Today, I want to talk about something that’s been on my mind a lot lately as I reflect on my journey to lose weight, improve my well-being, and transform my body, mind, and spirit. It’s the simple yet incredibly powerful idea that in order to achieve our goals, we first have to get started. I know it sounds obvious, but if you’re like me, you’ve probably spent a lot of time thinking about what you want to achieve, planning for it, even dreaming about it—but when it comes down to it, actually starting can feel like the hardest part.
There’s a quote by W. Clement Stone that perfectly captures this struggle: “So many fail because they don’t get started – they don’t go. They don’t overcome inertia. They don’t begin.”
That hit me hard when I first read it, because it’s so true. We all have goals, big dreams, and visions for our lives. But the reality is that none of those dreams will ever come true if we don’t take that first step. We can plan all we want, but until we take action, those plans are just ideas on paper.
Why Getting Started Is the Hardest Part
I’ve been there. I know how it feels to want to change your life but be paralyzed by the fear of failure, uncertainty, or even just the enormity of the task ahead. When I first decided to transform my life, I spent a lot of time thinking about how hard it was going to be, how far I had to go, and how many times I had failed before. That mindset kept me stuck. I was so focused on the challenges ahead that I couldn’t see the simple truth: the only way to get to where I wanted to be was to start moving.
It’s easy to get caught up in planning, researching, and waiting for the perfect moment to begin. But here’s the thing—there is no perfect moment. There will always be reasons to put off starting, whether it’s a busy schedule, fear of failure, or just the comfort of staying in your current routine. But the longer we wait, the harder it becomes to break free from that inertia.
Overcoming Inertia and Taking That First Step
What finally got me started was realizing that the only way to overcome inertia was to take action, no matter how small. I had to stop waiting for everything to be perfect and just begin. So I did something simple: I set a small, manageable goal that I knew I could achieve, like going for a 10-minute walk or replacing one unhealthy snack with a healthier option. That first step wasn’t monumental, but it was a start.
Once I took that initial step, something amazing happened—momentum. With each small action, I started to build confidence and motivation. I realized that starting wasn’t as hard as I had built it up to be in my mind. And the more I moved forward, the easier it became to keep going.
The Power of Momentum
Starting may be the hardest part, but once you’re in motion, everything changes. You begin to see progress, however small, and that progress fuels your motivation to keep going. It’s like pushing a heavy boulder—getting it to move is tough, but once it’s rolling, it gains momentum and becomes easier to push.
I found that the more I committed to taking action, the more I wanted to continue. Each day, I would set small goals and achieve them, and over time, those small victories started to add up to significant progress. What once felt impossible now felt achievable, all because I had decided to get started.
Embrace the Journey
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of where to begin, I want to encourage you to take that first step, no matter how small. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, because it might never come. Start where you are, with what you have, and commit to moving forward one step at a time.
Remember, “So many fail because they don’t get started – they don’t go. They don’t overcome inertia. They don’t begin.” Don’t let that be your story. You have the power to change your life, but it all begins with the decision to start.
Your journey to transforming your body, mind, and spirit won’t happen overnight, but it will happen if you commit to taking consistent action. Embrace the process, celebrate your small wins, and trust that each step you take is bringing you closer to your goals.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started today, and together, we’ll achieve the transformation we’ve been dreaming of. You’ve got this, and I’m here cheering you on every step of the way!