Do you struggle to start projects? Do you know what you should be doing but procrastinate actually doing it?
I feel you!
Sometimes, taking that first step is challenging. This is often how I feel before beginning a blog or social media post.
It’s incredibly frustrating. I care about these projects, yet I find it difficult to get started.
If you relate to this, you’re in good company. In this post, I will break down some of the factors that make starting feel so hard (to help you better understand your experiences). Then, I will offer some tips to help you take action on your projects.
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Why Is Getting Started So Hard?
Understanding your experiences can help you gain clarity and find solutions. There are many factors that can make starting something new feel hard, including:
Overwhelm
This is especially the case when you focus on the end goal without knowing how you will achieve it.
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Limiting Beliefs
Our thoughts shape our reality. Unfortunately, negative thoughts, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and low self esteem can hold us back from doing the things we want to do.
Fear of Failure
Starting new endeavors can feel uncomfortable if you’re afraid of the outcome.
A vulnerable example: questioning my writing skills makes beginning these blog posts feel intimidating.
Keep an eye out for how these barriers show up in your own life. Fortunately, there are tools that can help you get to where you want to go, even when starting feels hard.
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How to Get Yourself to do the Things You Want to do (When You Find Starting Challenging)
Use these tips when you feel yourself procrastinating a project.
Stop Relying on Motivation.
Feeling motivated is amazing. But it’s unreliable. You never know when (or if) motivation will strike. It’s better to learn practices that make it easier to start regardless of how motivated you feel. Which brings us to the importance of momentum.
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Learn to Build Momentum
Instead of relying on motivation, start relying on momentum. Taking action builds momentum and gets you where you want to go.
Building momentum can look like taking the smallest first step (like opening a new Google Doc) and going from there. Once you take that first step, you can keep moving forward.
Use the 5-Second Rule
Mel Robbins’ 5-Second Rule is a helpful momentum-building practice. Essentially, you count down from 5, and as soon as you get to 1, you take action. This allows you to get started before your mind interjects with excuses.
It’s a simple, but effective tool.
For me, this can look like counting down 5-4-3-2-1 and then getting out of bed.
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Break it Down
Break your projects down into bite-sized pieces. It is much easier to commit to small, manageable tasks. And every small task you accomplish builds further momentum.
Clarify Your Goals
In addition to breaking your project down into small steps, ensure each step is clear. Vague goals are another barrier to getting started. When you don’t know what to do, there is a good chance you will do nothing.
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
I love creating step-by-step checklists to make projects feel manageable. Knowing exactly where to start makes starting that much easier.
Give Yourself Deadlines
Defined deadlines create a sense of urgency that pushes you to start. I know if I don’t give myself deadlines, I can drag projects on for longer than necessary.
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Use Positive Thoughts
As I mentioned earlier, your thoughts are very powerful. Instead of letting negative thoughts hold you back, flip it and use positive thoughts to hype yourself up!
Acknowledge Your Wins
Acknowledging every small win encourages you to keep moving forward. Every night, I write down my wins from the day. These can be as small as unloading the dishwasher or writing a few lines. These successes prove to your brain that you are capable of achieving great things and make you want to continue doing so.
I hope these tips help you start that exciting project you’ve been putting off!
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Life by Julia 