Walking on Ice

So about two months ago, I was busy working the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Unlike most of the country at that time, the festival had surprisingly warm weather with no snowfall during the actual festival. However, I arrived over a week before the festival kicked off and one last winter storm hit before the crowds descended on Park City. Even with the snow and heavy winds, I walked to and from my shift each day.

At the end of one long shift, I walked out of the Sundance Headquarters to find an ice rink of a sidewalk.

Did I turn around and wait outside for 20 minutes to take the free Park City Transit? No.

Did I sprint home? No, not that either.

I did what most of the county does when their is icy sidewalk.

I walked deliberately. Very deliberately.

After taking this one iPhone photo you see here, I put the phone away.

And then I started walking. Focusing on each step.

Yes, there were a few slips here and there, but I never fell down. I just regained my balance, and I started walking again.

My readers on the east coast might chuckle a bit at this post. After all, walking on ice has been a reality far too often these past few months, and I imagine most don’t really have too much trouble with it at this point. You just need to follow the steps: focus on walking: step by step. If you slip, pause, regain your balance, and start walking again.

And yet, these are the similar steps we need to do to make positive change happen in our life: minimize some of the distractions, focus on each step, if you slip, pause, and start again.

My health is a major goal for me in 2014. I recognize that with the busy nature of my fall travel and my busy 2013 in personal life, I really let it slip. So now, with the added days at home that spring brings, I’m minimizing my distractions–no social media for me between 7am-3pm, and instead gradually adding more health improvements. Instead of wasting that time on facebook and twitter, I’m making grocery runs, reading healthy recipes, and cooking some really healthy (and tasty) meals. Next week, I’m adding CrossFit to the mix. One step at a time.

So what’s your goal? And what’s your first step?