There is a time and a place for goal setting, planning and preparation. But the day to day business of healing and recovery demands that you focus on the here and now.

When people come along to therapy, they describe the changes they want to make. One reason that they seek help is because they look at the big challenges ahead and feel overwhelmed. They don’t feel confident in their ability to get there alone. This is normal.

If you stand at the foot of any mountain and look up, the idea of climbing all that way is overwhelming. As a result, you are more likely to give up.

So how do we keep going when the journey is long? Be intentional about where you place your attention. Narrow your focus to the next step in front of you. No further. The best example of this comes from the worlds best living explorer, Ranulph Fiennes. He spoke about how he endures long, painful journeys through the most hospitable regions on the planet.

“I just keep putting one foot in front of the other and trudging forward, thinking that there is no end point to the journey.”

Ranulph Fiennes

Sounds simple right? Simple but not always easy. It takes practice. But if you are trying to make positive change in your own life, this tool is key. Why? Because change is hard. Then maintaining that change is hard too. Looking too far ahead when you are already struggling can give you strong urges to give up. So the polar plod of recovery means just focusing on today. Today is achievable. Keep doing that and, before you know it, you are well on your way.

So focus on keeping one promise to yourself today. Then tomorrow do the same. I have seen this process work for many, many people on the toughest roads to recovery. Give it a try and let me know your experiences.