I recently completed one of my life goals yesterday: I went downtown (Chicago if you’re curious) alone. Yes, I know that it may not be a big deal, and yes, going downtown is probably an everyday occurrence for most of you, but for me, this was HUGE.
Among my friends, I’m notorious for not being able to specify where I am by anything other than building name, even if I’ve been in a particular area over a dozen times. I’m the guy that knows exactly where everything is, but can’t give specific directions on how to get there.
I had been meaning to go downtown for ages now. I really was. I wanted to traverse the windy city and explore it to the fullest. I pictured myself, camera in hand, meeting new people, walking through the malls, eating at a hot dog stand – as you can see, I had the vision.
But, you see, whenever I talked about this goal that I so vividly pictured in my head, I tended to do nothing afterwards. I’d talk a big game, but I wouldn’t feel the need to show anything for it.
I guess somehow I thought my goal would just achieve itself (as I type this, I’m chuckling to myself). How stupid I was being thinking that somehow problems would just solve themselves!
I realize now that what I was doing was just sugar-talking (it sounds sweet, but in the end, it’s just talk). I wasn’t making any headway on what I wanted to do. My goal just sat there in the back of my head, gathering dust.
I was the rock
In more ways than one, you could say I was acting like a rock. Stubborn as ever, not caring if I achieved my goal or not, but still willing to blab about it. I didn’t move backwards, forwards, sideways, anyways – I just stood still. No progress was lost or gained. The winds of change blew right past me. You could even say that it was eroding away my self respect over time.
But at some point, I got tired of being the rock. People were out there actually doing things. And what was I doing? Absolutely nothing, that’s what.
Be the snail
In one fell swoop, I decided to graduate my mindset: from rock to snail. No longer would I sit idle, forever waiting for the right moment. I would take a chance, ease in and hope for the best. I knew that the best course of action wasn’t just to start taking buses and trains by myself, hoping to make it to Chicago (that would be stupid). Instead I inched toward my goal, going on trips with friends to get a lay of the land. I would sometimes wander off to be a little adventurous outside of the group and return shortly after.
In time, I would be ready to face one of my biggest challenges yet.
Did I succeed?
Being a snail paid off in a big way: so much so that I succeeded. It wasn’t as difficult as I imagined, to be honest. I guess I was being hard-headed for no reason. But now I know that whenever I tackle a goal, simply be a snail.
“In philosophy if you aren’t moving at a snail’s pace you aren’t moving at all.” – Iris Murdoch
How are you going about achieving your goals? Are you slowly making progress or are you not making any at all?
photo credit: Robert Thomson
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20 comments to “When Taking Action, Be the Snail and Not the Rock”
I love how creative you are in your writing. It makes me keep coming back for more. The photo is a hit as well!
I’m a snail! I’m moving forward everyday and taking people with me! Watch out 2010…the best is yet to come.
Hi John. I agree that what is important is that you move, inch your way to some kind of progress. I’ve been a rock in a few areas of my life; no progress was made. Yes, I may have tried, but I didn’t try hard enough to see some kind of result. I ended up falling back to being a rock, stuck in one place. I think my problem was that I was afraid to be a snail, I wanted to make progress at a faster pace. This was also a mistake because I ended right back where I started.
I love your analogy of being a snail. After many fail attempts, I believe being a snail is the best way to be in order to achieve your goals. Congrats and making a huge step by visiting downtown by yourself!!!
Cheers John for making the trip down here to the city (I’m writing this from a Caribou in River North). No doubt a daunting task – I still grip the wheel like an old lady when I drive around down here – but I’m quickly learning.
I think the “snail” analogy works in that, if nothing else, you’re moving – you’re working toward you goals. With that being said, at times you have to pick up the pace, you need to throw yourself into the fire and learn on the fly. There’s a balance the small steps and giant leaps.
In the end, as long as you’re moving and learning, you’re living.
What a great post! I could totally relate to this because I’m always getting lost and it’s so much easier to just stay in my comfort zone. More and more I’m trying to break out of that and it really is exciting!
I moved to Chicago in August of 2004, having never been there before, and not knowing a single person in the city. I rented an apartment sight unseen, and had all of my belongings shipped up there ahead of me. I had never ridden public transportation, seen more than a foot of snow at a time, or lived in a big city before.
