Taking the first step, whether it’s on your health journey, looking for another job, setting a boundary, starting a new business, or getting started on your journey to become a better leader, is always the hardest. Usually fear keeps us from taking the step we know we need to take.
The first step is often the hardest because we look at the end goal and convince ourselves that there is no way that goal can be accomplished. We are afraid of failing, rejection, or even afraid of being afraid.
How do successful people achieve goals? They take one step at a time.
Eat the Frog?
Have you ever heard the phrase, eat the frog first? Mark Twain is credited with saying if the first thing you do in the morning is eat a live frog, you can go through the rest of the day knowing the worst is behind you. The idea is the frog is your scariest or worst task. If you do it first thing in the morning, then you can focus on what other, more enjoyable tasks throughout your day.
That “frog” can be as simple as an email. I have held off on writing an email to ask someone for an endorsement for my new book because I was afraid of rejection. I dreaded writing it all day, for too many days in a row. It stayed on my-to do list and didn’t move. Once I sent the email, I felt better.
It can be a phone call. I know talking on the phone is a lost art. Sometimes I don’t want to make the call even though it is something I am going to enjoy being a part of.
The first step could be doing research or connecting with a nutritionist or setting a timer for 10 minutes to look for a job that might be a better fit for you.
Shift Your Mindset
Remind yourself that by taking that first step it puts you closer to the end result. When you shift your mindset, it makes doing the task a little easier.
[bctt tweet=”When you shift your mindset, it makes doing the task a little easier.” username=”stephaniegerman”]
Don’t focus on all the steps you need to take, simply focus on the first step, or the next best step to take.
We are all in different seasons of our life. We all have dreams and goals we want to achieve. You don’t have to wait until the beginning of the year, beginning of the month, beginning of a new week to get started. You don’t have to stay stuck where you are at. Just take the first step in the process.
What is one step, the one next best thing you can do for you to move you towards your goals?
Stephanie
If you are a leader or emerging leader who wants to lead with meaning and purpose, then let’s connect. I would love to help you become a leader worth following.
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