I was standing frozen on the front on my yoga mat this morning. I do a series of seven sequences of about 14 poses each. It only takes me about 15 minutes but it’s amazing how often I unroll the mat, step into position, and find that I don’t want to begin.
I know that the sixth sequence with side plank pose is the hardest for me and I don’t want to tackle that early in the morning. Or if my head is a little stuffy from the night, I’ll think that I don’t want to do downward dog. I have all sorts of reasons that it’s hard to take a deep breath and move.
I think of all the things that it’s hard to start. When I was climbing mountains, it was always that move to shoulder the pack and take the first step.
Or when I have a topic close to the heart, to put my fingers to the keyboard and start typing.
Or planning a trip and need to pick the dates, reserve the AirBnB, or book a flight.
Or pick up the phone to call an old or new friend.
Just start is the most adaptable advice I’ve been given for each of these situations. Crossing the threshold to begin is something that no one can do for us. But we can offer each other the encouragement to just start.
I’ve come to see that starting is a true act of bravery. The outcome is at its most unknown. The pack is at its heaviest. The distance to the end is the longest. But I believe Newton’s first law of motion applies to all objects, people included: an object in motion stays in motion.
Just start. I practice with yoga. I know it’s going to stretch me. Literally. But also metaphorically so I can just start the next thing I need to do too.
Is there something you find hard to start? How do you do it?
I’ve published a related post on my personal blog: Mama, Why Would We Want to Feel Their Pain?
My other projects include hosting a podcast that features inspirational creatives and being part of a team that teaches/speaks about corporate creativity. My book about my journey to find what fueled my dad’s indelible spark and twinkle can be found on Amazon: Finding My Father’s Faith.
You can find me on Instagram and Twitter @wynneleon
love your analogy of Newton’s First Law applied to ourselves. That moment of initial momentum is crucial, and once we’re in motion, it’s easier to keep going. The key is overcoming that initial resistance.
That initial resistance — I love how you put that, muktaverma! Yes, building that momentum is so key. Thank you for reading and this insightful comment!
You are welcome
Yes, I love this! I hesitate at the start too, but once I get going, it’s not easy to keep going, whatever the task!
I’m heartened to know that you, with your “what do we have to lose” motto also experiences the hesitation at the start. But then we keep rolling, right?
This is just what I needed to start my day. We don’t need a full plan to move forward, just that first step.
Just the first step – exactly! Reminds me of that MLK quote. Thanks for reading and commenting, Erin!
I’m going to follow your advice Wynne. I have a meeting today that I don’t want to start . . . I’m going to just dive in. Wish me luck. Ha, ha.
I totally feel you, Brian! Good luck!
It went well! I wasn’t looking forward to it, but everything worked out fine! Silly me! Ha ha
Love this…just begin. Let the rest unfold. xo! 🥰
Let the rest unfold. Perfectly said, my friend!
🥰🥰🥰
Just Do It.
Yes, I borrow Nike’s tagline when I have an especially difficult task to start.
Perfect!
I am having trouble starting to gather all the info for 2023 taxes. We have a new CPA and my husband went from employee to having his own business in September. I’m overwhelmed. But I’ll just start. Good advice.
Oh, I can understand your reluctance on that one. Whew!
Thanks to you, I got started!
I try not to procrastinate, so I force myself to start whatever I am supposed to start. Sometimes it’s really hard but then I tell myself the sooner the better. Like when I have to go out under the rain with a strong wind to catch the subway like this afternoon. It wouldn’t be worth waiting because it’s going to rain until tomorrow night! So, let’s kick off and go!
“Let’s kick off and go!” I love it, Cristiana!
If I can let go of the outcome, or distract myself from thinking about the outcome, then I have a better chance of starting to write the book, put together a soufflé, or show up to a conference. Just start and see what happens. Hugs, C
Letting go of the outcome – that’s brilliant, Cheryl! Right!
This resonates so much.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Claudette!
Starting is so often the hardest part. Like you I push myself to start, and I often find halfway in that I’m right where I wanted to be with whatever it was that I was initially avoiding.
Halfway in it’s right where you wanted to be — you put that so well! Yes!
I loved this post, Wynne.i find starting back with something after absence for a long time the most difficult- like exercising – most challenging but you’re right, we just need to take that first step and it will be worth it. That’s what I keep telling myself anyway.
Good point about starting back in after an absence. Yes, that is so hard! The whole practice is hard. Sending many good wishes, Brenda!
That was one of the biggest things I took away from the book “Atomic Habits”. You can’t improve a habit that doesn’t exist. Sometimes getting started is the hardest part because we have to overcome the hurdles in our brain that tell us we can’t.
Whoa – you can’t improve a habit that doesn’t exist. So good! Thanks for adding that to the conversation!
I love this advice and believe in it so much that I’ve written a short book of sorts on the topic. What I need to just start now is doing something with it!
I often whine/ struggle to get started on my runs but once I get going I’m usually glad it did.
Great post Wynne!
What a tease about the book, Todd! I agree that once I start, I’m glad I did it. Well put!
The first step is always the hardest, and it could be about anything, but when I first press & push through the first step, it starts to flow and everything feels so much better later😂
It starts to flow – what a great description. Thanks, Parisa!
I have been struggling lately of flow with my work. Thank you for the insight. It helped a lot
I’m so glad to hear that. Best wishes and thanks for commenting!
True. Just Start. That’s it.
Right!