weight and were dying to begin the new diet you just heard about. You planned to exercise every day and get into better shape, too.

You may be wanting to begin a new career, so you excitedly look into going back to school so you can qualify for your dream job, one that will bring you pleasure. There is absolutely nothing stopping you, you fervently declare.

You've always wanted to learn how to dance, so you enroll in a dance class every week, maybe two, you tell yourself.

Or you may be like my husband. He has planned to clean and straighten our garage. You can't even get our cars into it. He has great intentions, but when he looks through the kitchen-door window and sees the mess, he begins another job that is not so overwhelming. If the goal doesn't take as much time and effort, he gets it done.

Jack has submitted his income-tax after the due date for the last three years. He is a perfectionist in the way he copies the data he needs to submit to the accountant. Jack does such a great job of listing everything, I wonder why he even hires an accountant. The job is so overwhelming, he seems to put it off longer each year.

All these scenarios take place for the same reason. People procrastinate because they believe by putting them off, they can delay the pain, inconvenience or time invested until things in their lives are running smoother, they feel more in the mood to tackle the project or they feel better, period.

People also become overwhelmed when they visualize a large chore. It seems impossible or extremely stressful, so they keep putting it off.

There is never going to be a time when you want to begin something you've put off because of the unpleasantness of the project or the time involved.

When children learn to walk, they don't begin by trying to stand up and run across the floor. No, they cautiously pull up and try to walk by holding onto something sturdy.

They fall, many times, but they get back up and try again, over and over. Then, finally, their goal of walking is reached. They begin a little bit at a time, never giving up, but taking small, baby steps they can achieve -- one at a time.

People need to realize baby steps aren't just for babies. If you take baby steps in everything you attempt, you will accomplish what you desire.

Romans 12:12 states, "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer."

Regardless of what you attempt, begin by doing a little bit at a time. Once you begin, you will see some progress, and if you keep whittling your dreaded chore down to size, you'll gain courage to proceed. Little by little will get the job done.

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

It's the do not give up you especially need to remember.

The mustard seed is tiny, but it grows into a humongous plant.

Your goals, though seemingly unreachable, will grow and materialize -- but don't give up.