It was awesome. It was amazing, and it was wonderful. Before I left two years later, I knew most of the city like the back of my hand. I had explored all the neighborhoods, and had met so many amazing people. It truly was one of the best times of my life.
So kudos to you for getting out and exploring! The more you do it, the easier it will become, and soon you’ll be giving other people tours around the city!
Hey John. Thanks for sharing this. It’s nice that you made a move towards Chicago. I would love to visit there one day. It can be scary to go to downtown city alone especially if you know nobody. Taking small steps and “moving in snail pace” is a good way to build confidence and get to one’s goal.
Good job, John! I think what you did is pretty similar to the philosophy of Kaizen–how small incremental changes can build upon each other and result in the completion of massive goals.
It’s a great way to approach problems and is often less of a shock to the system than making huge sweeping changes all at once.
You Know, Chukwuma, your writing is very inspiring. So much so that I have started to read your blog religiously. And your creativity, not too elaborate or complicated, but simple yet insightful, is incredible. Im glad you finally went downtown by yourself, now its my turn to start being a snail insted of a rock.
@Tess – Yeah, you go Tess! Everyone better watch out for you – it’s gonna be awesome
Any plans you care to elaborate on?
Oh and I like the photo, too. It really spoke to me.
@Patrice – We’ve all been rocks at one point or another – whether it was due to intimidation or just plain stubbornness (as in my case). Venturing downtown wasn’t too bad… I might be up for it again when I have less work in the future!
@Matt – Hey Matt, Welcome to the blog! Hope you’re liking your first visit.
Great insights man. Indeed, we do have to be able to push ourselves a little faster in order to get farther ahead. I’m sure you’re thinking the same thing as you grip the steering wheel across River North. Good luck with your travels man, and thanks for stopping in!
@Dani – Hey Dani! No worries, you’ll break out of it soon enough! Getting lost is just half the fun…
@Jay – Yeah man, Chicago is really nice isn’t it? Stepping out alone really made me appreciate the real beauty of the city. I was exploring on my own, and man was it exhilarating! I don’t know about me being a tour guide, but maybe I’ll be able to give directions to those who need help next time.
@Tristan – Hey Tristan, no problem
It was tough, but I made it. You should definitely come by. We can explore even more of the city as a dynamic duo.
@Clayton – I’ve heard of Kaizen all over the place, but never knew what it was. Thanks for the awesome definition. The best way to do things is always one step at a time.
@Tamari – Thanks man! I’m happy you like the blog. You’re too kind – I don’t know what to say.
Keep on moving forward, Tamari. Be the snail, not the rock
Yay for you, John! Your post reminds me so much of the fear of going to the dentist. We put it off, think it will be so awful, but in the end it is not a big deal and whew, now it’s finally over. It’s the put off part that I confess I do over a lot of things – not the dentist per se, but that ole procrastination over nothing!
I agree with the others – your writing is creative and delightful to read! Keep on shining!
Well I am very happy you didn’t get blown away by the wind.
Love you creativity with this one.
Nice one John. I loved your phrase ‘Graduate my mindset’.
@Suzen – Oooo, the dentist
The dentist used to freak me out too, but in the end it wasn’t a big deal. It takes a lot of courage to finally take action, but once you do, you’ll feel great about it!
Thank you so much. I’m glad you liked this one
@Bunny – Thanks Bunny! It was quite an adventure
@Steven – Thanks for everything, man! You could use that phrase in a future post if you want
I love downtown Chicago! I really like the whole area. I didn’t go there by myself, went with some folks who were from there and got a nice tour.
You are so creative, I enjoy the way you use your personal thoughts and experiences to encourage others to escape the bonds that hold us back.
Erin! Nice to see you! I love Chicago too. It may be the windy city, but it’ll always have a place in my heart. Thanks for the compliment – it really means a lot, you don’t even know
I love the analogy of rock vs. snail!
Sometimes it feels easier to be the rock. But I, like you, am working on being the snail more often. The more I see and do, the more I realize how very much I like being the snail compared to the rock
Take care
@Stacy: Hey Stacy! Welcome to the blog. Happy that you liked my analogy
You take care as well.