Start Where You Are…
So many times I will hear a client say, “As soon as I ________, I will __________.” For example, “As soon as I lose weight, I will start dating.” Or, “As soon as I have enough money to start saving, I will visit a financial planner.” Even, “As soon as I lose a little weight, I will start going to the gym.” How many times have you filled in the blanks with something you wanted to do for yourself?
Too many people wait to start. There are so many activities that we want to start but put off. Why do we do that? This is a procrastination tactic. We self-sabotage ourselves by thinking we need to do something before we start something. That is just not the case. If you want to start going to the gym, get a membership, and start going. Don’t make up obstacles for yourself. We have enough obstacles in life. Just start doing whatever you want to start doing.
In the words of Arthur Ashe, “Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.” You already have what it takes to start. You have to start somewhere, so use what you already have to your advantage. If you really do need to do something before you start, like taking piano lessons before you become a pianist, that’s one thing. But, stop making it harder to start something. Next time you tell yourself that you have to start a savings account before you see a financial planner, ask yourself why. Why are you putting up an extra obstacle? Are you afraid of something? Is it your ego? Are you trying to be perfect? Get to the root of the cause. Quit waiting for something to happen before you take action.
We tend to make things harder for ourselves instead of just starting. So, next time you decide you want to do something do it. What are you putting off right now? Stop putting it off and start where you are. After all, you have to start somewhere.
