Just Get Started

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to start.

It’s easy to make up excuses, to not start, but cost of not starting is expensive.

Not starting costs time and time is non-refundable.

One of the things that’s stopping you from starting might be that you think you are not ready.

But it’s like the person who says, I’ll join the gym when I’m fitter, I’m not fit enough to go to the gym.

It just doesn’t make sense.

Call it hesitation, call it procrastination, call it avoidance, whatever you call it, the problem is that your mind is blocking you from reaching your potential.

So how do you overcome this and “Just Get Started?”

There’s a good book by Mel Robbins called “The 5 Second Rule”, definitely worth a read if you find it hard to get started with things.

The core idea is that when you have the notion to do something, you need to take action within 5 seconds or else your mind will stop you from doing it.

It’s when you go, “Oh, how about I go to the beach today and if you don’t immediately take action, your mind is going to give you reasons to not do it, like it’s too hot, or it’s too far, or it’s too late I’m not going to get a carpark.”

It’s your mind dealing with cognitive dissonance and talking you off the edge and be with peace with yourself.

So the 5 second rule is very simple and very useful, because it’s a technique that helps you to break the habit of not starting.

Basically, when you think you should do something, start counting back from 5, so 5,4,3,2,1 and immediately take action. It works because the countdown disrupts the usual pattern of self doubt and taking action will force your mind to fall in line that it’s actually happening.

So get started with the small stuff. Getting out of bed, sending that email, studying the course. The more you do it, the more confident you will become and you will master self doubt and control that little voice telling yourself that you’re not good enough or ready enough.

Just Get Started contributes to Confidence, one of my key to success - Confidence - believe in yourself, be your own cheerleader and start to succeed.

And don’t worry if you’ve not started yet. It’s like the saying: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

It’s not too late to start.

Photo by Gilly Stewart on Unsplash