How many times have you thought about doing something but conveniently come up with a list of all the reasons why you shouldn’t? This doesn’t just apply to your big plans, it applies to those everyday little things too.

While I am certainly no expert here, there has been one recurring lesson I have learned over the years when putting off the big and small and that is, it feels a whole lot better to “just begin” than not to. I’d go even further to say the bigger it is, the better it feels when you actually start.

Imagine if we put the same time and effort into just starting than we did into rationalizing why we shouldn't, couldn't or can't?
I remember being so excited when I came across a part-time university program I thought would be the perfect gateway to a career change into retail buying. Shortly after the excitement, reluctance and worry made a: cameo appearance.  It went a little something like this:
“How could I possibly find the time to go back to school between work and family and life in general? When would I study and write papers? I haven’t been in a classroom for over ten years so I may not be able to keep up. These courses and books are pretty pricey. Will this certificate actually make a difference? Ahhh, maybe I don’t really need to do this.”

I dosed myself with a potent blend of trepidation until one day I couldn’t take it anymore. I decided the best way to put my mind to rest was to “just begin”. So, I started with one course.
Two years after I made that decision I finished. Believe me, I wanted to quit so many times. Like that time I got pregnant and was tossing my cookies on a regular. Or that time I had exams but was delirious from the lack of sleep that comes with baby number two. Or how about that time I lost my job or that time I started a new one? Each time I really wanted to curtsy out, but instead, I said to myself, just one more course until I finally finished.

It's been a few years now that I've had whispers in my ears to start a blog. Nonetheless, anytime I came close to committing I would rationalize all the reasons why I couldn’t. Does the world really need another blogger? But I’m busier than I’ve ever been, when would I have the time? Would my content be engaging? But it is so difficult to build an audience. I don’t know anything about building a website… and, and, and.

I decided silence the backtalk in my mind, take my own advice and give it a whirl. Let’s go back to "Imagine if we put the same time and effort into just starting than we did into rationalizing why we shouldn't, couldn't or can't?"

Although I still don’t have the answers to the questions that put me in turmoil, I stopped worrying and started doing.  I started doing test posts on my personal Instagram to gauge content, engagement and appetite. I would read how to build a website every chance I could while waiting in airport gates, late nights and during naptime (Thank You Google and Squarespace).  I started brainstorming in the shower, researching on lunch and debated blog templates, fonts and colour pallets early mornings before work with my gal pal sounding board. All these little steps were taken in the spirit of "just begin" eventually led me here, where things may not be perfect, but they are done. And done feels darn good!

I’m really into the relish and reward from the residual effect of “just begin and how it can quickly snowball into a major feat. I much prefer this feeling then my past potent doses of trepidation that would only lead to procrastination of something potentially wonderful.

So what’s your something? Whatever it may be, worry about it one last time, make peace with it and "just begin".  I think you'll be amazed at yourself.  

Thanks a bunch for popping in!