Just Get Started
We all have goals. Some of them can be pretty lofty, intimidating, or both. And that’s just fine — we should reach for what we really want — no matter how lofty or intimidating what we want is. That’s the first step in getting what we want.
But big goals (and even smaller goals) can be overwhelming. Even something as simple as “organize the bills” can make you want to just give up before you even start.
You stare at the pile, and it stares back at you. How should you organize those bills? Should they be by type? Year? Due dates? Alphabetical? Some combination of the above?
But I’ll tell you a little secret. It doesn’t matter where you start, or how you do it. What matters is that you just start doing it; anywhere, or any way.
Start where you are. The middle is fine. You can always change things later if it turns out you didn’t like how you did it or if you think of a better idea.
But if you don’t start, you’ll never make progress. Paralysis and procrastination will get you nowhere fast. So start where you are. It’s the perfect place.
I agree, especially with your last paragraph. Once I forgot to pay a bill before I went on vacation and I was so scared to call them about it. I procrastinated to the very end, when I did call they were like the bills not due until 15 days after its stated due date…it was the electric bill that is billed every 2 or 3 months. So 15 days after its due you can still pay with no penalty. So I was worried for nothing for a good week. boo!!
LenciB, well at least it did turn out that you worried for nothing. Better than worrying for something, although not worrying about it at all and just getting it done is ideal.
It took me 10 years to figure this out. I can’t imagine how my house would look if I still procrastinated as much as I did in my teens…
Budgeting, my house would probably look a lot neater if I reverted back to my teenage years, but that’s only because my mom made me straighten everything up every day ;)
Hi,
I have been doing a lot of reading lately about goals and motivation, and I think this sentence sums it up really: “Start where you are.” So often people spend forever trying to figure out how when to start or waiting for the perfect moment. If you do something each day (even if small) that takes you closer to your goal/s you will be in a much better position than most other people.
Michelle
Michelle, I agree, one small step every day gets you that much closer to your goals, and given enough time some amazing progress happens.