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What Tools Do You Really Need to Achieve Your Dream?

Donald Miller

by Donald Miller

Awhile back, I was in LA with a friend and he took me to his favorite taco shop. We were sitting there eating when I realized I’d actually been to the bike shop across the street, nearly five years before. I laughed as I told him I spent a couple hundred dollars on stuff I didn’t need in that very shop.

tools-full

I could remember it so clearly. I was heading out on a cross-country trek, riding from Los Angeles to Delaware and so I stopped and bought supplies at that very store. I bought special pumps, water bottles, velcro straps to hold my tool kit, bike mirrors and more.

I wanted to be ready for anything.

By the time I got to Delaware, though, I didn’t have any of that stuff. It was all dead weight. In fact, none of the real pro riders carry around a bunch of gear. All I needed to cross the country was two spare tubes strapped to my handlebars with a cheap rubber band and a pump. No more, no less. I’ve not ridden with anything else since.

I wonder how much of the rest of life is like that? Do we really need an office and new computers and stationery to start a business? Do we need Bible software and endless seminary classes to start a church? Do we need to read a thousand books on marriage before we tie the knot?

Here’s a tough truth I’ve had to learn:

I probably won’t know what I need till I’m already on the journey. Everybody’s journey is different and everybody is wired differently so what we each need will be different. But we won’t know until we get started.

Most preparation is just a delay tactic because we’re scared.

What if we just stepped into our journey slowly and figured out what resources we needed along the way? What if you started the church and picked up the Bible classes and counseling classes as you needed them? What if you started a business and printed your business cards or bought that new computer the day you realized they were necessary?

What if?

What if the first part of the journey was to just start pedaling?

If I’d had known that five years ago, I’d have saved a couple hundred bucks.

Anybody need a rear-view mirror that sticks out from the end of your handlebars? I found it works better just to turn my head. Also, a bike horn? I have two and don’t use either. And I’ve got a Hello Kitty water bottle if anybody needs that. Let me know.

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Donald Miller

Donald Miller

Donald Miller has been telling his story for more than a decade, now he wants to help you tell yours. He’s helped over 1,000 companies clarify their message through the StoryBrand Workshops. For an introduction to what he’s doing now, check out the 5 Minute Marketing Makeover.

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  • Lars

    Good words Don. I appreciate you consistently being transparent because it helps me grow and be honest with myself.

  • Gerri Garrick

    love this blog! I think this is my fave post thus far! I soooo use preparation as procrastination! Thanks!

  • Tara Schiller

    I love this post.

    I was once at a homeschooling conference where a woman said, “Just because it’s good, doesn’t mean you have to do it.” And I just sighed a huge sigh of relief. There are so many wonderful things you can teach and learn that you want to implement them all. But it’s just not practical or realistic, so choosing just the best for you, is what ends up happening.

    I’ve had to repeat that line to myself over and over again in so many different areas of my life, and it’s made such a difference.

    Thanks for sharing this today.

    http://absolutelytara.com

  • LiveloveDaily

    Helly Kitty? You’re so cute! No seriously, I really enjoy your random posts of thoughtfulness! Thanks so much. 🙂

  • Sarah Wilson

    Um, did you write this just for me? I’m starting a yoga business and keep getting bogged down by concerns about everything I don’t have…a website, business cards, a catchy name. I think I’ll just focus on teaching some classes. Thanks for this reminder. Oh, and I’ll take the Hello Kitty water bottle.

  • Eldfluga

    I need a hello kitty water bottle. This is me letting you know. Where should I send my address? Thanks.

  • thelittleyes

    Very fun post. My wife and I did a bike tour from Vancouver, Canada to the Mexican border last year, and I remember the first thing we did when we got to Oregon was to mail a huge box of stuff to our family in San Diego filled with things we thought we’d need.

    I’ve since experienced this same phenomenon of “not knowing until you know” type of thing, where it’s just about taking those few first steps, and it’s amazing how much your perspective broadens with just that.

    -Samuel
    http://www.thelittleyes.com

  • Sandy_TheScoopOnBalance

    I am the overly-prepared person, always. Slowly, I’m learning to let things go and pack my life more lightly (literally and figuratively). When leaving for vacation with our kids, our mantra is, “There are 100 Wal-Marts between here and there.” It helps me relax about the entire packing process. I don’t like to be caught off-guard and I hate last minute and multiple trips to the store because I forgot something (again, literally and figuratively). So, this is a constant challenge for me in all aspects of life.

  • Holly

    Years ago when I first wanted to start writing I bought many things to “prepare” myself including beautiful stationary. I love the stationary but it was so totally unnecessary. My version of the Hello Kitty water bottle.

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