What Will Be Different This Time?

Throughout our lives, we have bursts of action toward realizing our most coveted dreams and goals. Yet, many of us hit barriers and retreat to our places of comfort.

To make lasting progress, we must identify past pitfalls and consider what will be different this time. No one explained this concept better than Portia Nelson in her book There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk:

“I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in…it’s a habit.”

Simply identifying problems isn’t enough to break habits. To avoid the same mistakes and make real progress, you must outline concrete actions and processes and hold yourself accountable.

This is where many people fall short. Sometimes excitement takes over, and moving at pace is far more attractive than planning. Other times, our self-saboteur works silently in the background, turning our fear of success into reality.

Here is your mission for today:

Reflect on the obstacles you have hit along the path to your goals, and ask yourself what will be different this time. Make a detailed plan to turn these insights into action. Invest in your dreams—they are worth it, and so are you!