What We Can Learn From the "Little Engine That Could!" Tips to Move Forward...

 

Sometimes as writers and bloggers, our goals seem a bit lofty.

Perhaps it's to win a prestigious award, or to pen a best selling novel, or to earn six figures in the next 12 months.

We start out with the best intentions, as we chart our course and prepare for the journey.
But later we become discouraged. We lose steam. There are many detours along the way: a financial setback, rejections, self-doubt. The load becomes heavy. Our view becomes clouded. We can't seem to see "the light at the end of the tunnel."

Sound familiar?  Don't let obstacles take you off course.
Just look at the "Little Engine that Could."
Raise your hand if you remember the story. :-)

For those that don't, here's a brief 4-1-1.
It's a kid's story that is said to have origins back in the 1930's.
It tells the tale of how several large engines were asked to pull a long train over a difficult mountain; they all refused.

All except a little blue engine, who with a little positivity, "forward" thinking and determination, was able to get the job done.

Here are a few lessons we can take from it, as we move forward in our careers in 2014.

1. There's great truth to the adage: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step." Do something. Join a writer's group. Find a mentor. Take a class. Start a blog. Stop wasting time. You'd be surprised how a small investment of your time can yield major results. 
2. When you feel like you're losing steam, keep going...take a break as needed, but don't give up. Change your routine. Or your scenery. Or simply reframe your thoughts. And don't forget to be your own cheerleader by celebrating small successes and victories along the way.
3. Don't be intimidated by your size. Are you a blogger with a small audience? Do you feel "little" in comparison to the big sites that get loads of comments and awards? Know that there's a place for you too in your niche. You don't have to have a big audience to make a big impact. Always do your best and be authentically you.
4. Think positively. Remember, "As a man thinketh, so it is." Our history is full of "famous" people that were told that they "couldn't"--actors, athletes, and entrepreneurs like Lucille Ball, Walt Disney, Michael Jordan---but they refused to allow others to define their dreams. You shouldn't either. Don't let negative people derail you.
5. Carry your weight. Don't expect others to do the work for you. Ask for help when needed, but know that the road to success comes from plugging away and pushing ahead through your own efforts. Week after week. Month after month. Year after year. Consistently.

Heed these timely strategies to cover more ground and go the distance in 2014.
I think you can! I think you can! I think you can!

Thoughts here? Anything you would add?