Getting Started is the Toughest Part of the Job

Home
>
Motivation
>
Getting Started is the Toughest Part of the Job

Getting Started is the Toughest Part of the Job

One of the most challenging things about starting on a new project, goal or task usually isn't the planning, the thinking about it and the mapping it out. It is the doing! Actually taking the first step is often the most difficult part of any new endeavor.

I was reading a project manager's manual and found it interesting that listed, as one of the reasons projects fail, is lack of implementation. In others words - not starting the project was a major cause of its failure. Such is with life; we can have the best intentions and plans, but if we never start, nothing will happen.

I have noticed that, when I start a new project, procrastination sets in. I remember when I was writing my dissertation, my house was never cleaner. In fact, one day I was outside scrubbing down my kitchen garbage can with a toothbrush. My husband wanted to know what on earth I was doing. "I am avoiding working on my paper," I said. Getting started just seems to be the most challenging aspect of anything new.

My guess is one of the biggest reasons that starting is so challenging is the fear of the unknown. All the doubts and uncertainty can be overwhelming. Also, fear of not doing it right, or even not knowing what to do. The cure for all of these fears is action. Action is the enemy of fear. The best thing to do when fear sets in is to take action, and the secret is - any action will do. Just get moving and fear will move aside so that the beginning can start.

If getting started has you stunned with fear, take a deep breath and take one small action. Do something, anything. It doesn't matter what you do as long as you take action. Getting started is challenging, but once you do, you will build momentum that will keep you going.

Another trick that might help you is to get an accountability partner. Someone you will report to from time to time on your progress. It sounds silly, but you are more likely to start and stick with what you promise someone else, rather than just promising yourself. It is so easy to break a promise you make to you, but not as easy to do so when you have committed to a friend, a mentor or a coach. I have clients that hire me just for the accountability aspect, and it works!

Coach Rachelle Disbennett-Lee, PhD, is a Certified Master Coach specializing in working with business owners and professionals in being more profitable and productive while staying sane and balanced. Coach Lee is the publisher of the award winning e-zine, 365 Days of Coaching. Her first book, 365 Days of Coaching ? Because Life Happens Every Day (Universal Publisher, 2004) was named a finalist for Best Book 2004 by Publish.com and has a five star rating on Amazon.com.

Visit Coach Lee at her websites http://www.coachlee.com and http://www.365daysofcoaching.com

True Direction, Inc. Copyright
>>>This article along with byline attached may be freely republished

In The News:

MSU News
Need workout motivation? Try a virtual partner
msnbc.com
Don't sweat it — new research shows that even a virtual exercise partner might boost your motivation to exercise. Researchers found that women who biked alone experienced a decline in motivation over time, whereas those partnered with a virtual friend ...
With virtual pal, women double workoutsFuturity: Research News
Cyber partners help you go the distanceScienceBlog.com (blog)
Cyber exercise partners help you go the distanceMSU News

all 4 news articles »

Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia
Eagles' Jarrett 'motivated by pride' in year two
Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia
He knows the doubts remain, but he is using it as motivation. “I'm motivated by pride,” Jarrett said. “I've got a chip on my shoulder every day to be the best.” Jarrett never had it easy. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of New York with a ...

and more »

Soccer365 (press release)
City taunts motivate Cleverley
Soccer365 (press release)
Cleverley told the Daily Star: "The motivation is there, massively. It's our neighbours, our rivals. Nothing needs to be said to motivate ourselves. "Football seems to be the only talking point in Manchester at the minute. "When your neighbours are ...

and more »

Gary Allen's marathon motivation marked by decades of endurance
Bangor Daily News
Gary Allen trains along Sargent Drive in Northeast Harbor as part of his preparation for the Boston Marathon in 2010. Allen's recent finish of 2 hours, 59 minutes and 48 seconds in the Tacoma City Marathon marked the 65th time he has completed a ...

My View: Can tests motivate students? It depends on the test - and the student
CNN (blog)
They co-authored the report, “Student Motivation—An Overlooked Piece of School Reform." (CNN) – We're taking many steps as a nation to boost student achievement. We're raising academic standards, revising curricula, revamping low-performing schools ...

CBC.ca
Ian Thomsen: Boston Celtics look for motivation to lock in Game 6 win over 76ers
SI.com
By encouraging Sixers fans to attack him and his team, he was admitting that he needs the motivation. It will surely be offered as soon as he is introduced before Game 6. It will be up to Garnett and Rajon Rondo to drive their tired, injured team ...
Collins' words more motivation than barbThe News Journal
Collins goes to the archives for Game 6 motivationThe Mercury
Paul Pierce on Game 7: 'I like our chances'WEEI.com
FOXSports.com -SportingNews.com -Bleacher Report
all 2,809 news articles »

Channel 7 Daily News
Motivation For Youths
Channel 7 Daily News
They were there to hear a high-powered panel of professional motivational speakers from Mexico, United States, Cuba and Columbia. The idea was to educate the youths of Belize about the benefits of living a positive lifestyle and inspire them to do the ...

and more »

McKinney High Uses Difficult 2011 Football Season As Motivation Entering New ...
TownSquareBuzz.com
While it could be perceived as rock bottom for a very proud Texas high school football program, last season serves as a constant source of motivation for the 2012 Lions, who wrapped up the spring football season with the Blue vs.

and more »

Shape Magazine (blog)
Stay Motivated to Workout this Weekend
Shape Magazine (blog)
But if you don't want chasing said ice cream man to be the most exercise you get all weekend let your man (or your new summer fling) be your motivation! To keep things light and fun for the holiday here are a few quirky facts we gathered from our ...

USA TODAY
Lakers Underperformance Reflects Organizational Hardships Associated with ...
Forbes
Second, and more generally, what happened to the Lakers at season's end is really reflective of what typically happens in corporate America when an organization sees changes in leadership, changes in tactics, and faces problems in terms of motivating ...
Kobe Bryant's Prize for Losing in the Western Conference SemifinalsChip Chick
2012 NBA Free Agency: Why Andrew Bynum for Deron Williams Would Save the LakersBleacher Report

all 454 news articles »

Google News