You don’t have to be Great to Start, but you have to start to be great. ~Zig Ziglar
We all come into this world naked and not great at anything other than screaming to get our way.
It makes me wonder why it is that we seem to develop inferiority complexes and insecurities when we aren’t great at things in the snap of our fingers (oh how great it would be to be Mary Poppins for at least a day though☺️)
Why do we ever expect to even be good at brand new endeavors? We must allow ourselves an adjust time; even when returning to an old endeavor that has not be on the radar for a while. There is always a learning curve, even while working on the ones that we have just not yet given the amount of precious time necessary. Often the process is the point anyway. One thing is for certain is that we will not get anywhere if we don’t start. I can’t tell you how many times I have worn myself out on the treadmill of procrastination, legitimately feeling like I have been working on something because I have ran it through my head so many! Does anyone relate?
Start, my friend. Execute! Just DO it! Doing it over and over in your head is flat out exhausting. And, unfortunately those hours of contemplation in your head…they don’t count toward the results. Trust me, I’ve tried it. (For clarification: this last sentence was said in an “Eeyore tone”)
The opening quote by Zig Ziglar has been a favorite of mine for years! It is such a helpful reminder and such an encouragement! Of course, I must apply this advice when I stumble into that unknown territory, facing a decision of moving forward or not. I must apply it when I desire to intentionally go after an exciting new adventure! I must apply it when I’m pedaling as fast as I can on my procrastination bike away from going after a grueling task that I know needs to be completed or conquered. Maybe I am unfamiliar with the process to get it done and I just need to start with some research. Sometimes I may be somewhat familiar, I’m just downright fearful and I simply need to decide to face it head-on. Perhaps I am slightly apprehensive for reasons I can’t even detect. Often, the proposed effort appears, through my lens, to be a mountain that overshadows the possible result.
Well, then I better start climbing! Or pedaling the other way! Just start.
This uphill battle is no respecter of circumstance or endeavor. Anything we decide to pursue: a new job, parenting for the first time, a workout regime or weight loss program, a healthier eating plan, a new sport, working towards new goals, preparing a presentation, writing a paper on an unfamiliar subject, contacting new clients, building a clientele for the first time, decluttering, creating a portfolio, marketing yourself and your services. The list is endless. You fill in the blank. The key is to give yourself grace and space. Allow yourself the necessary growth process. When we succumb to the process the journey becomes so rewarding and fulfilling.
Every endeavor comes complete with a learning curve. I don’t know why we think or hope we can bypass the process. Some of the most valuable gems to uncover are in the process; so, just embrace it!
It’s as though we expect that somewhere in our amazing brain there must be a pre-written program that we can download from the database for a given scenario and put it to work. Research has proven that our brain is phenomenal with much-untapped potential. However research has also shown that by envisioning, believing, speaking, and most of all DOING, we will “write” the programs that our brain will follow.
We must start to be great! We will learn invaluable lessons and insights along the way, as we actually write the program for our brain to store for future uses.
Be encouraged that you don’t have to be Great to Start, but you definitely have to start to be great!
What are you putting off starting? Remind yourself why you considered starting in the first place, read this quote again and again, and START!
